ROTTERDAM POLICE DEPARTMENT AND AN IMPORTANT AREA OF DISCRETION - A STUDY OF THE POLICY OF THE ROTTERDAM POLICE ON SUSPENSION OF DRIVING LICENSES UNDER SECTION 27 OF THE TRAFFIC ACT - NETHERLANDS

• NCJ Number: 61093
• Journal: ABSTRACTS ON POLICE SCIENCE Volume: 7 Issue: 2 Dated: (MARCH-APRIL 1979) Pages: 65-74
• Author(s): D VANOOIJEN
• Date Published: 1979
• Length: 10 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: Netherlands

Annotation

THE STUDY EXAMINES FACTORS WHICH INFLUENCE DECISIONS MADE BY ROTTERDAM POLICE OFFICERS TO SUSPEND A DRUNKEN DRIVER'S LICENSE AND CONCLUDES THAT POLICE GENERALLY ACT IN ACCORDANCE WITH OFFICIAL GUIDELINES.

Abstract

THEORIES CONCERNING JUDGMENTAL DISCRETION EXERCISED BY POLICE OFFICERS IN A FRONTLINE SITUATION ARE DISCUSSED. DISCRETIONARY SITUATIONS INVOLVE LAW ENFORCEMENT, ORDER MAINTENANCE, AND ASSISTANCE BOTH IN POLICE-INVOKED AND CITIZEN-INVOKED ACTIONS. RESEARCH INDICATES THAT STEREOTYPES, SOCIAL CLASS, OR AN UNCOOPERATIVE ATTITUDE AFFECT A POLICE OFFICER'S TREATMENT OF A SUSPECT. TO ASSESS THE INFLUENCE OF PERSONAL ATTITUDES AND GUIDELINES PROVIDED BY THE PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE ON A POLICE OFFICER'S DECISION TO SUSPEND THE LICENSE OF A DRUNK DRIVER, THE ROTTERDAM POLICE REPORTS FOR THE FIRST 6 MONTHS OF 1975 AND 1976 WERE EXAMINED. THIS INFORMATION WAS TABULATED UNDER SUSPENDED AND NOT SUSPENDED CATEGORIES FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS: SITUATION ENCOUNTERED BY POLICE, CRIMINAL RECORD OF ALCOHOL OFFENSES, ALCOHOL RECIDIVISM, BLOOD ALCOHOL CONCENTRATION, SEX, AGE, MARITAL STATUS, SOCIAL CLASS, RESIDENCE, SITE OF DRINKING, NUMBER OF BARS VISITED, OCCASION FOR DRINKING, USE OF DRUGS, REFUSAL OF BLOOD OR BREATH TEST, TYPE OF VEHICLE, DAY OF THE WEEK, AND TIME OF DAY. TWO TABLES PRESENT THE RESULTS. THESE DATA CLEARLY DEMONSTRATE THAT ROTTERDAM POLICE ACTED LARGELY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROSECUTOR'S GUIDELINES, AND THAT PERSONAL PREJUDICES PLAYED A NEGLIBLE ROLE. (MJM)