NCJ Number
137230
Journal
Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology Volume: 82 Issue: 4 Dated: (Winter 1992) Pages: 1109-1161
Date Published
1992
Length
53 pages
Annotation
In response to the growing domestic drug crisis, police agencies nationwide have made fundamental changes in their policing tactics. Most common regulatory-style interdiction operations have a number of serious flaws: they rely on an inquisitorial style of investigation; they employ a dragnet approach which leads to the investigation of large numbers of innocent persons; and they alienate the public, particularly working-class persons and racial minorities.
Abstract
Over the past few years, policing has been transformed from a reactive process to a more sophisticated regulatory one. Three types of systematic, inquisitorial operations are commonly used to detect drug traffickers; they include drug courier profile operations, bus sweeps, and roadblocks for drug investigations. The U.S. Supreme Court has relied on administrative search jurisprudence to justify each of these intrusive measures. Several considerations come into play when developing more balanced, effective operations: protecting the interests of innocent persons, minimizing the negative impact on working class and racial minorities, and maximizing effectiveness. Some innovative techniques to replace the regulatory-style tactics include narcotics detection dogs and community-oriented operations. 206 notes