NCJ Number
19992
Date Published
1974
Length
47 pages
Annotation
AN ACCOUNT OF THE ORGANIZATIONAL SOCIALIZATION PROCESS ASSOCIATED WITH THE PATROLMAN'S ROLE IN AN URBAN POLICE DEPARTMENT, INCLUDING THE LEARNED GUIDELINES AND RULES THAT ACTUALLY GUIDE THE POLICEMAN IN EVERYDAY ACTIVITIES.
Abstract
THE DATA FOR THE ANALYSIS WERE DRAWN FROM A PARTICIPANT-OBSERVATION STUDY CONDUCTED IN AN URBAN POLICE DEPARTMENT. THE AUTHOR GRADUATED FROM THE POLICE ACADEMY AND JOINED THE PATROL DIVISION AS AN ARMED BACKSEAT OBSERVER. A FOLLOW-UP STUDY WAS CONDUCTED TWO AND ONE-HALF YEARS LATER. THE SOCIALIZATION PROCESS IS DESCRIBED THROUGH THE PHASES OF PRE-ENTRY, ADMITTANCE, CHANGE, AND CONTINUANCE. THE CRITICAL OCCUPATIONAL PERSPECTIVES DEVELOPED AS THE NEW MEMBER PASSES THROUGH HIS INITIATION RITUALS, AND THE WORK RELATED RULES OR OPERATING AXIOMS WHICH DEFINE THE PATROLMAN'S ACTIVITIES ARE ALSO DESCRIBED. SEVERAL COLORFUL EXERPTS FROM INTERVIEWS WITH PATROLMEN ARE INCLUDED IN WHICH THE OFFICERS EXPRESS THEIR OPINIONS ON SUCH SUBJECTS AS THE USE OF FORCE, PERSONAL SAFETY, TRAINING, AND POLICE METHODS.