60 3 Police and Law Enforcement—Civil Fthe public's perception of law enforcement in a positive direction. In theory, a society
in which the public holds a very positive view of police and policing will allow for
a more systemic, cooperative, and organized form of implemented criminal justice
and law enforcement. This has implications for promoting a more civic-minded
society.Forensic Psychology and Policy ImplicationsImproving relations between the general public and law enforcement is certainly an
area ready for policy reform. Some departments have gone as far as to suggest ways
in which police officers can change their outward attitude through verbal and non--
verbal communication in their encounters with the public (Pritchett, 1993). Other
departments have attempted to revise their policies for filing citizen complaints.
A review by Ericson (1991) revealed that the mass media are more open and
influential than most researchers believed. Further, he states that the media does
not merely report on events, but participates directly in the processes of world
functioning. Therefore, when the media becomes involved within the criminal
justice arena, its own injustices are exposed. It is these injustices that must be
targeted for further regulation and reform. This concept elicits the need for an
increased working relationship between the media and law enforcement, perhaps
through a psychological medium. Mechanisms of increasing the efficacy of this
medium are discussed within the following paragraphs.
According to Parrish (1993), very few citizens have direct contact or corre-
spondence with the police. Therefore, the public makes its decisions regarding the
police and their practices based on what they see, hear, or read. Consequently, it is
imperative that the police act in a manner that is the most conducive to appropriate
public image building. This is accomplished through the changing of officer atti-
tudes, the recognition that cameras are very present in today's technological society,
and that police should operate under the assumption that they are under constant
surveillance.
These realities make it necessary for law enforcement agencies to adopt policies
that specifically address and attempt to resolve these issues. This will help build
more solid rapport between the police and the public. These policies can include
mandatory sessions for officers, both in training and those already in service, to un-
dergo classroom instruction in how to deal effectively and in a collaborative manner
with members of both the media and society. In addition, police departments can
become more visible, hold public rallies, or support television shows exemplifying
their own local "heroes."
Since the media can portray law enforcement in any way it chooses, it is wise
for law enforcement administrators to establish a meaningful and ongoing working
relationship with its representatives. This relationship needs to be one of cooperation
and mutual respect. Forging this association can be accomplished through such