ON THE ETIOLOGY OF POLICE AGGRESSION IN THE BLACK COMMUNITIES (FROM POLICE ROLES IN THE SEVENTIES PROFESSIONALIZATION IN AMERICA, 1975 BY JACK KINTON - SEE NCJ-31601)

• NCJ Number: 31611
• Author(s): G L KIRKHAM
• Date Published: 1975
• Length: 7 pages
• Corporate Author: Social Science and Sociological Resources
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THE AUTHOR DESCRIBES A PARTICIPANT-OBSERVER STUDY OF THE CAUSES OF AGGRESSIVE POLICE BEHAVIOR TOWARD BLACKS.

Abstract

IT IS SUGGESTED THAT THIS AGGRESSIVENESS IS A MEANS OF COPING WITH FEELINGS OF INSECURITY AND ENDANGERMENT. EXPRESSIONS OF VERBAL HOSTILITY TOWARD BLACKS, LIKE AGGRESSIVE GESTURES AND TONES IN ENCOUNTERS WITH THEM, REPRESENT INTERACTIONAL MECHANISMS WHICH HAVE THE SECURITY-CONFERRING EFFECT OF ASSURING AN OFFICER THAT HE IS IN CONTROL OF POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS INDIVIDUALS AND SITUATIONS. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)