ABSTRACT
Consideration of the role of the police is important for at least three reasons. First, the police are highly dependent upon the public, and especially victims, for bringing crime to their attention and providing leads on the offender (see chapter 11). Conversely, if victims feel that the police do not provide a useful service they may fail to report crimes and may even take unsanctioned vigilante action. Second, despite the emergence of victim assistance programmes in many countries (see chapter 9) the police is still the main agency with which victims have contact. As a result, police response to victims may be the most significant post-crime experience. In this respect Joutsen (1987: 212) noted:
They are generally the first representatives of the State to come into contact with the complainant. Furthermore their intervention will come at a time when the complainant is most likely to be suffering from the immediate shock of the offence. Their attitude will considerably influence not only what the complainant decides to do but also what impression he received of the administration of justice, and of how the community as a whole regards the offence.
