1968 - The year of total community involvement |
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"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." ' ' '
Object Description
Title | Commission meetings (4 of 6), 1967-02 - 1991-04-30 |
Description | Commission meetings (4 of 6), 1967 February - 1991 April 30. PART OF A SERIES: Materials in the series fall into one of several categories related to the Independent Commission's work product: (1) Commission meeting materials, which include meeting agendas, work plans, memoranda, and articles about police misconduct that were circulated and reviewed during the Commission's internal meetings; (2) public correspondence, which includes citizen complaints against the LAPD in the form of written testimony, articles, and an audio cassette tape, as well as letters drafted by citizens in support of the LAPD; (3) summaries of interviews held with LAPD officers regarding Departmental procedures and relations; (4) public meeting materials, which include transcripts, supplementary documents, and witness statements that were reviewed at the Commission's public meetings; (5) press releases related to the formation and work product of the Commission; and (6) miscellaneous materials reviewed by the Commission during its study, including LAPD personnel and training manuals, a memorandum of understanding, and messages from the LAPD's Mobile Digital Terminal (MDT) system. |
Coverage date | 1966; 1968; 1965-07; 1967-02; 1967-04; 1967-05; 1967-11; 1968-06-23; 1968-11; 1968-11-29; 1975-09-06; 1991-04-30 |
Publisher (of the digital version) | University of Southern California |
Date created | 1967-02; 1967-04; 1967-10; 1968; 1968-09; 1968-11; 1975-09; 1991-04-30 |
Date issued | 1968; 1967-02-08; 1967-11-01; 1968-09-19; 1968-11-29; 1975-09-06 |
Type | texts |
Format | 81 p. |
Format (aat) |
notes speeches (documents) |
Format (imt) | application/pdf |
Language | English |
Contributing entity | University of Southern California |
Part of collection | Independent Commission on the Los Angeles Police Department, 1991 |
Series | Independent Commission file list |
File | Commission meetings |
Box and folder | box 22, folder 7 |
Provenance | The collection was given to the University of Southern California on July 31, 1991. |
Rights | This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Manuscripts Librarian. Permission for publication is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained. |
Physical access | Contact: Special Collections, Doheny Memorial Library, Libraries, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089-0189; specol@dots.usc.edu |
Repository name | USC Libraries Special Collections |
Repository address | Doheny Memorial Library, Los Angeles, CA 90089-0189 |
Repository email | specol@dots.usc.edu |
Filename | indep-box22-07 |
Description
Title | 1968 - The year of total community involvement |
Description | 1968 - The year of total community involvement, by Thomas Reddin. |
Coverage date | 1968 |
Creator | Reddin, Thomas, author |
Publisher (of the digital version) | University of Southern California |
Date created | 1968 |
Date issued | 1968 |
Type | texts |
Format | 13 p. |
Format (aat) | speeches (documents) |
Format (imt) | application/pdf |
Contributing entity | University of Southern California |
Series | Independent Commission file list |
File | Commission meetings |
Box and folder | box 22, folder 7, item 7 |
Physical access | Contact: Special Collections, Doheny Memorial Library, Libraries, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089-0189; specol@dots.usc.edu |
Full text | "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." ' ' ' |
Filename | indep-box22-07-07.pdf |
Archival file | Volume70/indep-box22-07-07.pdf |