POLICE PERSPECTIVES AND BEHAVIOR IN A CAMPUS DISTURBANCE

• NCJ Number: 36683
• Journal: Journal of Police Science and Administration Dated: (JUNE 1974)
• Author(s): R R DYNES; J L ROSS; E L QUARANTELLI
• Date Published: 1974
• Length: 16 pages
• Corporate Author: Ohio State University
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: REPRINT

Annotation

STUDY OF THE LARGE SCALE DISTURBANCE THAT OCCURRED AT THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY CAMPUS ON APRIL 29, 1970 FROM THE VIEWPOINTS OF MEMBERS OF THE COLUMBUS POLICE DEPARTMENT WHO PLAYED A MAJOR ROLE IN RESPONDING TO IT.

Abstract

A TWO PART QUESTIONNAIRE WAS CONSTRUCTED AND DISTRIBUTED TO ALL 835 SWORN MEMBERS OF THE DEPARTMENT, WITH 499 USABLE RETURNS OBTAINED. THE FIRST PART OF THE QUESTIONNAIRE WAS CONCERNED WITH PERCEPTIONS IN RELATION TO POLICE CROWD AND RIOT POLICIES, SOCIAL BACKGROUND OF THE RESPONDENTS, AND ATTITUDES CONCERNING RELATIONS BETWEEN THE DEPARTMENT AND THE UNIVERSITY. THE SECOND PART WAS CONCERNED WITH THE ACTUAL DISTURBANCES AND THE RESPONDENTS' REPORTS OF HIS AND FELLOW OFFICERS' RESPONSES DURING THESE EVENTS. FINDINGS INDICATE THAT THE OFFICERS SURVEYED WERE MORE LAW ENFORCEMENT THAN PEACE OFFICER ORIENTED, WERE APPREHENSIVE OF STUDENTS, AND HAD HAD EXPERIENCE WITH SIZABLE DISTURBANCES. IT WAS ALSO FOUND THAT THE POLICE WHO RESPONDED WITH FORCE DID SO BECAUSE THEY PERCEIVED THEMSELVES FACING HIGHLY THREATENING CROWDS, WHILE MEDIA VIEWED THE SITUATION AS LESS HOSTILE AND REPORTED MORE POLICE USES OF FORCE THAN DID THE POLICE. LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY ARE ACKNOWLEDGED AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FURTHER STUDY WITH THE INCLUSION OF POLICE ORGANIZATIONAL FACTORS ARE SET FORTH.