NCJ Number
5292
Journal
JOURNAL OF CRIMINAL LAW, CRIMINOLOGY AND POLICE SCIENCE Volume: 61 Issue: 2 Dated: (JUNE 1970) Pages: 309-312
Date Published
1970
Length
4 pages
Annotation
AN EXAMINATION OF THE GROWING TREND TOWARD POLICE CENTRALIZATION AND ITS EFFECT ON DEMOCRATIC VALUES AND INSTITUTIONS.
Abstract
A CENTRALIZED POLICE, FAR FROM POSING A THREAT TO DEMOCRACY, MAY ACTUALLY SERVE AS ITS BULWARK. IN LOOKING AT OTHER COUNTRIES IT IS FOUND THAT AN INCREASING NUMBER OF SUCH CENTRALIZED POLICE FORCES WORK EFFECTIVELY TO MAINTAIN AND EXTEND DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT. THIS MIGHT WELL PROMPT SOME RE-EXAMINATION OF THE SITUATION IN THE UNITED STATES. A SINGLE NATIONAL POLICE FORCE IS PROBABLY UNDESIRABLE, OR EVEN UNWORKABLE, IN A COUNTRY OF THIS SIZE AND DIVERSITY. BUT THE POSSIBILITIES FOR GREATLY INCREASED STATE GOVERNMENT PARTICIPATION IN THE POLICE FUNCTION MERIT CAREFUL CONSIDERATION.