NCJ Number
7634
Journal
Law and Order Volume: 20 Issue: 11 Dated: (NOVEMBER 1972) Pages: 49-80
Date Published
1972
Length
9 pages
Annotation
CIRCUMSTANCES WHICH JUSTIFY STOPS AND TEMPORARY DETENTION OF SUSPECTS BY POLICE OFFICERS, AND SUGGESTED PROCEDURES FOR INTERVIEWING THE SUSPECT AND RECORDING THE RESULTS.
Abstract
THE FIELD INQUIRY IS A PROVEN METHOD OF PREVENTING CRIME, LOCATING WITNESSES AND VICTIMS OF CRIME AS WELL AS DETECTING AND APPREHENDING CRIMINALS. IT IS A FACT, HOWEVER, THAT IN MANY COMMUNITIES FIELD INQUIRIES ARE A MAJOR SOURCE OF FRICTION BETWEEN THE POLICE AND CITIZENS. THIS IS BECOMING PARTICULARLY TRUE AS MORE POLICE DEPARTMENTS ADOPT THE AGGRESSIVE PATROL IN WHICH OFFICERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO STOP AND QUESTION PERSONS WHO ARE UNKNOWN TO THEM, WHO ARE SUSPICIOUS, OR WHOSE PURPOSE FOR BEING AT SUCH LOCATION IS NOT READILY EVIDENT. THESE NEGATIVE ASPECTS CAN BE OVERCOME, HOWEVER, IF EACH OFFICER REMEMBERS THE RELEVANT FACTORS NECESSARY TO SANCTION FIELD INQUIRIES AND THAT THE END RESULTS OF EVERY INQUIRY, IDENTIFICATION, INFORMATION AND PREVENTION, CAN BEST BE ACHIEVED THROUGH AN OPEN, FRIENDLY, PROFESSIONAL APPROACH. AUTHOR ABSTRACT