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 persons of means hired third parties to act as watch and ward over their property and personal safety. The modern field of policing evolved from this watch and ward practice.
The establishment of a hired police force tended to separate law enforcers from the ordinary citizen, and the adoption of a military model by the vast majority of tax supported police forces further widened the gulf between the uniformed officer and the ordinary citizen (Bordua, & Reiss, 1...