NCJ Number
121746
Journal
Canadian Police College Journal Volume: 13 Issue: 4 Dated: (1989) Pages: 260-272
Date Published
1989
Length
13 pages
Annotation
The plain clothes detective function tends to be elitist, thus detracting from the importance and value of the uniformed function, and it may increase the risk of police corruption.
Abstract
If disguise is not necessary, then there are no grounds for wearing plain clothes. There is no substantial reason why uniformed police could not adequately perform most of the duties currently reserved for the detective. The greater the number of police in plain clothes, the fewer there are in uniform at a time when the visible presence of police is needed on the streets. Although there is no conclusive evidence that plain clothes officers are more vulnerable to corruption than uniformed officers, corruption has been almost endemic to certain plain clothes duties, such as vice, drugs, and illegal gambling. Anonymous duty in plain clothes often leads to an unhealthy familiarity between the police and the policed. The operations of officers in plain clothes should be limited to necessary covert activities and those activities where it is necessary to protect officers engaged in covert duties. 26 references.