NCJ Number
103926
Date Published
1986
Length
27 pages
Annotation
Following a history of policing and a discussion of the multifaceted duties of police, a number of reforms for improving the safety of the streets, the patrol officer's main duty, are suggested.
Abstract
The police officer's burden could be eased by increasing the police presence on the streets and by permitting police to perform a leadership role in enforcing law and public order. Moreover, citizen participation in policing, a posse comitatus, could supplement police resources. In addition, greater Federal support is needed to crack down on drug trafficking and money laundering. Finally, Congress should revoke the U.S. Supreme Court's power to hear criminal appeals. This would help to relieve the backlog of cases and limit the Court to decisions involving truly constitutional issues. Additional suggestions are offered. 75 notes and references.