NCJ Number
85961
Date Published
1980
Length
220 pages
Annotation
Participants at an international convention look at the problems of policing in a free society, particularly in the face of recent terrorist activities. Representatives from the United States, Italy, France, West Germany, several African and Middle Eastern countries, and other nations participated.
Abstract
Participants note that the public and the courts play a role in policing, and many suggest that their influence should be expanded. One delegate discusses her theory of cognitive dissonance and suggests that all police decisions involve dissonance. Others evaluate the effectiveness of crime prevention publicity campaigns and examine the impact of terrorism on policing in West Germany. Italy's 'Guardia di Finanza' corps gave a demonstration of their air-sea combined operations to prevent the smuggling of contraband ashore. In roundtable discussions, delegates look at the extent to which nations go to promote collective well-being at the expense of personal freedom, at numerous police administration issues, and at financial concerns. Delegates agree that police should play only a consultative role vis-a-vis the legislature, oppose continued centralization of police forces, call for different recruitment methods, and favor the creation of a cadre of officers in each police force specializing in international cases. No references are cited.