"1968 - The Year or Total Community
Involvement"
by
Thomas Reddin, Chief or Police
Los Angeles, California
Por almost a year now, we have been placing a new and ditterent
kind or emphasis on our Community Relations program, We have now
accumulated enough experience to make an inventory necessary.
Atter an evaluation, plans must be made tor the critical year ahead.
In some respects, we are entering a second phase. Por the ~irst
time our Department has a foundation established to provide an
ettective Community Relations program.
So our being here together today represents an important event.
But there is an urgency to our task. Never has our social order
hung in suoh a delicate balance. Those ot us who have a major part
ot the governmental responsibility tor this social order are
confronted with new kinda ot problems as well as familiar ones ot
increased intensity. Consequently, we simply cannot assume that
traditional methods are adequate . O~ the contrary, we must
reevaluate old methods and develop innovations that will make us
more ettective. Incidentally, there are those wbo claim that an
innovative, creative m1nd is d1tt1cult tor those who are accustomed \
\ I ·-- to the exercise ot authority. Whether this ia valid or not, ,ftft \
k
n•w -ldeaa and give them intellectual oonaideration rather than \ ~ting them out ot band on an emo.tionaJ. 1~-••P· ... _ ... __ You who have
2
pioneered in community relations have already given ample evidence
that you are willing to experiment and develop new approaches .
Por the first time, you who pioneered in the Department ' s ettorta
are being asked to review your experience, and from this, asaiat
in several very urgent tasks o
Your individual and collective experience in the field or community
relations is unequalled. Now you must build upon it by reviewing
your various activities and deciding which ot them are moat
productive. By now, I am sure that you have discovered the
relative value or various programs and activities o Your assignment
ot priorities to these will be valuable in determining tuture
program emphaaiso We will need to focus on those which are goal­oriented
and otter the greatest possible returns . You vill be
forced to make choices since it is obvious we do not have enough
resources tor all ot them . But betore we get involved in program
deaign, we must first olar1i"y the primary goal and secondary
objectives or our Community Relations program. This I would
suggest as the tirat order ot business . I am hopetul that thia
presentation will give you con siderable help in this process.
This ia my tirst opportunity to express to all ot you my awareness
ot the importance ot your contributions to the Department and our
community. Thtf~ · relative calm our community has enjoyed is in
great measure a reward tor your involvement in the ~ ommunity
relations etrorts . I have watched with great interest the
promotions or you who have pioneered in community relations .
3
The quality or persona who succeed you is evidence or the prestige
you have given to the program. I am pleased to see that you
apparently consider this assignment to be part ot your executive
development, because that is the way in which I view it. I am
particularly pleased by the leadership ot Deputy Chiet Simon as
he haa developed increased involvement ot the uniformed otticer
in ·1arious parts ot the program .
'l'hia all adda up to a oonv1ct1on that we stand at the threah~ld
ot a moat constructive year in our relationships with the community .
Beoauae or this, I would like to describe this coming year as
•1968--The Year or Total Community Involvement." Thia would aeelll
to be an appropriate basic theme tor this seminar.
Now let me tirst express some ot my personal philosophy and attempt
to put our police mission into perspective within the setting or
today's society.
The Declaration ot Independence states in part that • ••• all men are
created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain
unalienable Rights, that among theae are Lite, Liberty, and the
pursuit ot Happiness.• It goes on to state •'!'bat to aeoure th•••
rights, Governments are instituted among Men • •• • •
'!'he police are an integral element ot t~ia total governmental
process. We have been delegated certain apecitic reapona1b1litiea
4
and cannot function independently nor can we exist apart from this
governmental entity .
Initially the responsibility ror "domestic tranquility• rested
upon the individual citizen and hia family, but the increased
complexity ot our society haa resulted in the creation ot a pro­tesaional
police service. Despite this delegation, the individual
citizen cannot divest himself or the primary responsibility tor
making our society a livable one.
