NCJ Number
68982
Journal
International Criminal Police Review Volume: 35 Issue: 335 Dated: (FEBRUARY 1980) Pages: 42-58
Date Published
1980
Length
17 pages
Annotation
THE IDEA OF POLICING IN A DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY, THE CONCEPT OF POLICE-COMMUNITY RELATIONS, AND THE TRAINING AND ACTIVITIES OF THE ROYAL CANADIAN MOUNTED POLICE THAT PROMOTE GOOD POLICE-COMMUNITY RELATIONS ARE DISCUSSED.
Abstract
A REVIEW OF POLICE HISTORY IN GREAT BRITAIN AND CANADA SHOWS THAT CRIME PREVENTION AND CITIZEN RESPONSIBILITY FOR LAW AND ORDER ARE THE TWO CORNERSTONES OF THE POLICE IDEA IN A DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY. IN THE PAST, POLICE FUNCTIONS WERE FULFILLED BY CITIZENS IN THE COMMUNITY, AND ALTHOUGH POLICE DEPARTMENTS HAVE SINCE BEEN ESTABLISHED, THE CANADIAN CRIMINAL CODE INCLUDES SECTIONS THAT ASSURE CITIZENS' RIGHTS TO PROTECT THE COMMUNITY AND PREVENT A BREACH OF THE PEACE. HOWEVER, THE CONTEMPORARY LACK OF PUBLIC CONCERN AND SUPPORT HAS HAMPERED THE ADVANCEMENT OF MORE EFFECTIVE METHODS OF PREVENTING CRIME AND BRINGING OFFENDERS TO JUSTICE. EFFECTIVE POLICE-COMMUNITY RELATIONS ARE A SHARING PROCESS IN WHICH THE PUBLIC AND THE POLICE CAN OBTAIN BETTER UNDERSTANDING, DEMONSTRATE A WILLINGNESS TO PARTICIPATE IN WORKING TOWARD THE SOLUTION OF COMMUNITY PROBLEMS, AND CREATE AN ATMOSPHERE IN WHICH THIS SHARING PROCESS MAY BE WITNESSED ON A CONTINUING BASIS. RELATIONS CAN BE PROMOTED (1) IN THE COURSE OF A POLICEMAN'S EVERYDAY DUTIES; (2) THROUGH PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO PROMOTE COMMUNITY RELATIONS AND OBSERVANCE OF THE LAW, SUCH AS LECTURES, WORK WITH BOYS' CLUBS, OR SAFETY PROGRAMS; AND (3) THROUGH THE POLICEMAN'S COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT AS A CITIZEN. THE ROYAL CANADIAN MOUNTED POLICE CONTINUOUSLY RECEIVE TRAINING DIRECTED TOWARD UNDERSTANDING PEOPLE BOTH AS INDIVIDUALS AND IN THE COMMUNITY. ACTIVITIES WHICH ENCOURAGE POLICE-COMMUNITY RELATIONS INCLUDE THE SCHOOL VISITATION PROGRAM, PARTICIPATION IN TELEVISION AND RADIO PROGRAMS, THE DISTRIBUTION OF CRIME PREVENTION PAMPHLETS, ENCOURAGEMENT OF OPERATION IDENTIFICATION PROGRAMS, BICYCLE SAFETY PROGRAMS, AND THE PUBLICATION OF ARTICLES CONCERNING POLICE-COMMUNITY RELATIONS. THE POLICE TRAINING PROGRAM IS DETAILED, 23 REFERENCES AND TRAINING CHARTS ARE PROVIDED.