NCJ Number
75599
Date Published
1977
Length
31 pages
Annotation
According to this paper, which comments on the relationship between the police and the public in New Zealand from the point of view of the police, community-based prevention programs are needed to fight increases in violent crime.
Abstract
Violent crimes are on the increase in New Zealand. For example, more offenders carry firearms when committing such crimes as theft, burglary and robbery. The new phenomenon involving the use of explosives, bomb threats and hoaxes has also appeared. Gangs and gang warfare cause fear in public places. New Zealand has addressed the problem of criminal violence by updating and modernizing its approach to the peace-keeping problem. For example, a training development unit has been established to reexamine the role of the police and redefine the skills required of police officers. To maintain continuous contact with the public at a time when the police service relies on mobile patrols, mature and reliable constables have been appointed as local community liaison officers. The increasingly unlawful behavior of children and adolescents has been recognized by the establishment of the youth aid section of the police, which has educational, preventive and rehabilitative goals. The joint team acts as intermediary between community and juvenile delinquents. However, the efforts of the police are not sufficient to solve the problem. A multipronged attack by all segments of the community is required as well as an acceptance that the problems of society are caused by society and that only a joint public-police partnership will eradicate them. Statistical data is included and appended.