NCJ Number
108181
Date Published
1982
Length
9 pages
Annotation
This article reviews attitudes of the Canadian police concerning capital punishment, gun control, social workers, law courts and lawyers, bail, innovation and change, the Police Association, female police, the use of force, and the public.
Abstract
The attitudes reviewed were taken from a study based on long-term observations of a police force in a medium-sized Canadian city. Findings indicate that police show an extremely high degree of occupational solidarity and find their social identity in their occupational environment. Respondents displayed a high degree of unanimity about the need for capital punishment, particularly as a means of justice and a way of reducing the number of dangerous people in society. Police strongly favored stricter gun control laws. Social workers were viewed as easily fooled 'bleeding hearts' who created further difficulty for the police. Judges and criminal lawyers and the way justice was dispensed were criticized, with courts viewed as revolving doors that put criminals back on the streets too quickly. Police felt that Crown attorneys were overworked and that more were needed. A need for more judges was also commonly expressed. Police were especially opposed to bail for people accused of violent crimes and felt that changes in bail law would make their jobs more difficult. Older police opposed radical departmental change and were critical of higher educational requirements, while younger police viewed upgrading educational requirements as inevitable. The Police Association viewed itself as an adversary of police administration and opposed departmental changes. Female police were viewed as potential threats. Force was accepted as integral to police work, and police were reluctant to report those who used it excessively. Police did not view the public as sympathetic nor did they wish to associate too closely with the public. However, Canadian police felt they had more respect than American police. 2 references.