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Role of Crime Victims in American Policing: Findings From a National Survey of Police and Victim Organizations

NCJ Number
198947
Journal
International Review of Victimology Volume: 9 Issue: 2 Dated: 2002 Pages: 175-195
Author(s)
Justin Ready; David Weisburd; Graham Farrell
Editor(s)
Susan Herman, David Weisburd
Date Published
2002
Length
21 pages
Annotation
This article describes the current state of knowledge of the relationship between victim organizations and police departments as a part of community policing in the United States.
Abstract
The information used in this study was obtained from a national survey of police departments and victim organizations carried out by the Police Foundation and the National Center for Victims of Crime. A broad picture of community policing partnerships was derived from the knowledge and experience of victims and their service providers. The authors' research shows that most police executives support involving victims in community policing, but at the same time report that interaction with the community in problem solving and crime prevention, without special attention being paid to who the victim is, is more productive. However, a significant number of police agencies support a broad spectrum of practices that focus on the victims of crime. In conclusion, the authors emphasize that a broad approach toward victims in crime solving and prevention by the police is essential to the development of partnerships between and police and victim organizations. Tables and supplementary description provide information on surveys completed by the top police executives; a sample of police departments by size and by region of the country; a sample of victim services organizations by region of the country; police executives' views on what crime victims can contribute to policing and to problem solving; police departments with victim-oriented policing practices and policies for specific types of crime; partnerships between police and victim organizations; and a logistical regression predicting police-victim organization partnerships. A source list of references is provided.