POLICE PERCEPTIONS OF RIOT PARTICIPANTS AND DYNAMICS

• NCJ Number: 32586
• Journal: International Journal of Group Tensions Volume: 5 Issue: 3 Dated: (SEPTEMBER 1975) Pages: 163-170
• Author(s): J R PONTING; J FITZPATRICK; E L QUARANTELLI
• Date Published: 1975
• Length: 8 pages
• Corporate Author: Sage Publications, Inc
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: REPRINT

Annotation

PAPER REPORTS ON EIGHT SEPARATE CLASHES OR RIOT SITUATIONS INVOLVING LOCAL POLICE UNITS AND EITHER GHETTO INHABITANTS OR UNIVERSITY STUDENTS AS PERCEIVED BY THE SOCIAL CONTROL AGENCIES, PRIMARILY THE POLICE FORCES.

Abstract

TWO MAJOR SETS OF DATA WERE USED TO DEVELOP A COMPOSITE ORGANIZATIONAL PERSPECTIVE OF THE SOCIAL CONTROL AGENCIES IN THE EIGHT DISTURBANCES. DATA FOR THE FOUR GHETTO RIOTS WERE OBTAINED FROM ABOUT 100 PREDISTURBANCE AND ABOUT 50 POSTDISTURBANCE IN DEPTH INTERVIEWS WITH HIGH RANKING OFFICIALS FROM THE POLICE DEPARTMENTS OF THE AFFECTED CITIES, COUNTY SHERIFF ORGANIZATIONS, AND ACTIVATED NATIONAL GUARD UNITS. DATA FOR THE FOUR CAMPUS DISTURBANCES WERE OBTAINED FROM 499 ANONYMOUS QUESTIONNAIRES FILLED OUT AFTER THE DISORDERS BY A MAJORITY OF THE POLICE OFFICERS IN THE DEPARTMENT THAT DEALT WITH THE RIOTS. STUDY FINDINGS REVEALED A STRONG TENDENCY FOR THE POLICE TO LABEL OR TYPOLOGIZE PARTICIPANTS IN CIVIL DISTURBANCES ACCORDING TO SIX BASIC 'RIOT-RELATED ROLES' (AGITATOR, ENACTOR, SUSTAINER, REINFORCER, NONPARTICIPANT, AND COUNTERRIOTER). A LIST OF REFERENCES IS INCLUDED. )AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)