NCJ Number
75362
Date Published
1975
Length
0 pages
Annotation
This instructional package designed for instructing California police officers in investigating disturbance of the peace complaints is composed of an audio cassette recording, a film strip, and a participant workbook.
Abstract
Disturbing the peace is one of the most frequent types of calls received by police officers. These disturbances can usually be settled easily at the start, but may quickly escalate into major calamities. Disturbing the peace violations include: (1) fights in public places, (2) malicious intent to disturb the peace through loud and unreasonable noises, and (3) using offensive words inherently likely to draw a violent reaction. For assemblages to be shown to be disturbing the peace, it must be demonstrated that the particpants refused to disband upon orders from a peace officer. Drawing a firearm or other deadly weapon in a rude, angry, or threatening manner also represents a disturbance of the peace; should the gun be pointed at a victim, the suspect would be charged with a more serious crime. Police officers must be careful to avoid violating suspects' constitutional rights of assembly and freedom of speech in arresting disturbers of the peace. The basic intent of peace disturbance laws is to prevent the occurrence of more serious crimes. The participant workbook includes a unit overview, supplemental activities, and test questions. An instructor's answer key is also included.