NCJ Number
61067
Journal
Policy Studies Journal Volume: 7 Dated: SPECIAL ISSUE (1978) Pages: COMPLETE ISSUE
Editor(s)
F A MEYER,
R BAKER
Date Published
1978
Length
144 pages
Annotation
THIS SYMPOSIUM EDITION BEGINS THE SERIES ON LAW ENFORCEMENT AND POLICE POLICY BY EXAMINING THE VARIOUS FACTORS WHICH ACCOUNT FOR DIFFERENCES IN POLICY AND BY ANALYZING THE USE OF POLICE SERVICES.
Abstract
THE POLITICS OF THE 1970'S, WITH THEIR EMPHASIS ON RESOURCE LIMITATIONS, PROVIDE A PROPER SETTING FOR DESCRIPTION, ANALYSIS, AND CRITIQUE OF POLICE AND LAW ENFORCEMENT POLICY IN THE UNITED STATES. THE THREE SECTIONS OF THIS EDITION ADDRESS VARIOUS ASPECTS OF SUCH POLICIES. ARTICLES DEAL WITH THE FORMULATION OF POLICY AND THE IMPACT OF FORMAL INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS ON POLICE POLICY. CHANGING TECHNOLOGY AND THE APPEARANCE OF WHITE-COLLAR CRIME ARE SHOWN TO HAVE AFFECTED POLICE WORK. IN ADDITION, ENFORCING POLICE POLICY INVOLVES DISCRETION AS EXERCISED BY THE OFFICER IN THE FIELD. THE RELATION OF ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE TO THIS DISCRETION IS EXAMINED, AS IS THE USE OF FORCE BY OFFICERS. THE SUGGESTION THAT PROFESSIONALIZATION OF POLICE DEPARTMENTS WILL PROVIDE FOR LESS ARBITRARY USE OF DISCRETIONARY POWER IS ALSO INVESTIGATED. A CRITIQUE OF POLICE TRAINING ON CRIMINAL PROCEDURE AND THE EFFECT OF POLICE SOCIALIZATION IS PRESENTED. FINALLY, THE USE OF POLICE SERVICES AND THE EXTENT OF CITIZEN SATISFACTION WITH POLICE SERVICES ARE EMPHASIZED. IN THE PRESENT SYSTEM, CITIZENS ARE IMPORTANT COPRODUCERS OF COMMUNITY SAFETY, AND SOME CASES OF POLICE ABUSE REVEALED BY THE MEDIA MAY ACTUALLY IMPROVE THE PUBLIC'S RESPECT FOR THE POLICE. THE IMPACT OF POLICE-COMMUNITY RELATIONS PROGRAMS ON CRIME REDUCTION IS INVESTIGATED. TABULAR DATA, REFERENCES, AND ABSTRACTS OF THE ARTICLES ARE PROVIDED. (TWK)