NCJ Number
138387
Journal
Canadian Police College Journal Volume: 16 Issue: 2 Dated: (1992) Pages: 135-156
Date Published
1992
Length
22 pages
Annotation
This report discusses the findings of five government inquiries into policing in Canada, with emphasis on the organizational characteristics that explain the actions of police personnel.
Abstract
The inquiries ranged from examinations of specific allegations of police misconduct to broader analyses of criminal justice agencies. The inquiries indicated that concern for or misunderstanding of the relationships between the police and other agencies can divert police officers from their main responsibilities. They also indicated weaknesses in the hierarchical, paramilitary approach to organizing police. In addition, professional loyalty to other police officers can cause them to avoid criticizing or confronting other police officers and other police services. Other problems relate to police-community relations and the initial responses of police to requests for assistance. The results supported the conclusion that understanding the actions of police officers requires an analysis of the social and subcultural nature of policing as an institution and does not focus solely on the personal characteristics of individual police officers. 27 references