Humanizing Law Enforcement: a New Paradigm

Abstract

This article discusses the recent literature on the humanization of law enforcement policy. There are two major differences between humanistic and conventional approaches. The first is between voluntaristic and deterministic models of human nature. The second difference is the greater emphasis placed on experiential learning in humanistic approaches. Crisis intervention training programs, human relations training for police recruits, neighborhood team policing, and organization development approaches to management exemplify the humanistic perspective on police policy.