POLICE AND PUBLIC (FROM POLICE WE DESERVE, 1973 BY J. C. ALDERSON AND PHILIP J. STEAD - SEE NCJ-25835)

• NCJ Number: 25844
• Author(s): C H ROLPH
• Date Published: 1973
• Length: 14 pages
• Corporate Author: Wolfe Publishing Ltd
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United Kingdom

Annotation

THE AUTHOR EXPLAINS WHY THE POLICE HAVE BEEN RECEIVING SUCH BAD PRESS AND ASSERTS THAT THEY SHOULD EXPECT AND THAT THEY HAVE THE RIGHT TO EXPECT PROPER AND ADEQUATE PRESENTATION TO THE PUBLIC AND TO THEMSELVES.

Abstract

THE AUTHOR USES ANECDOTAL EXAMPLES TO ILLUSTRATE SEVERAL PLATITUDES THAT REFLECT UPON HIS ARGUMENT. ONE IS THAT NEWS OF 'GOOD' EVENTS WILL NEVER DRAW AS MUCH PUBLIC INTEREST AS LURID AND BLOOD STORIES OF CRIMES OR WRONGDOING. SECONDLY, TELEVISION, WHILE EMBODYING THE BAD NEWS POLICY OF THE NEWSPAPERS AND OTHER MEDIA, HAS THE CAPABILITY OF PRESENTING SCENES TO US AS UNDER A MICROSCOPE IN ALL UNNATURAL DETAIL, IN SUCH A WAY AS TO OVEREMPHASIZE THE CRUEL CONDUCT OF A MINORITY OF OFFICERS. THE THIRD IS THAT PEOPLE COMPLAIN OF POLICE CORRUPTION ON THE ONE HAND WHILE OFFERING BRIBES OR GRATUITIES (ALBEIT GOOD-NATURED AND INNOCENT) WITH THE OTHER.