NCJ Number
57985
Journal
Criminology Volume: 17 Issue: 1 Dated: (MAY 1979) Pages: 112-118
Date Published
1979
Length
7 pages
Annotation
A CRITIQUE IS PRESENTED OF AN ARTICLE THAT DISCUSSED PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED BY RESEARCHERS IN THEIR CAPACITY AS RIDE-ALONG OBSERVERS OF POLICE PATROL ACTIVITIES.
Abstract
THE ARTICLE TOUCHED ON DIFFICULTIES IN COMMUNICATING WITH AND WINNING ACCEPTANCE FROM PATROL OFFICERS, PROBLEMS IN DEVELOPING A FIELD ROLE FOR RESEARCHERS THAT WAS ACCEPTABLE TO BOTH RESEARCHERS AND POLICE, AND THE THREAT THAT THE RESEARCH PROJECT WOULD BE PREMATURELY TERMINATED. IT IS CONTENDED THAT THE ARTICLE FAILED TO ADDRESS ADEQUATELY THE POLICE SOCIALIZATION PROCESS--THE NORMS, ATTITUDES, AND FORMAL/INFORMAL POLICIES THAT GUIDE POLICE INTERACTIONS WITH ALL OUTSIDERS (I.E., NONPOLICE). ALTHOUGH THE ARTICLE NOTED THAT POLICE ORGANIZATIONS GENERALLY ARE CLOSED TO OUTSIDERS, IT AVOIDED THE MAIN ISSUE: THAT THIS CLOSED SYSTEM IS A MATTER OF DESIGN, NOT ACCIDENT. POLICE ADMINISTRATORS AND OFFICERS CREATE AND MAINTAIN A CLOSED SYSTEM TO PREVENT PUBLIC SCRUTINY AND TO REDUCE CRITICISM OF THEIR DECISIONMAKING, POLICIES, AND PRACTICES. PATROL OFFICERS RESPOND TO RIDE-ALONG RESEARCHERS IN THREE WAYS: (1) PERCEIVING RESEARCH AS VALUELESS TO THEMSELVES AND TO THEIR ORGANIZATION, OFFICERS STEREOTYPE RESEACHERS/OBSERVERS AS INTRUDERS IN THE POLICE SPHERE OF INFLUENCE; (2) OFFICERS FEEL THREATENED BY THE PRESENCE OF OUTSIDERS WHOM THEY CANNOT TRUST TO MAINTAIN POLICE CONFIDENTIALITY; AND (3) OFFICERS REFLECT DEPARTMENTAL POLICY ORIENTATION BY NOT SUPPORTING THE RESEARCH EFFORT. THERE IS A NEED TO CONDUCT RESEARCH WITHIN THE POLICE SYSTEM, BUT A METHOD TO ACCOMPLISH THIS TASK HAS NOT BEEN FOUND. THE SOLUTION MAY LIE IN MERCHANDISING--SELLING A RESEARCH PROJECT TO POLICE BY POINTING OUT HOW THEY CAN BENEFIT FROM THE PROJECT. A LIST OF REFERENCES IS INCLUDED. (LKM)