This research examines the community relations division of a metropolitan police department. In essence, the department and division are hypothetical. The data upon which the examination are based, however, are actual. Data related to several metropolitan police departments and their community relations divisions were collected, and these data were synthesized for purposes of this research. Following this introduction, the relationship between the police department examined, and the community of which it is a part, is analyzed. Subsequent to this analysis, the organizational structure of the department is described, and this description is followed by an examination of the community relations division. The support for the division by other elements of the department is then considered. Lastly, conclusions as to the effectiveness of the department's community relations effort and recommendations for improvement are presented.
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DEPARTMENT AND COMMUNITY
The use of personnel especially designated to enforce laws
and maintain order - police - is a relatively recent phenomenon
(Olmos, 1984). In medieval England, as an example, an agent of
the crown called the reeve (the forerunner of the sheriff) primarily served warrants and collected taxes. Law and order was enforced by ordinary citizens, who responded when the hue and cry was raised by a victim or witness.
As many ordinary citizens would not respond to the hue and cry, many p
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= 11 (250 words per page)
