NCJ Number
14733
Journal
Criminologist Volume: 9 Issue: 31 Dated: (WINTER 1974) Pages: 46-60
Date Published
1974
Length
15 pages
Annotation
THE SOCIAL SETTING OF TRAFFIC WARDENS IN ENGLAND ACCOUNTS FOR SOME ASPECTS OF THEIR BEHAVIOR AND FOR THEIR PREFERENCES CONCERNING ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGES.
Abstract
TRAFFIC WARDENS ARE INCREASING IN NUMBERS - LONDON HAS OVER 2,000. THEIR RANGE OF DUTIES AND AUTHORITY ARE ALSO BEING ENLARGED. THEY ARE CIVILIANS, OR PARA CIVILIANS, OPERATING UNDER THE AEGIS OF THE POLICE STRUCTURE, BUT THE SYSTEM OF CONTROL OVER THEM IS NOT THE POLICE DISCIPLINARY CODE. THEY ARE ENSNARED IN THE 'CLASSICAL' STRUCTURAL CONDITIONS OF MARGINALITY. THE TENDENCY TO AMPLIFY THEIR DUTIES AND AUTHORITY HAS A DOUBLE MOMENTUM. THERE IS THE IMPETUS DERIVING FROM THE WARDENS THEMSELVES, WHO WISH TO RAISE THEIR OCCUPATIONAL PRESTIGE AND CAREER PROSPECTS, AND ALSO TO BE ABLE TO FULFIL MORE EFFECTIVELY THEIR STREET MANDATE. THERE IS ALSO THE MORE 'FRAGMENTED' AND LATENT TENDENCY EMBODIED IN THE POLICE STRUCTURE, WHICH WISHES TO USE THEM FOR OTHER DUTIES AND SO RELIEVE THE STRAIN ON THE POLICEMAN. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT).