FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE IN PURSUIT OF WILLIE SUTTON - A THEORY OF THE POLICE (FROM POTENTIAL FOR REFORM OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE, 1974 BY HERBERT JACOB - SEE NCJ-19989)

• NCJ Number: 19990
• Author(s): F BITTNER
• Date Published: 1974
• Length: 27 pages
• Corporate Author: Sage Publications, Inc
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS.

Annotation

IT IS ARGUED THAT THE ROLE OF THE POLICE IS TO IMPOSE, OR IF NECESSARY, COERCE A PROVISIONAL SOLUTION UPON EMERGENT PROBLEMS OR EMERGENCY SITUATIONS, WITHOUT HAVING TO DEFER TO OPPOSITION OF ANY KIND.

Abstract

THE AUTHOR CONTENDS THAT THIS ALONE IS WHAT THE EXISTENCE OF THE POLICE UNIQUELY PROVIDES, AND IT IS ON THIS BASIS THAT THEY MAY BE REQUIRED TO CATCH CRIMINALS AND TEND THE SICK, DEPENDING ON THE OCCASION. IN MAKING THIS ARGUMENT, A DISCUSSION OF THE OFFICIAL BASIS FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT AND AN OVERVIEW OF THE ACTUAL INVOLVEMENT OF THE POLICE IN ENFORCEMENT OF CRIMINAL LAW ARE PROVIDED. THE ELEMENTS OF ROUTINE POLICE PRACTICE, THE TYPES OF SITUATIONS WHICH GENERALLY SUMMON POLICE INTERVENTION, AND THE ROLE THAT POLICE FORCE PLAYS IN THESE INTERVENTIONS ARE ALSO INVESTIGATED. FINALLY, THE PRACTICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF POLICE WORK IN SOCIETY AND THE SKILLS THAT SHOULD COME INTO PLAY AS A POLICE OFFICER ARE DISCUSSED.