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Qualitative Analysis of Police-Citizen Contacts at a Private University

NCJ Number
148771
Journal
Campus Law Enforcement Journal Volume: 24 Issue: 1 Dated: (January- February 1994) Pages: 28-31,35
Author(s)
D Striegel; T C Cox
Date Published
1994
Length
5 pages
Annotation
Data from a small private university in a southeastern metropolitan area formed the basis of an analysis of police- citizen interactions and their implications regarding the role orientation of campus police officers.
Abstract
The campus borders a low-income residential neighborhood with a high crime rate. Data were collected through observations of police officers as they performed their daily tasks. The data collection focused on the types of police-citizen contacts, the means of police-citizen contacts, and the modes of police officer responses during contacts with citizens. Four types of contacts were considered: criminal, traffic and parking, order maintenance, and service. Findings indicated that a high percentage of police-citizen interactions were service- oriented. Furthermore, the majority of contacts were initiated by citizens. Results indicated that a service orientation must be an integral component of all phases of campus police operations and that campus police officers must possess the skills necessary for the fulfillment of this role. Tables and 15 references