The introductory phrase to the Constitution ot the United States,
•we, the people• needs to be implemented it in tact a government
•or the people, by the people, tor the people• is to become a
reality. Pormal methods to achieve citizens' involvement have
been eatabliahed auch aa the ballot, the initiative, and reterendum.
However, other methods muat be developed 1n order to make poaaible
continuous c011111un1cat1on between institutional government and ita
conatituenta. Relatively little is known about the processes by
which the members or a complex society can indeed become part ot
this proceaa. Nevertheless, it is apparent that the ingred1enta
ot thia process consist ot etrective two-way communication, a mutual
development ot 1naighta, and a nurture or truat, oontidence, and
respect. When such a foundation haa been established, then methods
muat be developed ao that the entire community can strive together
to establish not just a livable society, but one which makea
possible the achievement or the goals set torth aa the reason tor
the rounding or this country. Police Community relations 11 part ot
this process.
5
This then leads us to an attempt to briefly define the term
"police community relations .., " I 9 m sure you will want to cl ~r if·•
and enlarge upon it, but h ere's the essence or it o The degree
ot social order needed by our kind of society can only be achieved
by the participation or all persons o Social control ia a shared
reapons1b111ty o We as the police are part ot the governmental
proceaa ot social control necessary to a livable society o Notice,
I didn't say an ideal society because our kind or democratic society ;
doesn't guarantee a perfect society, nor does it guarantee that
each person will necessarily achieve his goals o What it does hope
to do ia to make it possible tor each person to pursue 8 lite,
liberty, and happiness" with dignity and within the rules or the
game o
It we really mean what we say about •social order,• "law and order,•
•domestic tranquility," or however you want to describe it, as
being a Joint responsibility of all members of the community, then
there muat be some method ot activating this partnership .and some
way ot getting "total involvement o" Reduced to simplest terms,
this is your task ~ The designing or methods, programs, activities,
and organizations whereby there ean in tact be a partnership
between the citizen and the polic~man o To someone who hasn't
shared your experience, this may sound relatively simple o Yet aa
we receive incrtrasing evidence or a tremendous desire to help our
Department, we discover that we don't have an adequate response to
the frequently asked question, "What can I do to help!"
6
Thare are those in our communit y by the thousand who would like
to pose this question personally. Until now they have lacked a
method or communication. Still others might be described as being
uncertain or their desire to become identified with us. They are
s earc~in s~ ror evidence which would provide the basis tor mutual
tru3t, ~esn ~ct , and understanding. There are forces at work today
in o ~ r s cciety which work contrary to this. They would divide,
1nt:'.:1i::2 atg, :ind des t roy. We don't have t t:!:! tirr.~ ?or a complete
re\<~ . ! of t:-_.J se influences. llevertheless, while they are be'cominsz;
ea~ter· to 1:! entity, we need to avoid the pitfall or over-s1i!
l~' l!.t'ication which would include all or our cr1 tics in this latter
cat ~~ ory. ~here a~e some ot our critics who seek a basis tor
conr!dence and understanding. So in some respects, communication
wit ~ these who are critical and skeptical--while looking tor resolution
of proble~s and contlict--should be given high priority.
In an~ event, the net errect or all these divisive, d1~ru~t1ve,
sometimes destructive influences is conflict. Thia conflict is
ao?oetimes in the rorm of mass confrontations re!!ulting in violence.
~ore frequently it shows itself in a society in ferment, co~posed
or individuals who themselves are sometimes in turmoil, and who
vent their truatrations on the individual police office~. Included
among these are persons who are described by the a~ciolog1sts as
th~ "alien ated"--those who don't identity with our aociety~the
1~onout, the subversive, t he revolutionist, whatever the label.
Wh atever the cause or its overt manifestation, there are some who
1
are uncommitted. Many others would like to express their support
but lack the opportunity. This is what oommunity relations is
all about--to provide an opportunity tor total community involvement
in the process or making our streets, our homes, our persons sate.
