VIOLENCE AND THE POLICE - A SOCIOLOGICAL STUDY OF LAW, CUSTOM, AND MORALITY

• NCJ Number: 2332
• Author(s): W A WESTLEY
• Date Published: 1970
• Length: 222 pages
• Sale Source: MIT Press
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: HV8138.W4

Annotation

STUDY OF THE NATURE AND FUNCTION OF POLICE WORK, POLICE ORGANIZATION AND OCCUPATIONAL CULTURE AS THEY RELATE TO POLICE SELF-IMAGE AND JOB PERFORMANCE.

Abstract

THIS VOLUME LOOKS AT THE NATURE OF POLICE ACTIVITIES, HOW THE POLICE ARE ORGANIZED AND HOW THEY FUNCTION, THE KIND OF MEN THEY EMPLOY, AND THE WAYS IN WHICH THEY BUILD A SPECIAL OCCUPATIONAL CULTURE THAT DEFINES THE POLICEMAN'S ROLE IN SOCIETY. IDENTIFIED ARE THE FORCES THAT LEAD TO SUCH CULTURAL NORMS AS SECRECY, LEGITIMATE VIOLENCE, AND MAINTENANCE OF RESPECT, AND DESCRIBES THE CONSEQUENCES THEY HAVE FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT, BASED ON INTERVIEWS AND OBSERVATION. IT PROVIDES AN UNDERSTANDING OF POLICE ATTITUDES, WHAT ACTIONS THEY ARE LIKELY TO TAKE IN DIFFERENT SITUATIONS, AND WHAT IS NECESSARY FOR POLICE REFORM.