ABSTRACT
A policeman has a very difficult role to play in a democratic society. He must function with the approval of the community, he lives in the community but he is, at the same time, part of a disciplined service and his life is bound by the police discipline regulations. The community makes what must seem intolerably high demands on the police. Whatever the crisis, the police are expected to cope. Crime sometimes seems the least of their problems. Community policing also fulfils the need for a specialised approach in dealing with juveniles and immigrants. Involvement in specialised community liaison work can be a positive experience for police officers, enabling them to see some of their bad experiences in proportion. It gives many officers a chance to see another aspect of the community and increases their awareness of the complicated mechanisms that cause people to offend.
