NCJ Number
48838
Date Published
1977
Length
57 pages
Annotation
THE DEVELOPMENT OF A 'POLICE-COMMUNITY EXCHANGE SCALE' TO MEASURE POSITIVE INTERACTIONS BETWEEN POLICE AND CITIZENS AND THE USE OF THIS SCALE TO DESIGN A POLICE NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICE CENTER ARE DESCRIBED.
Abstract
THIS DESCRIPTION OF A 3-YEAR PROJECT FOR THE WICHITA, KANSAS, POLICE DEPARTMENT IS DIVIDED INTO FOUR PARTS. THE FIRST CONTRASTS TRADITIONAL POLICE-DEVELOPED PROGRAMS WITH THE NEW EMPHASIS ON CITIZEN PARTICIPATION IN COMMUNITY RELATIONS PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT. THE SECOND DESCRIBES THE DEVELOPMENT OF A COMMUNITY-CENTERED RESEARCH INSTRUMENT, THE POLICE-COMMUNITY EXCHANGE SCALE. THE INSTRUMENT WAS ADMINISTERED TO A RANDOM SAMPLE OF 1,000 CITIZENS AND THE ANSWERS WERE USED TO HELP DESIGN A POLICE COMMUNITY RELATIONS PROGRAM. THE THIRD SECTION DESCRIBES THE PROGRAM, A NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICE CENTER. THE CENTER HAD THREE POLICE OFFICERS SUPERVISING 30 STUDENTS FROM WICHITA STATE UNIVERSITY. THE DESIGNATED IMPACT AREA HAD 25,804 RESIDENTS, MOST OF WHOM NEEDED CONCRETE HELP WITH REFERRAL TO SOCIAL SERVICE RESOURCES, UNDERSTANDING OF POLICE DEPARTMENT FUNCTIONS, AND TWO-WAY COMMUNICATION WITH THE POLICE. THE CENTER PROVIDED LEGAL EDUCATION, GENERAL COUNSELING, REFERRAL TO PUBLIC AGENCIES, AND HELPED START YOUTH PROGRAMS. NEIGHBORHOOD MEETINGS WERE HELD TO DISCUSS POLICE-COMMUNITY PROBLEMS. THE CENTER WAS STRICTLY A HELPING ORGANIZATION AND WAS NEVER USED AS A POLICE SUBSTATION OR AS A DETENTION FACILITY. IF A CITIZEN NEEDED POLICE ENFORCEMENT, THE APPROPRIATE CRIMINAL ENFORCEMENT UNIT OF THE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED. FLOW CHARTS ELABORATE THE ORGANIZATION OF THE CENTER. RECRUITMENT AND TRAINING OF THE STUDENTS IS DETAILED. THE FINAL SECTION DISCUSSES THE DEMISE OF THE PROJECT WHEN OUTSIDE LEAA FUNDING WAS DISCONTINUED. THE IMPORTANCE OF UTILIZING CITIZEN INPUT WHEN DESIGNING A PROGRAM IS EMPHASIZED, AND THE IMPORTANCE OF INSTITUTIONALIZING FUNDING BEYOND THE INITIAL GRANT PERIOD IS DISCUSSED. A BIBLIOGRAPHY IS APPENDED. (GLR)