Police-community relations

Paul F. Cromwell, George Keefer

Collection of articles emphasizing the interaction between the policeman's conception of his role and his effect on society. The theme of this book is that 'social order', both through legal process and well ordered personal conduct, can only exist if there is a partnership between citizens of the community and the police. The purpose of a police community relations program is to establish such a partnership. Assistant professor Paul F. Cromwell, Jr. of San Antonio College, and police instructor George Keefer, who was a special agent of the FBI from 1942 to 1973, have collected in this volume up-to-date articles written for law enforcement publications on the subject of police-community relations. Chapter one deals with the police officer's role and function in modern urban society. His role is analyzed by psychologists, sociologists, other policemen, police professors, and lawyers. The second chapter moves into the psycho-social aspects of community relations. The articles deal with such topics as the 'police personality' and the value of sensitivity training for policemen in creating awareness of human rights and needs. Chapter three presents an overview of minority relations and the police and reviews the problems and presents suggestions and solutions for amelioration of tensions and hostilities. Finally, chapter four treats the problems of police-media relations, family intervention programs, civilian review boards, police selection and training, and police education.