NCJ Number
115864
Journal
Criminology Volume: 27 Issue: 1 Dated: (February 1989) Pages: 1-25
Date Published
1989
Length
26 pages
Annotation
This study examines the dynamics of police interactions with the public during potentially violent encounters.
Abstract
Researchers observed 350 eight-hour duty shifts by patrol officers in three precincts of New York City in the summer of 1986 in an attempt to identify differences among patrolmen in dealing with potential violence. The study compares that tactics used and outcomes achieved by patrol officers believed by their peers to be skilled at minimizing violence and a cross section of other patrol officers. The officers identified as more skilled in handling conflict were found to behave differently from the cross section of patrol officers in that they were more proactive, productive, and likely to take charge of situations, exhibiting versatility in tactics. Policy implications arising from the study include alerting patrol officers that physical conflict is rare, making clear that the use of tactics to defuse conflict is usually not necessary since most conflicts break up with the arrival of police and encouraging the retention of experienced and skillful patrol officers so that they may serve as role models for new recruits. 23 footnotes. (Author abstract modified).