NCJ Number
88953
Date Published
1983
Length
28 pages
Annotation
This British study found that police officer competency and style, factors influenced by organizational dynamics, affected the production of assault arrests under the Offenses Against the Person Act of 1861.
Abstract
The statistical analysis of the assault arrests was part of a larger study based on one territorial division of a British city police force. Specifically, police officer style and competency were examined in their influence upon assault arrests. The concept of style draws attention to certain orientations of an officer, notably working philosophy. It includes conceptions of role and role satisfactions desired. Style informs an officer's approach to situations, search procedure, what is looked for, and assessment of what is found. Competency refers to an officer's skill in identifying and using the resources required to accomplish the desired outcome for the case. Findings did show that assault arrests were related to officer competency and style, which would indicate that arrests for particular crimes are more indicative of organizational and officer characteristics than the frequency of particular crimes. Further, comparing arrest statistics across departments at a given time as well as nationally says little about crime problems in various areas and the country as a whole. Tabular data and two notes are provided.