NCJ Number
39049
Journal
Police Chief Volume: 44 Issue: 2 Dated: (FEBRUARY 1977) Pages: 51-54
Date Published
1977
Length
4 pages
Annotation
THE DEVELOPMENT AND OPERATION OF TWO TRAINING PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO INCREASE THE REPORTING OF CRIME BY SENIOR CITIZENS IS DISCUSSED.
Abstract
THESE PROGRAMS EVOLVED DIRECTLY FROM THE FINDINGS OF PREVIOUS RESEARCH INTO THE MOTIVATIONS FOR REPORTING OR NON-REPORTING BY THIS AGE GROUP. A 1975 DALLAS SURVEY OF 466 PERSONS OVER THE AGE OF 55 HAD REVEALED CRIME VICTIMS WHO HAD NOT REPORTED THE CRIME WERE LEAST LIKELY TO FEEL A PART OF THE POLICE/JUDICIAL SYSTEM. IN ADDITION, THEY GENERALLY BELIEVED THAT THE POLICE COULD OR WOULD NOT ACT ON THE CRIME, THAT THE CRIME WAS NOT IMPORTANT ENOUGH TO BOTHER THE POLICE, OR THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH INFORMATION TO GIVE THE POLICE. AS A RESULT OF THESE RESPONSES, A TWO-HOUR IN-SERVICE OR RECRUIT TRAINING PACKAGE WAS DESIGNED WHICH FOCUSED ON INCREASING THE POLICE OFFICERS' AWARENESS OF THE SPECIAL NEEDS OF OLDER ADULTS. A SECOND PROGRAM WAS AIMED AT INCREASING THE SENIOR CITIZEN'S AWARENESS OF THEIR PART IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AND AT CORRECTING FALSE PERCEPTIONS ABOUT THE ROLE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT....ELW