NCJ Number
139597
Journal
American Journal of Police Volume: 11 Issue: 2 Dated: (1992) Pages: 1-22
Date Published
1992
Length
22 pages
Annotation
A questionnaire survey of police officers in a midwestern metropolitan police agency with approximately 135 patrol officers gathered information regarding whether police officers change their operational style when they police different neighborhoods and when the method of entry is varied.
Abstract
The questionnaire presented vignettes describing high-crime and low-crime areas and asked the officers about their behaviors inproactive and reactive situations involving a drunk, a teenager, a verbal argument between neighbors, and routine patrol. Usable responses came from 103 officers, 76 percent of the total population. Their average age was 33 years, and 90 percent were males. Forty-seven percent had been police officers 5 years or less, while 34 percent had more than 10 years of experience. Findings revealed that police officers do not adopt a single operational style that is used in all situations. The way the officer was brought into a situation influenced the style of 65 percent of the police officers. The neighborhood also had an effect, although it was not as influential as first believed. Twenty-seven percent of the officers changed their policing style when the neighborhood context changed. Tables, notes, appended instrument, and 38 references