CRIME, POLICE, AND RACE RELATIONS - A STUDY IN BIRMINGHAM

• NCJ Number: 14173
• Author(s): J R LAMBERT
• Date Published: 1970
• Length: 336 pages
• Sale Source: Oxford University Press
• Publication Type: Statistics
• Language: English
• Country: United Kingdom

Annotation

CRIME IS JUDGED TO BE RELATED TO THE SOCIOECONOMIC DEFICIENCIES OF AN INDUSTRIALIZED URBAN CITY INDEPENDENT OF THE RACE OF INHABITANTS, AND THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS CONCLUSION FOR POLICE ATTITUDES AND ACTION ARE EXPLORED.

Abstract

FAMILY INSTABILITY, POOR EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, DRAB AND INADEQUATE HOUSING, AND RESTRICTED JOB OPPORTUNITIES AND SATISFACTION ARE CONSIDERED THE SOCIOECONOMIC PROBLEMS THAT TEND TO PRECIPITATE ANTISOCIAL BEHAVIOR. IT IS CONCLUDED THAT PATTERNS OF WHITE, MIDDLE CLASS RACIAL DISCRIMINATION CONTRIBUTE TO FORCES THAT RELEGATE BLACKS TO SOCIOECONOMIC CONDITIONS THAT STIMULATE CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR. BIRMINGHAM POLICE IN VARYING DEGREES REFLECTED THE RACIAL PREJUDICES OF THE WHITE MIDDLE CLASS. IT IS PROPOSED THAT THROUGH LEARNING, DISCUSSION, AND SOCIAL ASSOCIATION WITH BLACKS IN BEAT AREAS POLICE WOULD BE PREPARED TO DEAL SENSITIVELY AND EFFECTIVELY WITH THOSE CAUGHT UP IN THE PROBLEMS LARGELY ENGENDERED BY THEIR ENVIRONMENT.