NCJ Number
25445
Date Published
1975
Length
200 pages
Annotation
A BROAD AND REPRESENTATIVE DESCRIPTION OF THE PRACTICE OF THE POLICE FUNCTION IN METROPOLITAN AREAS IN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE VARIOUS PATTERNS OF SOCIAL, ECONOMIC AND GOVERNMENT PROLIFERATION, AND DIVERSITY.
Abstract
IN THE FIRST CHAPTER THE GENERAL HYPOTHESIS OF THE POLICE SERVICE AS A 'RORSCHACH' OR DYNAMIC ANALOGUE OF METROPOLITANISM IS PRESENTED ALONG WITH INTRODUCTORY DESCRIPTIONS OF THE 'POLICE FUNCTION' AND 'METROPOLITANISM.' THE SECOND CHAPTER IN THIS PART DETAILS THE HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE POLICE FUNCTION IN SELECTED COMMUNITIES. THE THESIS OF THIS CHAPTER IS THAT THE HISTORY OF POLICE DEPARTMENTS IN THE UNITED STATES CLOSELY PARELLELED AND EVEN INFLUENCED THE DEVELOPMENT OF COMMUNITIES AS THEY EVOLVED FROM TOWN TO CITY AND, EVENTUALLY, TO METROPOLIS. THE THIRD CHAPTER, 'DEFINITIONS: ACADEMIC PERSPECTIVES ON THE POLICE FUNCTION,' DISCUSSES THE CONSTERNATION ACADEMICS EXHIBIT OVER THE SPECIAL NATURE OF THE POLICE FUNCTION. THE CHAPTER ENTITLED 'CARICATURES: CITIZEN PERCEPTIONS OF THE POLICE FUNCTION' CONCENTRATES ON VARIOUS POPULARIZED PERCEPTIONS OF THE POLICE SUCH AS THE DICK TRACY OR CRIMEFIGHTER IMAGE, THE ARMY OF PIGS OR COLLECTIVE VIOLENCE IMAGE, AND THE IMAGE OF POLICE AS CROOKS. IN CHAPTER FIVE, 'POLICE AND GOVERNMENTS IN THE METROPOLIS,' THE NATURE OF GOVERNMENTAL FRAGMENTATION AND OVERLAPPING JURISDICTIONS IS DISCUSSED. THE FINAL CHAPTER, 'THE PEOPLE AND THE POLICE,' CONCERNS DETAILING THE BEHAVIORAL REACTIONS AND PROBLEMS OF POLICE ON THE STREET WITH THE PATTERNS OF SOCIAL SPREAD AND DIVERSITY. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)