Community relations muat not be viewed aa an apolog)' tor etteative, j
aggre9aive police work where such is neoeaaary. Unfortunately. /
many or our orricers have not yet been given enough information
about the concept of co~unity relations. They do not realize that
•
it is an errort to gain them community support. It is an ettort
to find a substitute tor the loss or other resources in the tight
against crime. It is an ettort to involve the resources or the
totai co:n.~unity. You, as Division Commanders. CoDDDunity Relations
Otf1cera, and Youth Services Otticera, must become part ot the
prqcess or communicating these concepts to your otticers. Thia
will require that you spend time at "roll-call•" in the cottee
roo~, and in the back seat of a radio car. It is equally important
that you involve your personnel in some ot your program. Moat or
all, it requires that you have an understanding and acceptance or
the concept.
The democratic process provides formal methods tor its citizens to
exer~ influence on the governmental proceaa. Nevertheless. even
to the well informed, politically astute citizen. 'those or ua in
government must on occasion seem remote. Size alone in a metro­politan
area such as ours can account tor this. Thia ia compounded
' I
8
by an absence or channels or communication, and by the presence
in our society of ~a n v ~ ereons who have not acquired the motivation,
t h e ab ility , or the opp ortunity to exert i nfluence through con struct1Vl
cha.n:--.els . Everyda y events dramatically i n dicat ~ the urgency ot
~~ tabl ishin g these c hannels with persons in our communit y.
P~rt~ c u lar em phas iJ must be p laced upon those wh ose previous
indi ffaren c~ , pas siveness, or lack or opportunity, have been
: ranstcl"fn ed into imp atience or even h ostility. Portunately, there
a re more wh~ desire to become a c onstructive influence i n our .
society. Unless ~.,e in g overnment can create these communicat i on
channels, ~ hen th c ~e a~e tho~e who will capitalize on the inevitab le
rrustratio:: ·, and ~t a cont ent.
Your Community Relations programming must provide an essential
1ng ~ed1ent . That 1n~ red1en t is t he opp ortunity ror the communi ty
to ~ x ert con struct 1 ve intluenoe .:m the operations ot this Depart ment • . 1
I we need to examine- our operations trom the point ot view or th! '
'.!!Ora und•r•-~~dable ._and thus ciore acceptab1.e. It must be a
t;10-way process, tho u~h, n ecaus e the members of our communit y need
'; - l:no·,, ··i ore about th~ nature or the police task--more about -;h~
rs~~ on for Departmen~ policies and pract1ces--more about those
~ ~ t n g s ,., • ._ t ch daily confront our officers. Our experience during
t:1a last year :tna:!. ~a··e s •·: ~at there are phases or our operations
wh ~ch ha•rc- i m~ licat~ on'3 .. :; o the citizen that are not apparent t o us.
:,!:)i:n e o f these engender r.t 3 .s underetand1ng.
.
9
I have great personal pride in this Department and its dedicated,
proreesional police ott1cers. I am cont1dent that we can bear
ce1·etul scrutiny. This pride is shared in the larger part ot the
c0:~1unity. But first, 1t 1s necessary tor ua to eee ourselves as
~a are seen by the community if we are to broaden our support.
We need to know about things as they are and as they are thought
tc be . Everything that we hear will not necessarily be pleasant
or even accurate. Our image is not necessarily what we conceive
it to be or even what we believe it should be. We muat dev~lop
the desire and the ability to listen as well as the willingness
to respond appropriately. The willingness to go through this
entire process seems to be a prerequisite to achieving under­standing
and confidence.
Our approach must not indicate an insularity. It must transmit
opennee~ and a sense ot accountability which in tact will persuade
people that the term involvement implies a desirable partnership.
A wo~~ or caution: Because or the eagerness on the part or the
avera:;e person to identify with the police, there may be a tendenc1
on the part or those in positions or authority to manipulate tor
advantag~ to themselves, to create captive groups. Perhaps
unconsciously, there is a tendency to create a paternal situation -- and use these groups as sounding boards to make what would be aelt-serving
statements if we were to make them ourselves.
