Comparison of Demographic Characteristics and Personal Attitudes of Police Officers to Their Drunk Driving Enforcement Performance

• NCJ Number: 85833
• Author(s): D D Bryde
• Date Published: 1981
• Length: 178 pages
• Sale Source: UMI Dissertation Services
• Publication Type: Thesis/Dissertation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS. Michigan State University - doctoral dissertation

Annotation

Specific personal attitudes and selected demographic characteristics of police officers are related to their levels of drunk driving enforcement.

Abstract

Those characteristics and attitudes of police officers from two Midwest police departments that are related to higher enforcement levels include perception that arrest procedures are 'too time consuming' and involve too much 'paperwork,' perception that financial incentives for drunk driving arrests are inadequate for the extra time spent, and perception that citizens support strict enforcement. Officers with high enforcement levels also thought that most drinkers are guilty of drunk driving at some time and recognized the value of strict drunk driving enforcement. Officers with lower enforcement levels tended to pass up a drunk driving arrest if there was a department manpower shortage and saw drunk drivers as uncooperative, insulting, or alcoholic. These officers also tended to drink too much at times and still drive and saw no value in arresting drunk drivers who had caused no serious violations. Data tables, footnotes, the study questionnaire, and about 50 references are included. (Author abstract modified)