NCJ Number
42492
Date Published
1977
Length
366 pages
Annotation
THIS TEXT EXAMINES THE NATURE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE, THEIR MAJOR PROBLEMS, THE PRINCIPAL CAUSES OF THESE PROBLEMS, AND VARIOUS PROPOSALS FOR THEIR REDUCTION.
Abstract
IT INCLUDES, THEREFORE, CHAPTERS ON SUCH MATTERS AS POLICE ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION, THE CRIMINAL LAW, THE SELECTION, EDUCATION, AND TRAINING OF POLICE OFFICERS, PATROL OPERATION, THE FUNCTIONS OF CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION, THE REGULATION OF TRAFFIC, THE MAINTENANCE OF POLICE RECORDS, AND THE IMPORTANCE OF PLANNING. IN EACH CHAPTER, HOWEVER, AN EFFORT IS MADE TO TREAT THE SUBJECT MATTER FROM BOTH THE PRACTICAL AND ACADEMIC POINTS OF VIEW SO THAT THE TEXT CAN BE OF USE NOT ONLY TO THE PRACTITIONER, BUT ALSO TO THE ACADEMICIAN AND THE GENERAL READER. THE TEXT TAKES THE STAND THAT POLICE MUST BE PROFESSIONALIZED, THAT, TO THIS END, THEY MUST BE ADMINISTERED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE HIGHEST STANDARDS, APPLICABLE TO ALL UNDER ALL CIRCUMSTANCES, THAT THEY MUST BE FREED FROM THE UNREASONABLE CONTROLS IMPOSED BY THE COURTS, SO THAT THE EXERCISE OF BROAD DISCRETIONARY POWERS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT IS POSSIBLE, THAT THEY MUST BE ACCEPTED AS EQUAL PARTNERS IN THE OPERATION OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, AND THAT THEIR INTERESTS AND POINT OF VIEW MUST BE GIVEN DUE CONSIDERATION IF THIS SYSTEM IS TO FUNCTION EFFECTIVELY. IN TAKING THIS STAND, THE TEXT EXAMINES THE LATEST RESEARCH ON THE CAUSATION OF CRIME AND DELINQUENCY, CRITICALLY ANALYZES THE OPERATION OF THE COURTS AND RECENT UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT DECISIONS, AND EXPLORES SOME IMPORTANT ASPECTS OF THE WORK OF CORRECTIONAL AGENCIES AND INSTITUTIONS. ALSO STRESSED IS THE IMPORTANCE OF DEVELOPING AN ENLIGHTENED PUBLIC OPINION THAT WILL STEADILY AND VIGOROUSLY SUPPORT THE EFFORTS OF POLICE OFFICIALS AND OF ENCOURAGING CITIZEN PARTICIPATION IN THE WORK OF LAW ENFORCEMENT. AN INDEX IS PROVIDED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)...ELW