PROFESSIONALISM IS DEFINED AS THE EXERCISE OF DEVELOPED SKILL OR PROFICIENCY AT SOME TASK. THE BROAD POLICE TASKS OF CRIME SOLVING, CRIME PREVENTION, AND SOCIAL CONTROL IN A PLURALISTIC SOCIETY WITH COMPLEX SOCIAL PROBLEMS REQUIRES THE DEVELOPMENT OF EXCEPTIONAL SKILLS IN A NUMBER OF AREAS. SCIENTIFIC ADVANCES IN EVIDENCE ANALYSIS AND COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY, ALONG WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF SPECIALIZED PROFESSIONS IN CRIMINALISTICS, HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO A HIGH DEGREE OF PROFESSIONALISM IN CRIME-SOLVING TASKS. POLICE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES ALSO HAVE REACHED AN IMPRESSIVE DEGREE OF PROFESSIONAL PERFORMANCE. THE SOCIAL CONTROL ASPECTS OF POLICE WORK, HOWEVER, ARE BELIEVED TO LACK PROFESSIONALISM. POLICE SKILLS NECESSARY TO PREVENT CRIME AND DETER DESTRUCTIVE BEHAVIOR ARE LACKING IN MOST FRONTLINE POLICE PERSONNEL. ONE DEPARTMENTAL CHANGE SUGGESTED TO IMPROVE THIS SITUATION IS THE CESSATION OF THE RIGID, MILITARISTIC, STEREOTYPED APPROACH TO POLICE TASKS WHICH DISCOURAGES INNOVATION AND ANALYSIS BASED UPON THE KNOWLEDGE AND TECHNIQUES OF THE BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES. IT IS BELIEVED THAT ONLY IN THIS WAY CAN POLICE DEPARTMENTS ATTRACT AND RETAIN INTELLIGENT AND SENSITIVE PERSONNEL WHO WISH TO BE PART OF A PROFESSIONAL APPROACH TO SOCIAL CONTROL. IT IS SUGGESTED FURTHER THAT THERE BE GREATER INVOLVEMENT BY SOCIAL AND BEHAVIORAL SCIENTISTS, JUDGES, MAGISTRATES, CRIMINOLOGISTS, CORRECTIONAL WORKERS, AND LAWYERS IN THE BASIC TRAINING OF POLICE SO THEY WILL BE EXPOSED TO A BROAD RANGE OF THINKING ABOUT THE COMPLEX TASK OF HANDLING INDIVIDUAL AND SOCIAL BEHAVIOR. CONTINUING EDUCATION IS RECOMMENDED AS ESSENTIAL IN THE LIGHT OF RAPIDLY CHANGING LEGAL FRAMEWORKS AND SOCIETAL TRENDS. IT IS BELIEVED THAT THE AMOUNT OF KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL REQUIRED BY THE CONTEMPORARY PROFESSIONAL POLICE OFFICER ALSO NECESSITATES ADVANCED DEGREE STUDIES. DEPARTMENTAL TUITION SUBSIDIES TO ENCOURAGE THIS ARE RECOMMENDED. (RCB)