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POLICE AND THEIR MANY PUBLICS

NCJ Number
35088
Author(s)
D W MCEVOY
Date Published
1976
Length
154 pages
Annotation
THE AUTHOR ARGUES THAT EFFECTIVE CRIME PREVENTION AND CONTROL ARE DEPENDENT ON A COOPERATIVE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN POLICE AND THE COMMUNITY, AND MAKES SUGGESTIONS ON WAYS TO ACHIEVE THIS POLICE-COMMUNITY COOPERATION.
Abstract
THE AUTHOR STATES THAT A TRUST RELATIONSHIP RESULTS WHEN THE POLICE UNDERSTAND THE HUMAN DYNAMICS AND CULTURAL PATTERNS OF THE COMMUNITIES IN WHICH THEY WORK. THERE IS NO MONOLITHIC AMERICAN PUBLIC, HE CONTENDS, BUT RATHER A MOSAIC OF MULTIPLE PUBLICS WHICH MAKE UP THE WHOLE. EACH CULTURE AND SUB-CULTURE IS AS MUCH A PART OF THE AMERICAN FABRIC AS ANY OTHER. HE STATES THAT POLICE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES MUST BE TAILORED TO THE NEEDS AND ASPIRATIONS, AND ENHANCE THE FREEDOM AND DIGNITY, OF EACH OF THESE DIVERSE GROUPS. THE AUTHOR APPLIES THIS PREMISE TO MATTERS OF POLICE RECRUITMENT, TRAINING, ORGANIZATION AND MANAGEMENT. HE ALSO OFFERS SPECIALIZED SUGGESTIONS IN THE ADAPTATION OF POLICE PROCEDURES IN DEALING WITH ETHNIC MINORITIES, YOUTH, AND SCHOOLS. PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS ARE PROVIDED TO OFFICERS ON HOW TO HANDLE THE RESENTMENTS AND HOSTILITIES THEY OFTEN FACE ON THE JOB, AND ON HOW TO DEFUSE POTENTIALLY EXPLOSIVE SITUATIONS. WHILE THE BOOK IS DIRECTED TOWARD THE PROFESSIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT PRACTITIONER, IT SHOULD BE OF INTEREST TO ALL WHO ARE CONCERNED WITH THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE IN A DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)