NCJ Number
64459
Journal
Schriftenreihe der Polizei-Fuehrungsakademie Volume: 6 Issue: 1 Dated: (1979) Pages: 53-69
Date Published
1979
Length
17 pages
Annotation
THE ETHICAL DIMENSIONS OF POLICE STRATEGY IN WEST GERMANY ARE EXPLORED.
Abstract
THE FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLE UNDERLYING POLICE WORK IS RESPECT FOR HUMAN DIGNITY. THE POLICE AS WELL AS THE CONSTITUTION ARE VIEWED AS THE VEHICLES OF BASIC CHRISTIAN NORMS. INDIVIDUAL POLICE DECISIONS AND ACTIVITIES SHOULD BE CHARACTERIZED BY ACTIVE PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY ESPECIALLY IN THE FACE OF CONFLICTS OF CONSCIENCE. THE GOAL OF POLICE OPERATIONS IS THE MAINTENANCE OF THE LEGAL ORDER WHICH ITSELF HAS AN ETHICAL BASIS. POLICE CAN BEST ACHIEVE THIS OBJECTIVE BY AVOIDING CONFRONTATIONS AND VIOLENCE WHENEVER POSSIBLE, BY ENCOURAGING COOPERATION IN CARRYING OUT UNIFORM POLICE STRATEGIES, BY MAINTAINING AWARENESS OF POLICE INTERNAL SECURITY OBJECTIVES, BY DEVELOPING PREVENTION PROGRAMS TO DISCOURAGE VIOLENT BEHAVIOR AS A MEANS OF PROBLEM SOLVING, AND BY ADOPTING A STRATEGY TO COMBAT TERRORISM WHICH IS AT ONCE DECISIVE, FLEXIBLE, AND UNCONVENTIONAL TO KEEP UP WITH CHANGES IN THE TERRORIST SCENE. A CLOSE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE COMMUNITY, COORDINATION AND COOPERATION AMONG ALL SECURITY AGENCIES, AND RESPONSIBLE LEADERSHIP ARE ALSO NECESSARY FOR EFFECTIVENESS. EFFICIENT LEADERSHIP DEPENDS ON POLICE MANAGEMENT STAFFS CONTROL CENTRAL OFFICES, EQUIPMENT, AND INFORMATION SERVICES, AS WELL AS PERSONNEL NEEDS AND INTERNAL OPERATIONS; ONLY WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF SUCH A STAFF CAN THE POLICE MANAGER REACH SOUND DECISIONS AND FULFILL HIS RESPONSIBILITIES. THE EXPANSION OF PLANNING ACTIVITIES FOR POLICE MANAGEMENT STAFFS IS A PREREQUISITE FOR CONSISTENT POLICE STRATEGY AND FULFILLMENT OF FUTURE GOALS. IMPROVED TRAINING AND CONTINUING EDUCATION FOR ALL POLICE OFFICERS IS RECOMMENDED. A BRIEF BIBLIOGRAPHY IS SUPPLIED. --IN GERMAN. (KMD)