NCJ Number
156689
Journal
Criminal Justice Policy Review Volume: 7 Issue: 1 Dated: (1995) Pages: 67-90
Date Published
1995
Length
24 pages
Annotation
This article proposes and outlines a three-stage process model to explain reactions to public police violence by victims, police, the public, and the government.
Abstract
The model conceptualizes the response to public police violence in three stages: arousal, reaction, and outcomes. Arousal refers to the extent and type of perception created by "news" of public police violence; it concerns both the factors associated with the report of police violence and the types of individuals and groups that might respond. Reaction pertains to the behavior of the community of concern. Outcomes involve actions by the concerned parties in an effort to address the situation in a manner that reflects their views and values regarding appropriate police behavior. The most desirable outcomes are the new, practical, internal and external controls imposed upon the police and those implemented by the police. The less desirable outcomes are increased public relations efforts and resistance. This model should help researchers organize and develop a series of hypotheses to determine whether or not arousal and reaction lead to increased control of police violence. Suggestions are offered for such research. 11 notes and a 66-item bibliography