Key Points

1. 1) Society expects law enforcement officers to perform an unreasonable and undesirable set of duties and responsibilities
2. 2) Law enforcement officials and society at large would benefit from other individuals taking charge of the public welfare in certain situations.
3. 3) The question for policymakers is whether to share, shift or eliminate some law enforcement responsibilities.
4. 4) Lawmakers can aid local efforts by legislatively empowering non-law enforcement officials, and authorizing and supporting local programs.