NCJ Number
46183
Editor(s)
R N BRENNER,
M KRAVITZ
Date Published
1978
Length
93 pages
Annotation
THIS ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY PRESENTS A CROSS SECTION OF THE LITERATURE AVAILABLE IN THE NATIONAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFERENCE SERVICE DATA BASE CONCERNING POLICE DISCRETION.
Abstract
THE BIBLIOGRAPHY WAS COMPILED TO PROVIDE THE POLICE ADMINISTRATOR AND THE POLICE OFFICER WITH AN OVERVIEW OF THE ISSUES INVOLVED IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF GUIDELINES FOR POLICE DISCRETION AND A DISCUSSION OF THE OPTIONS AVAILABLE. THE NEED FOR CONTINUING DIALOG AND INTERACTION BETWEEN THOSE GROUPS MOST CONCERNED WITH THE SUBJECT -- LAWMAKERS, LAW ENFORCERS, AND THE COMMUNITY -- IS NOTED. THE BOOKS, DOCUMENTS, AND JOURNAL ARTICLES INCLUDED IN THE BIBLIOGRAPHY ARE ORGANIZED INTO THREE MAIN CATEGORIES: (1) AN OVERVIEW, INCLUDING GENERAL INFORMATION ON THE NATURE OF POLICE DISCRETION, DISCUSSION OF THE NEED FOR STRUCTURING POLICE DISCRETION, AND SELECTED PROGRAMS WHICH PROVIDE POLICE WITH FORMAL STRUCTURING FOR DISCRETIONARY ACTIVITIES; (2) SANCTIONS, I.E., RESTRAINTS ON DISCRETIONARY ACTIONS, BOTH EXTERNAL AND INTERNAL, ENCOMPASSING CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUES AND LEGAL SANCTIONS ALONG WITH POLICIES AND PROCEDURES; AND (3) OPERATIONAL DISCRETION, OR THE EXERCISE OF DISCRETIONARY INITIATIVES AND THE OPTIONS AVAILABLE TO THE INDIVIDUAL POLICE OFFICER. ENTRIES WITHIN EACH SECTION ARE ALPHABETIZED BY AUTHOR'S SURNAME. MOST OF THE ENTRIES DATE FROM 1970 TO 1978. STANDARDS ON POLICE DISCRETION AND LAW ENFORCEMENT POLICYMAKING PREPARED BY THE NATIONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE STANDARDS AND GOALS, A LIST OF SOURCES, AND A RESOURCE LIST ARE APPENDED. INFORMATION ON OBTAINING THE DOCUMENTS CITED IS ALSO PROVIDED.