POLICE MUST KNOW THEIR JOB - IT'S ESSENTIAL AND DIFFICULT

• NCJ Number: 28519
• Journal: Texas Police Journal Volume: 23 Issue: 8 Dated: (SEPTEMBER 1975) Pages: 4-7
• Author(s): R R BARTON
• Date Published: 1975
• Length: 4 pages
• Corporate Author: Texas Police Assoc
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THE AUTHOR OUTLINES THE FACTORS WHICH HAVE INCREASED THE COMPLEXITY AND DIFFICULTY OF THE POLICE OFFICER'S JOB AND DISCUSSES THE IMPORTANCE OF EACH OFFICER KNOWING HIS ROLE AND THE LAWS WHICH DEFINE AND GUIDE HIS ACTIVITIES.

Abstract

IT IS ARGUED THAT MANY FACTORS HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE NECESSITY AND DIFFICULTY OF THE POLICE KNOWING THEIR JOB, INCLUDING THE CONSTANT REVISIONS OF THE CRIMINAL LAWS, IMPORTANT APPELLATE DECISIONS WHICH HAVE INFLUENCED LAW ENFORCEMENT PROCEDURES, THE INCREASING CRIME RATES, LACK OF PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THE ACTUAL POLICE ROLE, AND UNREASONABLE PUBLIC EXPECTATIONS OF POLICE PERFORMANCE. IN VIEW OF THESE PROBLEMS, THE AUTHOR STATES THAT THE POLICE OFFICER MUST KNOW AND CARRY OUT HIS FUNCTION, WHICH IS TO UPHOLD THE LAW. IN ORDER TO ACCOMPLISH THIS, HE MUST HAVE THOROUGH KNOWLEDGE OF THE LAWS WHICH GOVERN HIS AUTHORITY. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)