Surveys of various police departments revealed that their concept of public relations was largely restricted to occasional participation in religious, social, and cultural events in the community. However, local populations did not translate these public relations efforts into a more beneficient view towards the police force. The Sri Lankan police force, descended from a legacy of 150 years of British colonialism, still functions with officers who are poorly paid, marginally trained, and inadequately equipped. This study -- combining a glimpse of the daily police atmosphere with public perceptions of their role, effectiveness, and acceptance -- contends that police public relations rests on three principles of impartiality, courtesy, and understanding of the criminal and his socio-cultural environment. The respect with which law enforcement is viewed by the citizens relies to a great extent on the voluntary exercise of discretion by police officers in their physical, psychological, and monetary dealing with the public. 22 references.