Our detractors have skillfully exerted a great deal or negative
influence over our image. We must project an accurate portrayal
' i
\
10
ot real l t y , one which will enoou~age an even greater desire on
the part of t ha r esidents or our community to identify with us.
:; o:: .. ~ of the elements or this programming should evidence your
~v~cern tor the solution or the broad social problems or our
t~ : . The existence or these problems create serious practical
-Jj.'·,·-. 1ems ro:- us. Frequently, law enforcement has excused 1tselt
,.. broader involvement in the total process ~ Y an oversimplified
: : :~l aimer such as, "We are not sociologists. " This is in~
~ !.t~ ~al sen~e accurate, but it is sometimes C.)as~rued as a concern
onl: with the sympt01r.s or orime rather than with the cauaea as
~ell. While we must 11~1t our goal to the delegated area or
social control, our i!~·cl~!':ll!ntation must demonstrate an awareness
that we are an inte-:r-'ll pa:-t of a system to provide a livable
society. A too narr~w definition will reduce our ettectivenesa
while too broad a ;e~3pect1ve will dissipate our energies. I wish
that there were a fO?":!lUla to assist you. Much or what you will do
~~st ~~ trial and e~~oT wit~out any assurance that success or
ta1lu~ e will ever be readily measured. You are not expected to
produc ~ "ccmput er-li!.: e" progra•! iming. I want ~o stimulate your
~n~~nuit7 and perce~t1veness in reco~n1:1ng problems and the
cou1·n~e to innovate. I want ~o commend you now tor pioneering in
an area with relatively tew guideposts, even though auoh pioneering
do~3n't always give ready e,ridence or success. Pa1lure can onl7
~e = ~1~1c1£ed when it is not used constructivel7 as the basia tor
me ::, ~ e "' ~ecti ·:·e plan~in~ in tho ruture.
11
To demonstrate this broadened sense or responsibility in seeking
solutions, we must seek involvements which may be well beyond our
previously conceived parameters. While a great deal or what we
d o i s a "reactive service"--reactive to emergencies and demands
~or ~e rvi ce ~ --th ere i s an area where we mu st innovate those acti­
·1t ~tes whict will be preventive and remedial in nature. It 1 3
th at c o:nmun i t y relations rinds itil g reatest opportunity .
Redu ce d t ~ practical t er.ns, we would agree that tasically a ·"youth"
activ ~ ty s uc h 2~ recreation quite properly belongs to Recreation
and ~ arks. The development of good citizens surely is the joint
~es~·on~ibility of the home, the ohurch, schools, and "character
building" a ·~ encies. Nevertheless, crime is a ~phenomenon or youth."
~outr. constitutes an increasingly larger proportion ot our
pop· .l ation, and h.:nce, a larger proportion or our police problem.
Co· ·1-3 equently, part or your community relations program should
o . 1 cer~ itself with constructive, non-puniti~e relationships with
.· -."> tt':': go that we can contribute to making our youth better citizens.
Jn~ 9f the decisions you will not have to debate here is whether
the Depar~m9nt is going to be involved in youth programs . Thia
dee ~ . ~.t '=' !i ~as been made. However, in the desiRn ot pro~ram content,
y o 1.~ -· ust play an important part since your needs at the divisional
lev~l must be ~ major c~nsideration. While I unde~stand that your
pl · :1:.1ng here will not deal specifically with youth programming,
you will need almo st immediately to start planning a year-round
prohram that can be the basis for expanded activities during the
12
!mmmer season. Funds are included in the Dao artment's budget ror
~~veral hundred youth to have a ca.r::pin~ e xperience. Additional
~t arr has been assigned tv the Yout h Servic~s Se ction to hely in
t l 1e plaqning and imnlementation of an over9.ll, continuing p · _ l;ra.'Ti.
I wsnt you to rorr.tu late plans to establish a forum type approach
so t~at resident ~; and t he radio car officers in a particular
community ca!': esta::i sh positive relationships and an understanding
ot ea c~ other' s paint o~ view . I have particular reference to .
h os tile yout!"; who at th:!.s moment p ::.1 ovide t~~ rn>:)'3t fert ile field ::\J :~-
the person who would destroy our kind of sociat j . It in hoped
tha~ this can be a partial substitute for the personal relat1onsh1r, s
which were possible when policemen walked a beat. One or the
encoura91n~ demands heard from all parts or our community--and
mo;;st ·~ .. ar~icularly t'rqm the disadvantaged commun1ty--1s the desire
to have a personal acquaintanc~ with the unitorr.t officer 1n the
radj o car. You will n -Jt1 ce that the relationship sought is t h~~-
between the un1forti ~d ?-adio car officer and the youth in his area
ot 3 ~ ~v1ce. We cannot afford the mutual mistrust, the lack : f
1n!'o:-:-?.'. &t!o~ about e ach other's p1Jint or view. I am concerne1 over
~h ~ ~~nrl~ct that results between youth and our police otticers.
l !-. . ~t!!t~rbed by the p~ychological burden imposed upon our
off': ·::,~ ra ~r.j the emotional attri't;ion that results. We must
d e · ... : rm1ne tht.- i ~r· ~d1~ nta or this confl:!.ct, particularly those
ov ~ "" ~v.nic h SC-"' ft : : • •n '..: rol can be exercised by the community or our
'
po~ i.: ~ - ·1or~ . Ea: ':·! · ,\ ~ ;;. ! t:11s, wo must the~ 11scover some methei1':3,
1n,JC:ilvi"~· n:..ltunl ... _; fo '!· .. s, of :;.a~d.nrr, th•.:- t~: -..- of ·J '...i r police o ·z ~ ' "· "· . .-_
.. . ,.., ,, ....... : ' ""\ ~ ·. ~""·)- . · ~ I l (n > I. ~ - t · ·""' f'\-4 C f 2 •· · :. " " . > \ ' .~.
.
:.. ;
~or many years, we in law enforcement have subscribed to the
·:loctrine that our basic task 1s crime prevention. Thirty years aj o
our Department had a Crime Prevention Division which was the
f orerunner of today ' s Juvanile Division. The rationale ror the
p r ~~ e ~ t- ~ay conspicuous patrol of the black and white uniform
r~ .: ... _ c a r ls the prevention or crime. However, we talk in terms
of v _ sibl~ p a trol when in reality it is rapidly approaching the
v a..'11 ".l him'f μ oint. ~ ven if it were available, there is much we
n~cd to l ~ arn about its errective use. Under the beat of
c1z• cumst.a.~ces, there is relatively little hope tor a reversal ot
th: current trend in relying just upon traditional methods. That
is, unless there is some radical departure rrom or supplementing
or ~~ ~se traditional approaches. The moat promising prospect ia
t~ b~ f ound in a mobilization or the community itself and its
re sources to become actively involved in crime prevention. 'l'hia
1 ~ t~ . ~ best kind or a co:mnunity relations program. One which
mak.-= ;:\ a Joint venture-between the community and its police--ot
mak1n .· our' streets, our homes, and our persona sater.
It 1<> proposed that our Department become the catalyst in 1dent1ty1rir
and ~elea~ing new energies in crime prevention. These new energies
oar: ;)n l y '::i .:· releas ed by to'.; al community 1nvolvement--1nvolving
r es ·:.dent ·..: in your commcn1 ties with 1dentit1cat1on or problems,
1~~ -.1 jo1:1t uearch tor solutions and a team ettort in the implement :t! on
or ,,our :'! lans. 3aarch tor new frontiers! Your r~ward will be in
• !. :: ~ 8--A Yaar of Total Co:rununity Involvement."
' ' '