WHAT ARE THE POLICE NOW DOING?

• NCJ Number: 44537
• Author(s): J R LILLY
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 23 pages
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: PRESENTED AT THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE SOCIETY FOR THE STUDY OF SOCIAL PROBLEMS, CHICAGO, IL, SEPTEMBER 2-5 1977

Annotation

THE NATURE OF SERVICE CALLS AND POLICE REPSPONSES DURING FEBRUARY THROUGH MAY OF 1976 AT THE NEWPORT, KY., POLICE DEPARTMENT IS EXAMINED.

Abstract

THE ANALYSIS OF ALL TELEPHONE CALLS RECEIVED BY THE DEPARTMENT DURING THE 4-MONTH STUDY PERIOD REVEALS THAT, AS HAS BEEN SHOWN FOR OTHER POLICE DEPARTMENTS, RELATIVELY FEW CALLS CONCERN LAW ENFORCEMENT MATTERS. ONLY 32 PERCENT OF ALL CALLS RESULTED IN THE DISPATCH OF CRUISERS OR DETECTIVES. MOST CALLS CONCERNED REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION. POSSIBLE EXPLANATIONS FOR THE LOW LEVEL OF LAW ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES IN A POLICE AGENCY SERVING A CITY IN WHICH THE CRIME RATE HAS DOUBLED SINCE 1965 ARE EXPLORED. ONE POSSIBLE EXPLANATION IS THAT THE PUBLIC HAS COME TO VIEW THE POLICE AS HAVING LIMITED UTILITY WITH REGARD TO LAW ENFORCEMENT AT A TIME WHEN THE POLICE HAVE COME TO VIEW THEMSELVES AS SPECIALIZED PROFESSIONALS WITH STRICTLY DEFINED RESPONSIBILITIES. THE IMPLIED RESULT IS A POSSIBLE NARROWING OF RELATIONSHIPS, WITH THE POLICE SERVING PRIMARILY AS A SOURCE OF INFORMATION. ANOTHER POSSIBLE EXPLANATION IS FOUND IN THE CHANGING CHARACTERISTICS OF THE NEWPORT POPULATION. THE FACT THAT THE CITY'S POPULATION HAS BECOME YOUNGER AND POORER MAY ACCOUNT FOR THE RELATIVELY LOW LEVEL OF LAW ENFORCEMENT-RELATED POLICE ACTIVITIES. SUPPORTING DATA AND A LIST OF REFERENCES ARE INCLUDED.