LYING, SECRECY AND SOCIAL CONTROL (FROM POLICING - A VIEW FROM THE STREET, 1978, BY PETER K MANNING AND JOHN VAN MAANEN - SEE NCJ-55527)

• NCJ Number: 55532
• Author(s): P K MANNING
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 18 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: Michigan State University
• Corporate Author: Goodyear Publishing Co
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: REVISED FROM PETER K MANNING 'POLICE LYING', URBAN LIFE, V 3, 1974 (283-306)

Annotation

BASED ON FIELD WORK IN LONDON, ENGLAND, THE DYNAMICS OF POLICE LYING ARE EXAMINED, IN TERMS OF INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL LIES (I.E., THOSE TOLD TO FELLOW OFFICERS AND THOSE TOLD TO THE PUBLIC).

Abstract

THREE PRINCIPAL CONDITIONS OF POLICING AS AN OCCUPATION IN LARGE URBAN AREAS CAN BE SEEN TO UNDERLIE AND TO BE CONDUCIVE TO POLICE LYING: (1) THE NEED TO MAINTAIN PUBLIC ORDER, OFTEN IN THE FACE OF CONDITIONS WHICH DO NOT INVOLVE LAWBREAKING; (2) THE CENTRALITY IN LAW ENFORCEMENT OF CONTROLLING AND CONCEALING INFORMATION WHICH POLICE POSSESS ON CRIMINALS AND POTENTIAL CRIMINALS; AND (3) THE POLICE OFFICER'S ADVERSARY RELATIONSHIP WITH LARGE SEGMENTS OF THE URBAN ENVIRONMENT. EXTERNAL LIES ARE MANIFEST IN A VARIETY OF SITUATIONS AND SERVE ASSORTED 'LAW ENFORCEMENT' FUNCTIONS. OPEN LIES ARE USED TO ELICIT INFORMATION OR CONFESSIONS FROM SUSPECTS. UNDERCOVER OR VICE ASSIGNMENTS, WHETHER INVOLVING VICE OR PATROL OFFICERS, HINGE UPON AND REQUIRE DECEPTION. LYING IS ALSO USED TO RELIEVE SITUATIONS NOT EASILY SOLVED BY RECOURSE TO THE LAW OR WHERE FOLLOWING STIPULATED PROCEDURES MIGHT MAKE ORGANIZATIONAL ACTION IMPOSSIBLE; THAT IS, 'WHITE LIES' CAN BE USED TO CREATE A LEGALISTIC CONSTRUCTION SUCH THAT OMISSION AND INCLUSION OF LEGALLY RELEVANT FACTS RESULT IN THE MOST EXPEDITIOUS SOLUTION. THERE ARE FOUR KINDS OF INTERNAL LIES. THE FIRST INVOLVES THE ARREST AND CHARGE SITUATION, WHERE TYPICALLY A SERGEANT AND A PATROL OFFICER NEGOTIATE A CHARGE, MUTUALLY DECIDING WHAT TO CONCEAL AND WHAT TO REVEAL, AND WHERE THE FINAL DETAILS ARE TO BE WRITTEN UP. THE SECOND INVOLVES THREATS OF DISCIPLINE AND SITUATIONS WHERE OFFICERS LIE TO AVOID BEING PUT ON REPORT FOR A PROCEDURAL BREACH. A THIRD TYPE IS LYING BY SILENCE IN ORDER TO OMIT RELEVANT INFORMATION TO SUPERVISING OFFICERS, FOR EXAMPLE, ABOUT A PATROL OFFICER'S LOCATION OR PRESENT ACTIVITIES. THE FOURTH IS THAT OF LYING TO A FELLOW OFFICER IN ORDER TO PROTECT AN INFORMANT, A COMMON SITUATION IN CONTEMPORARY POLICING. REFERENCES ARE CITED. (KBL)