NCJ Number
34668
Editor(s)
H W MORE
Date Published
1976
Length
287 pages
Annotation
THE 23 ARTICLES IN THIS ANTHOLOGY DEAL WITH THE CONTEMPORARY POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS AFFECTING POLICE BEHAVIOR. ORGANIZATIONAL AND JOB STRESS.
Abstract
THE TEXT BEGINS WITH AN EXAMINATION OF THE HISTORY OF POLICE, FROM THE EARLY HISTORY OF ENGLISH LAW ENFORCEMENT THROUGH URBANIZATION AND MODERNIZATION IN THE UNITED STATES. POLICE FUNCTION IS DISCUSSED FROM THE STANDPOINT OF ORGANIZATION AND DISTRIBUTION, WITH AN EMPHASIS ON POLICE RESPONSE, FUNCTIONS OF PATROL OFFICERS, AND PROBLEMS OF SMALLTOWN POLICE. A SECTION DEALING WITH 'POLICING SOCIETY' PRESENTS ARTICLES ON PSYCHODYNAMIC UNDERSTANDING OF POLICE AND POLICE WORK, THE POLICE PERSPECTIVE, THE CITIZEN PERSPECTIVE, AND POLICE DISCRETION. THE POLICE PERSONALITY IS DISCUSSED, AND ISSUES SUCH AS MISCONCEPTIONS, VALUES, CYNICISM, ANOMIE, AND OVERPERCEPTION OF HOSTILITY ARE EXPLORED. POLICE BEHAVIOR IS ALSO ADDRESSED IN DISCUSSIONS OF POLICE CULTURE, ATTITUDES TOWARD COMMUNICATION WITH THE PUBLIC, POLICE PREJUDICE, POLICE DEVIANCY, AND MILITANT POLICE OFFICERS. ORGANIZATIONAL STRESS ON POLICE OFFICERS, JOB STRESS ON POLICE ADMINISTRATORS, AND THE CONCEPT OF A CONSUMER-ORIENTED POLICE DEPARTMENT ARE EXAMINED IN A SECTION RELATED TO ORGANIZATIONAL IMPACT. AN APPENDIX PRESENTS A PAPER ENTITLED 'ETHICAL STANDARDS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT,' PREPARED BY THE LAW ENFORCEMENT ASSOCIATION ON PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS, EDUCATION, AND ETHICAL PRACTICE. AN INDEX IS PROVIDED.