NCJ Number
78265
Date Published
Unknown
Length
0 pages
Annotation
This film shows the activities of the St. Peterburg, Fla., patrol officers after the implementation of a new policing approach in the form of team policing.
Abstract
The 'new look' heralded for 'the man' is one of understatement, characterized by a police presence that is both low key and familiar to the denizens of a given neighborhood. Assigned in teams to specific neighborhoods, the officers frequently patrol on foot and attempt to establish personal relationships that are based on trust rather than intimidation or antagonism. This conscious effort on the part of police officers to relate to the people is exemplified by a scene in which neighborhood youths and the patrol officer share cigarettes and friendly conversation on a street corner. There is a general feeling of optimism in the city and its police department that these innovations of policing style will be effective in promoting better police-community relations, greater job satisfaction for officers, and perhaps even safer neighborhoods. Since the program is newly established, its effects remain to be seen.