NCJ Number
37107
Date Published
1976
Length
334 pages
Annotation
THIS TEXTBOOK IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE THE POLICE OFFICER WITH A WORKING KNOWLEDGE OF THE PHILOSOPHY OF AMERICAN GOVERNMENT AND A FUNCTIONAL ACQUAINTANCE WITH ITS OPERATION AT ALL LEVELS - LOCAL, STATE, AND FEDERAL.
Abstract
WRITTEN FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER, IT EMPHASIZES THOSE AREAS OF DIRECT INTEREST AND IMPORTANCE TO THE LAW ENFORCEMENT FUNCTION. COVERED ARE THE CULTURAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT FUNCTIONS - POLITICAL CULTURE IN THE UNITED STATES, THE FOUNDATIONS OF THE AMERICAN CONSTITUTION, THE CONSTITUTIONAL DOCUMENT, AND THE POLITICAL SYSTEM OF FEDERALISM. THE INSTITUTIONS OF THE U.S. GOVERNMENT - CONGRESS, THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH, AND THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM - ARE ALSO EXAMINED. IN ADDITION, THE HISTORICAL FOUNDATIONS AND SAFEGUARDS OF CIVIL LIBERTIES, POLITICAL GROUPS IN A DEMOGRACY, INTEREST GROUPS AND THEIR PRESSURES, THE STATE, MUNICIPAL, AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, AND THE POLICE IN A DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY ARE ALL DISCUSSED. APPENDED MATERIALS INCLUDE A LIST OF CASE CITATIONS, A COPY OF THE U.S. CONSTITUTION, A LIST OF SUGGESTED READINGS, AND AN INDEX.