NCJ Number
17769
Journal
Journal of Police Science and Administration Volume: 1 Issue: 3 Dated: (SEPTEMBER 1973) Pages: 366-369
Date Published
1973
Length
4 pages
Annotation
PAPER WHICH PRESENTS DATA ON THE VALUE STRUCTURE OF COOK COUNTY (IL) POLICEMEN AND OFFERS POSSIBLE EXPLANATIONS FOR ANY DIFFERENCES FROM THE RESULTS OF THE VALUE PATTERNS EXHIBITED BY LANSING (MI) POLICEMEN.
Abstract
THE LANSING STUDY EXAMINED THE VALUE STRUCTURE OF CITY POLICEMEN IN RELATION TO THE VALUES OF A REPRESENTATIVE NATIONAL SAMPLE OF BLACK AND WHITE AMERICANS. IT REVEALED THAT POLICEMEN TENDED TO BE MORE CONCERNED WITH A PERSONAL VALUE AND SELF ASSERTION WITH SOCIAL VALUES AND CONCERN FOR OTHERS. THEY WERE ALSO QUITE CONSERVATIVE AND UNSYMPATHETIC AS REFLECTED BY A RELATIVELY LOW IMPORTANCE ASSIGNED TO THE VALUES OF EQUALITY, HELPFULNESS, FORGIVENESS, AND BROADMINDEDNESS, THE VALUE SCALE USED IN THE LANSING STUDY WAS ADMINISTERED TO ONE SHIFT OF THE COOK COUNTY SHERIFF'S POLICE ASSIGNED TO THE JUVENILE DIVISION. THIS INSTRUMENT INVOLVES THE RANKING OF 18 INSTRUMENTAL (MEANS TO ENDS) AND 18 TERMINAL (ENDS) VALUES IN ORDER OF THEIR IMPORTANCE TO THE RESPONDENT. IT WAS HYPOTHESIZED THAT THE COOK COUNTY POLICEMEN'S VALUES WOULD SHOW AN EVEN WIDER DIFFERENTIAL FROM A NATIONAL SAMPLE OF WHITES THAN THE LANSING POLICEMEN'S VALUES. INSPECTION OF THE DATA SHOWED THIS TO BE TRUE. SEVERAL REASONS ARE SUGGESTED FOR THIS VALUE SYSTEM INCLUDING THE ALIENATION OF THE POLICE AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC; POLICE ISOLATION CAUSED BY LACK OF PUBLIC RESPECT; PROBLEMS CAUSED BY THE NECESSITY TO ENFORCE UNPOPULAR LAWS; AND THE FACT POLICEMEN ARE IN THE FOREFRONT OF CIVIL RIGHTS CONFRONTATIONS AND VIEW JUDICIAL DECISIONS ON THE RIGHTS OF MINORITIES AND CRIMINAL SUSPECTS AS IMPEDIMENTS TO HIS JOB.