NCJ Number
46728
Date Published
1975
Length
56 pages
Annotation
TEACHING MATERIALS FOR A HIGH SCHOOL SOCIAL SCIENCE CLASS UNIT ON THE ROLE AND FUNCTION OF POLICE IN SOCIETY ARE PRESENTED.
Abstract
THE UNIT IS IN FOUR PARTS: RULES AND ENFORCEMENT; POLICE DISCRETION; THE VARIETY OF POLICE TASKS; AND POLICE DIFFERENCES FROM SOCIETY TO SOCIETY. THE FIRST SECTION EXAMINES THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MAKING RULES AND ENFORCING RULES. THE SECTION ON POLICE DISCRETION DISCUSSES THE POLICE OFFICER'S RESPONSIBILITY FOR DECIDING WHETHER A LAW HAS BEEN BROKEN, WHAT PROCEDURES SHOULD BE FOLLOWED, WHAT LAWS TO ENFORCE, AND WHETHER TO MAKE AN ARREST. THE EXAMINATION OF THE VARIETY OF TASKS THAT POLICE PERFORM EMPHASIZES THE FALSE BUT COMMON IDEA THAT POLICE SPEND MOST OF THEIR TIME ENFORCING LAWS. POLICE SYSTEMS IN DIFFERENT COUNTRIES ARE COMPARED, WITH A VIEW TOWARD UNDERSTANDING THE SOCIAL PRESSURES THAT CAUSE DIFFERENCES AMONG POLICE SYSTEMS AND TOWARD EVALUATING THE AMERICAN POLICE SYSTEM IN LIGHT OF THESE DIFFERENCES. FOR EACH OF THE 13 ACTIVITIES THAT MAKE UP THE UNIT, THE TEACHER'S GUIDE INCLUDES AN INTRODUCTION, OBJECTIVES, PROCEDURES, AN EVALUATION GUIDE, AND SUGGESTIONS. A HANDOUT ON QUALIFICATIONS OF THE PATROL OFFICER AND GUIDELINES ON CONDUCTING ROLE PLAY EXERCISES ARE APPENDED. (LKM)