mainstream and crosscurrents, second edition chapter 7 issues in policing

Mainstream and Crosscurrents, Second Edition

Chapter 7Chapter 7

Issues in PolicingIssues in Policing

Criminal Justice: Mainstream and Crosscurrents, 2/eJohn Randolph Fuller

© 2010 Pearson Higher Education,Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458. • All Rights Reserved.2

Challenges to traditional policing

Community policing Problem-oriented policing Zero-tolerance policing Broken windows theory and police

problems




Community policing

Recalls the watchman style

Attempts to harness community resources and residents in stopping crime and maintaining order

Covers a vast array of activities




Problem-oriented policing

Related to community policing

Expands the officer's role from reaction to proactive problem solving.

Allows agencies to address crime on a more systemic level than traditional policing




Zero-tolerance policing

A refinement of problem-oriented policing

Based on the broken windows theory

If every infraction of the law is punished, offenders will not commit more serious offenses.




Broken windows & police problems

According to the broken windows theory, vandalism and criminal activity are more likely to occur in areas that appear abandoned or neglected.




Broken windows & police problems

Misreading of how communities were policed in the past

Concern for the rights of all citizens

Problem of crime displacement

Reasons to be cautious about broken windows theory …



Gender and race

Women & minorities as police officers

The number of female officers continues to increase.

Black officers can be found on nearly every US police force.

Black officers may experience double marginality.



Police use of force

Physical force is considered legitimate only under the following circumstances …



Police use of force

Self-defense

Specifically deputized persons against some specifically named persons

Police force



Police use of force

SWAT teams

The militarization of the police and the war-on-crime analogy are the most apparent in the Special Weapons and Tactics divisions of law enforcement agencies.



Police use of force

Proactive policing and force

Sometimes the police structure situations to give crime an opportunity to occur.



Police stress and burnout

Police and alcohol Family problems and the police Police and suicide Dealing with the stress of

policing



CrossCurrents Stress and Burnout

Suicide by cop

Refers to suspects attempting to be killed by police officers.

The police officer is a victim of a purposeful act by the suspect.

“Police-assisted suicide”?




Police and alcohol

Stress and the police subculture may exert a powerful influence on drinking patterns.




Police and alcohol

The subculture may socialize new officers into accepting a pattern of after-shift drinking.

Socialization in the police subculture establishes that drinking is not deviant.

Normalization of drinking may preclude treatment because "every one of my friends drinks."




Police and alcohol

Many public safety organizations have instituted drug and alcohol testing to ensure that police officers are capable of performing their jobs.




Family problems & the police

The individual police officer is not the only one affected by stress. Family members often experience stress, as well.




Family problems & the police

Officers may appear withdrawn and disinterested in the family.

Family members may fear for an officer's safety.

Rotating shifts may cause hardships.




Police and suicide

Many studies have shown that law enforcement has one of the highest suicide rates of any occupation.



CrossCurrents Stress and Burnout

Another look at police suicide

Some studies show high rates of police suicide.

Robert Loo: There are problems with the way police suicide rates are calculated.

Compare officers to their demographic characteristics.




Dealing with the stress of policing

Stress management and stress reduction techniques

Group process sessions

Police mentoring

Arrigo and Garsky make three suggestions to reduce police stress…



Police subculture and police corruption

Policeman's working personality explains how police officers are drawn into a subculture that emphasizes a different set of values from those of mainstream society.



Police subculture and police corruption

Policeman's working personality

Key elements Symbolic assailant Danger Social isolation Solidarity




Symbolic assailant

Police officers are systematically trained and culturally reinforced to consider everyone a potential assailant until they determine that an individual poses no threat.




Danger

Although death in the line of duty and serious physical injury are not frequent, the possibility of confrontation is always there.




Social Isolation

Police officers may perceive an individual as a symbolic assailant, but the public sees the police officer as a symbolic authority figure.

Skolnick: social isolation causes many officers to limit their social interactions.




Solidarity

The combination of danger and social isolation creates a sense of solidarity in the police subculture.

“Us against them” mentality is possible.



QuestionsQuestions

What is community policing? What is problem-oriented policing? What is broken-windows theory?

mainstream and crosscurrents, second edition chapter 7 issues in policing

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