CAPACITY TO USE FORCE AS THE CORE OF THE POLICE ROLE (FROM POLICE IN AMERICA, 1975, BY JEROME H SKOLNICK AND THOMAS C GRAY - SEE NCJ-19813)

• NCJ Number: 19818
• Author(s): E BITTNER
• Date Published: 1975
• Length: 8 pages
• Corporate Author: Little, Brown and Co
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

A NEW DEFINITION OF THE POLICE ROLE IS OFFERED IN WHICH THE POLICE ARE VIEWED AS THE MECHANISM FOR THE DISTRIBUTION OF SITUATIONALLY JUSTIFIED FORCE IN SOCIETY INSTEAD OF AS AGENTS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT.

Abstract

THE AUTHOR ARGUES THAT BECAUSE ONLY A SMALL PART OF THE ACTIVITY OF THE POLICE IS DEDICATED TO LAW ENFORCEMENT AND BECAUSE THEY DEAL WITH THE MAJORITY OF THEIR PROBLEMS WITHOUT INVOKING THE LAW, THE CONCEPT OF 'LAW ENFORCERS' DOES NOT SEEM TO ACCURATELY REFLECT THE ROLE THEY PLAY IN SOCIETY. HE STATES THAT INSTEAD, THE ROLE OF THE POLICE IS TO ADDRESS ALL SORTS OF HUMAN PROBLEMS WHEN AND INSOFAR AS THEIR SOLUTIONS DO OR MAY POSSIBLY REQUIRE THE USE OF FORCE AT THE POINT OF THEIR OCCURRENCE. THIS IS SEEN AS LENDING HOMOGENEITY TO SUCH DIVERSE PROCEDURES AS CATCHING A CRIMINAL, EVICTING A DRUNKEN PERSON FROM A BAR, DIRECTING RRAFFIC, CROWD CONTROL, TAKING CARE OF LOST CHILDREN, ADMINISTERING MEDICAL FIRST AID, AND SEPARATING FIGHTING RELATIVES. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)