Author Description

Contending that effective law enforcement depends upon cooperation between the police and the public, this book takes a critical look at the problems of police-community relations, and the programs being implemented to resolve them. In the process, it challenges many of the traditional approaches to law enforcement, and offers a new definition of the role of the police. The authors, both former police officers, begin by defining the police and the community. They examine the perceptions the police and community have of each other. Using personal experiences and anecdotes, they develop a portrait of the police recruit and his socialization into the world of law enforcement. A study of the diverse facets of the community is included. This section provides important insight into the basic problems between the police and the community. In part two, the authors describe and evaluate the different programs being used to improve police-community relations, such as community service officers, youth patrols, community councils, and storefronts. It is in this section that the important concepts of conflict management and crisis intervention as basic responsibilities for police officers are presented, and alternative strategies for dealing with crisis situations are discussed. Other important discussions cover stress situations that contribute to police-community alienation, a more comprehensive approach to the patrol function of law enforcement, and the problems of recruiting minorities for police work. The document concludes with an in-depth discussion of the concept of team policing and its practical application. The Holyoke model, a plan found to be most effective both from the standpoint of police efficiency and client approbation, is examined carefully.