NCJ Number
45419
Journal
Social Problems Volume: 24 Issue: 5 Dated: (JUNE 1977) Pages: 565-575
Date Published
1977
Length
11 pages
Annotation
CONCRETE USES OF MARGINAL SOCIAL TYPES BY MEMBERS OF SOCIAL GROUPS OR ORGANIZATIONS, SPECIFICALLY POLICE DEPARTMENTS, ARE ANALYZED.
Abstract
THE STUDY REPORTS ON THREE DEVIANT SOCIAL TYPES IN SMALL POLICE DEPARTMENTS: THE 'DOOR MAN,' THE 'MOUTH MAN,' AND THE 'WHEEL MAN.' A DOOR MAN IS AN OFFICER WHO CONSISTENTLY DEMONSTRATES AMBITION AND WHO VIOLATES THE CAMARADERIE AMONG PEERS BY FREQUENTLY ASSOCIATING WITH ADMINISTRATIVE SUPERIORS OR BY TRYING IN A VARIETY OF WAYS TO 'GET IN GOOD WITH THE BRASS.' A MOUTH MAN IS ONE WHO WITHIN THE GENERAL CULTURE WOULD BE CALLED A GOSSIP. IN A SUBCULTURE WHICH PLACES GREAT EMPHASIS ON A CODE OF SECRECY, THE STIGMA ASSOCIATED WITH INDISCRETION IN COMMUNICATIONS IS SEVERE. A WHEEL MAN IS AN OFFICER ON MOTOR VEHICLE PATROL WHO HAS A PREDILECTION FOR HIGH SPEED CHASES AND RECKLESS ABANDON BEHIND THE WHEEL OF HIS SQUAD CAR. HOSTILITY FROM OTHER OFFICERS RESULTS FROM THEIR PERCEIVED DAMAGE TO THE DEPARTMENT'S IMAGE RESULTING FROM HIS ACTIONS AND FROM DAMAGE TO PATROL CARS WHICH OTHERS MUST SHARE. THE STUDY FOCUSES ON THE PRACTICAL AND INDIVIDUALISTIC USES OF THESE MARGINAL GROUP MEMBERS. IT IS ARGUED THAT DEVIANT ROLES PROVIDE INSTITUTIONALIZED MEANS BY WHICH NONDEVIANT MEMBERS MAY INDIRECTLY VIOLATE OR EVADE NORMS WHEN IT IS TO THEIR ADVANTAGE TO DO SO. IT IS FOR THESE REASONS THAT GROUPS MAY NEED THEIR DEVIANTS. REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED).