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POLICE AND THE PUBLIC

NCJ Number
2082
Author(s)
R L HOLCOMB
Date Published
1971
Length
36 pages
Annotation
COMMON-SENSE MEASURES FOR THE POLICE TO CULTIVATE THE GOOD WILL OF THE PUBLIC.
Abstract
THE VALUE OF A GOOD PUBLIC RELATIONS PROGRAM INCREASES POLICE EFFECTIVENESS. IN THE CRIMINAL FIELD, THE PUBLIC IS MORE LIKELY TO COME FORWARD WITH INFORMATION. THE POLICE COULD SOLVE ALMOST ALL CRIMES IN THE COMMUNITY IF THEY HAD THE INFORMATION THAT IS WITHHELD BY WITNESSES. THROUGH A GOOD PROGRAM OF PUBLIC RELATIONS THE PUBLIC COMES TO KNOW THE PROBLEMS OF THE LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENT, AND EFFICIENT POLICE ACTIVITY WILL BE RECOGNIZED AND SUPPORTED WITH PROPER SALARIES AND GOOD EQUIPMENT. PUBLIC RELATIONS ALSO PROTECTS THE PUBLIC FROM CORRUPT POLITICS. PUBLIC COOPERATION DEPENDS ON PUBLIC ATTITUDE. THE FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLE OF GOOD PUBLIC RELATIONS AMOUNTS TO DOING A GOOD JOB IN A COURTEOUS MANNER AND THEN LETTING THE PUBLIC KNOW ABOUT THAT JOB.