BUREAUCRACY, INFORMATION, AND SOCIAL CONTROL - A STUDY OF A MORALS DETAIL (FROM THE POLICE - SIX SOCIOLOGICAL ESSAYS BY D.J.BORDUA - SEE NCJ-01765)

• NCJ Number: 2043
• Author(s): J H SKOLNICK; J R WOODWORTH
• Date Published: 1967
• Length: 37 pages
• Corporate Author: John Wiley and Sons
• Publication Format: Book (Hardbound)
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THE CONSEQUENCES OF INCREASED POLICE EFFICIENCY AND ORGANIZATIONAL SOPHISTICATION IS DISCUSSED IN TERMS OF SOCIETY'S DESIRE FOR LEGAL REGULATION.

Abstract

THIS ESSAY WARNS OF SOME POSSIBLE CONSEQUENCES OF THIS INCREASING ORGANIZATIONAL AND INTERORGANIZATIONAL SOPHISTICATION. WITH EFFICIENT WELFARE AND POLICE SERVICES WHICH WORK MORE CLOSELY TOGETHER AMERICAN SOCIETY MUST CONFRONT THE FACT THAT INEFFICIENCY AND LACK OF COOPERATION CAN NO LONGER BE RELIED UPON TO SOFTEN THE IMPACT OF LEGAL REGULATION. THE AUTHORS RAISE THIS PROBLEM IN CONNECTION WITH THE ENFORCEMENT OF ONE OF THE MORE AMBIGUOUS AREAS OF LAW. THE DESCRIPTION OF THE HANDLING OF STATUTORY RAPE COMPLAINTS INDICATES THAT FOR ALL THE MODERNIZATION OF POLICE PRACTICE WHICH HAS OCCURRED IN THE LAST FEW DECADES, MUCH OF THE BUSINESS OF THE POLICE IS STILL TO SERVE AS THE GENERAL CLEANUP SQUAD FOR A SOCIETY WHOSE ZEAL FOR CREATING LAWS IS NOT ALWAYS MATCHED WITH THE SAME WILLINGNESS TO ACCEPT THEIR IMPLICATIONS. (EDITOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)