NCJ Number
3315
Journal
Law and Society Review Volume: 6 Issue: 2 Dated: (NOVEMBER 1971) Pages: 183-194
Date Published
1971
Length
12 pages
Annotation
EXAMINATION OF GHETTO ATTITUDES TOWARD POLICE AND LEGAL SYSTEM, THEIR ASSESSMENTS OF EQUALITY OF POLICE PROTECTION, AND WILLINGNESS TO ASSIST OFFICERS.
Abstract
THE DEVELOPMENT OF PUBLIC RESPECT FOR POLICE PRACTICES IN PREDOMINANTLY BLACK COMMUNITIES APPARENTLY HAS EMERGED AS ONE OF THE MOST CRITICAL PROBLEMS FACING LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES. THE RESULTS OF THIS SURVEY, CONDUCTED IN AN AREA THAT HAD EXPERIENCED A SERIOUS RIOT, INDICATED THAT MAJOR SEGMENTS OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD LACKED A BASIC CONFIDENCE IN THE EQUALITY OF LEGAL PROCESSES, LAW ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES, AND POLICE PROTECTION. MOREOVER, LARGE PROPORTIONS OF THE GHETTO RESIDENTS DISPLAYED A RELUCTANCE TO CONTACT LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS IN CIRCUMSTANCES THAT APPEARED TO REQUIRE POLICE INTERVENTION. POLICEMEN, THEREFORE, SEEMED TO CONFRONT FORMIDABLE OBSTACLES IN THEIR EFFORT TO GAIN THE PUBLIC SUPPORT IN URBAN GHETTOS THAT MIGHT BE ESSENTIAL TO THE ACHIEVEMENT OF THEIR GOALS. AS THE VIOLENCE IN DETROIT AND ELSEWHERE DEMONSTRATED, AN EXTENSIVE LACK OF CONFIDENCE IN THE EQUALITY OF LEGAL PROCESSES AND LAW ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS MAY HAVE SERIOUS - EVEN DISASTROUS CONSEQUENCES FOR LAW AND SOCIETY. THE FAILURE TO HEED THE SENTIMENTS OF GHETTO RESIDENTS ULTIMATELY MAY PRODUCE EVEN MORE SERIOUS PROBLEMS FOR POLICE OFFICERS THAN THE IMMEDIATE DIFFICULTIES OF INTRODUCING MAJOR CHANGES IN LAW ENFORCEMENT PRACTICES.