NCJ Number
35755
Journal
Police Chief Volume: 42 Issue: 10 Dated: (OCTOBER 1975) Pages: 54-55
Date Published
1975
Length
2 pages
Annotation
BASED ON A 'TONGUE IN CHEEK' DESCRIPTION OF A DISCRETION-FREE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM MANNED ENTIRELY BY UNTHINKING COMPUTERIZED ROBOTS, THE AUTHOR CRITICIZES THE PUBLIC'S COMPLAINTS REGARDING POLICE DISCRETION.
Abstract
THE AUTHOR CLAIMS THAT THE PUBLIC DOES ACT UNDERSTAND THE ROLE THAT DISCRETION PLAYS IN THE PERFORMANCE OF THE POLICE DUTIES. HE ARGUES THAT THEY UNFAIRLY COMPARE REAL POLICE PERFORMANCE TO THAT SHOWN ON POPULAR TELEVISION SHOWS, WHICH GIVE AN UNREALISTIC PICTURE OF THE POLICE ROLE. FINALLY, HE CLAIMS THAT THE PUBLIC SHOULD PROVIDE INCREASED SUPPORT TO POLICE IF THE PRACTICE OF ABUSE OF DISCRETION IS TO BE ELIMINATED.