ROLE OF POLICE IN POLLUTION CONTROL (FROM CRIME AND JUSTICE IN AMERICA - CRITICAL ISSUES FOR THE FUTURE, 1979, BY JOHN T O'BRIEN AND MARVIN MARCUS - SEE NCJ-62849)

• NCJ Number: 62864
• Author(s): M STALLEY; T B SHELTON; B E KLINE
• Date Published: 1979
• Length: 10 pages
• Corporate Author: Pergamon Press, Inc
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

POLICE ACTIVITY IN ENFORCING POLLUTION CONTROL IS ADVOCATED, AND STEPS FOR IMPROVING POLICE PERFORMANCE IN ENFORCING POLLUTION STANDARDS ARE SUGGESED.

Abstract

MUCH OF THE POLLUTION CONTROL LEGISLATION IS NOT BEING EFFECTIVELY ENFORCED. POLICE ARE AN APPROPRIATE AGENCY TO EXTEND AND IMPROVE ENFORCEMENT, SINCE THEY ARE EXPERIENCED IN LAW ENFORCEMENT AND HAVE PROVEN THEIR ABILITY TO ACQUIRE TECHNICAL SKILLS. POLICE DEPARTMENTS ARE VIEWED AS PUBLIC SERVICE AND REFERRAL AGENCIES, AND THEIR EQUIPMENT AND WORK ROUTINE ARE APROPRIATE FOR THE TASK. TO DATE, HOWEVER, THEY HAVE DONE RELATIVELY LITTLE ENFORCEMENT OR REFERRAL IN THE AREA OF POLLUTION CONTROL. AREAS WHERE POLICE DEPARTMENTS APPEAR TO BE DEFICIENT IN ENFORCING VIOLATIONS OF ORDINANCES ARE THOSE RELATING TO AUTO EMISSIONS, AUTO NOISE LEVELS, OPEN BURNING, AND ILLICIT DUMPING. SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPROVING POLICE OPERATIONS IN THIS AREA INCLUDE THE INSTITUTION OF ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION IN IN-HOUSE AND ACADEMY TRAINING PROGRAMS, PROVISION OF SPECIALIZED TRAINING IN A POLICE ACADEMY, UNIVERSITY, OR ENVIRONMENTAL AGENCY FOR OFFICERS SELECTED FOR SPECIAL DUTY IN DEALING WITH POLLUTION VIOLATIONS, THE ESTABLISHMENT OF DEPARTMENTAL POLICY THAT GIVES PRIORITY TO THE ENFORCEMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS, AND THE CREATION OF FORMAL RELATIONS WITH ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCIES TO HELP PROVIDE POLICE WITH THE NECESSARY LEGAL AND TECHNICAL INFORMATION TO ASSIST IN ENFORCING POLLUTION CONTROL LAWS. NOTES, REFERENCES, AND A BIBILIOGRAPHY ARE PROVIDED. (RCB)