NCJ Number
82396
Date Published
1981
Length
8 pages
Annotation
Police influence on West German criminal justice policy occurs through interaction with other groups and individuals; it should be pursued through cooperation in the areas of planning, evaluation, crime prevention, and crime control.
Abstract
The police should work toward nationally planned and factually developed strategies of crime investigation and prevention. Cooperation should be increased with third parties such as international authorities, victims and witnesses, and social service organizations. Police should advise legislators in the formulation of laws and legal policy, particularly regarding decriminalization and data privacy and security issues. Police involvement is needed in communicating a realistic view of crime to the public through the press and the media. Trends requiring policy responses include the spread of petty mass crimes, virtually amounting to de facto decriminalization. To effectively combat organized crime, police require greater investigative authority. However, the general trend in police work is preventive, requiring police attention to social services and interaction with social assistance agencies. International cooperation should facilitate the exchange of both statistical and research information. Proactive police strategies should keep abreast of the latest technological developments as well. Footnotes are provided.