POLICE POLICY FORMULATION - A PROPOSAL FOR IMPROVING POLICE PERFROMANCE (FROM ISSUES IN POLICE PATROL - A BOOK OF READINGS, 1973, BY T J SWEENEY AND W ELLINGSWORTH SEE NCJ-25816)

• NCJ Number: 25818
• Author(s): H GOLDSTEIN
• Date Published: 1973
• Length: 24 pages
• Corporate Author: Kansas City (MO) Police Dept; Police Foundation
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS.

Annotation

THE AUTHOR ARGUES THAT POLICE ADMINISTRATORS MUST ARTICULATE ADEQUATE POLICY GUIDELINES TO PROVIDE THE INDIVIDUAL OFFICER WITH MORE DETAILED GUIDANCE IN EXERCISING DISCRETION.

Abstract

IN LIGHT OF THE DIVERSITY OF THE POLICE FUNCTION AND THE ABSENCE OF LEGISLATIVE GUIDELINES IN MANY AREAS, THE AUTHOR BELIEVES THAT THE VAST DISCRETION AFFORDED THE INDIVIDUAL OFFICER SHOULD BE ACKNOWLEDGED AND THAT ADMINISTRATIVE GUIDELINES FOR THE USE OF THAT DISCRETION SHOULD BE PUBLICLY ARTICULATED DESPITE THE EXISTENCE OF INFORMAL STANDARDS WITHIN POLICE DEPARTMENTS. THE AUTHOR RECOGNIZES THAT THERE IS A RISK FACTOR INHERENT IN THE EXERCISE OF POLICE DISCRETION. THE RISK IS THE THREAT OF PUBLIC OPPROBRIUM IF THE POLICEMAN'S USE OF DISCRETION, SAY IN ENFORCING LAWS SELECTIVELY, BACKFIRES. THIS CAN BE LARGELY AVOIDED BY PUTTING THE COMMUNITY ON NOTICE BY DISSEMINATING POLICE POLICY.