NCJ Number
146197
Date Published
Unknown
Length
25 pages
Annotation
Social, demographic, and technological changes are presenting police departments with new challenges regarding their role in society. The focus of this paper is on Virginia.
Abstract
Some of the social changes discussed here include shifting priorities in public funding, employment trends, health issues, and the purported decline of the middle class. At the same time, there have been massive shifts in household type and family structure, increasing numbers of people falling below the poverty line, and changing distribution of minority populations and changing immigration patterns. Like most other States, Virginia is expecting increased incarceration rates and decreased prison space. Technological innovations in the areas of computers, weapons, and communications have affected police work as well. Two models currently put forth for law enforcement progress are problem- oriented policing and community policing. Because community policing does not fit in with the traditional patrol orientation, it must become the department's raison d'etre in order to be successfully implemented. Some steps that can be taken to make community policing work include broadening the role and power of the line officer, decentralizing the police hierarchy, instituting peer-oriented problem solving, modernizing communications equipment, and emphasizing officer education. 3 tables and 41 references