URBAN POLICE PROBLEMS (FROM COLLABORATION BETWEEN LAW ENFORCEMENT EXECUTIVES AND SOCIAL SCIENTISTS, 1975, BY L SILBERSTEIN AND T EISENBERG - SEE NCJ-59879)

• NCJ Number: 59880
• Author(s): P V MURPHY
• Date Published: 1975
• Length: 11 pages
• Corporate Author: National Conference of Christians and Jews, Inc
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

DESPITE THE MANY GRANTS LEAA HAS GIVEN POLICE FORCES TO IMPROVE THEIR OPERATIONS, FEW BASIC CHANGES HAVE BEEN MADE BECAUSE POLICE EXECUTIVES ARE OFTEN RESISTANT TO NEW IDEAS AND THE STATES AND PUBLIC ARE UNSUPPORTIVE.

Abstract

TO MAKE MATTERS WORSE, 'LAW AND ORDER' RHETORIC HAS TENDED TO OBSCURE THE LIMITATIONS OF POLICE IN DEALING WITH CRIME. ON THE POSITIVE SIDE, POLICE ARE NOW DEALING WITH MINORITIES IN A MORE ENLIGHTENED MANNER, CRISIS INTERVENTION TRAINING IS NOW COMMON, RIOT CONTROL PROCEDURES HAVE IMPROVED, AND SUCH TRENDS AS TEAM POLICING AND THE HIRING OF WOMEN SIGNAL A LESS RIGID VIEW OF THE POLICE ROLE. HOWEVER, MOST POLICE CHIEFS ARE A PRODUCT OF THE DEPARTMENT THEY NOW HEAD, HAVE LITTLE CHANCE FOR CAREER CHANGE OR DEVELOPMENT, AND ARE VERY CONSERVATIVE. MANY FEEL THREATENED BY YOUNGER, MORE EDUCATED OFFICERS. SINCE CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THESE YOUNGER OFFICERS ARE NOT ENCOURAGED, MANY LEAVE THE FORCE FRUSTRATED. POLICE DEPARTMENTS NEED TO STRESS EDUCATION, HIRE MORE CIVILIANS, AND CONVINCE THE PUBLIC THAT FIGHTING CRIME IS MORE COMPLICATED THAN INVESTING IN NEW EQUIPMENT. STATES NEED TO ACTIVELY WORK TO BRING MUNICIPAL DEPARTMENTS UP TO MINIMUM POLICING STANDARDS. THE MEDIA SHOULD ALSO BE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT ON THE NEW AND INNOVATIVE, INSTEAD OF CONFINING ITSELF TO STRAIGHT CRIME NEWS. POLICE AGENCIES NEED TO BE INCLUDED IN TOTAL COMMUNITY PLANNING AND BETTER METHODS NEED TO BE FOUND TO TRANSFER EXISTING KNOWLEDGE AMONG POLICE DEPARTMENTS. (GLR)