NCJ Number
20535
Journal
Justitiele verkenningen Issue: 10 Dated: (1976) Pages: 492-497
Date Published
1976
Length
6 pages
Annotation
ATTEMPT TO DETERMINE THE FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE THE STREET POLICE OFFICER IN HIS DECISION TO DETAIN A PERSON IN THE NETHERLANDS.
Abstract
THROUGH PARTICIPANT OBSERVATION, 235 SHORT AND 107 LONGER CONTACTS BETWEEN POLICE OFFICERS AND CITIZENS WERE RECORDED. RESULTS INDICATE THAT THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE OFFENSE AND THE APPEARANCE OF THE OFFENDER ARE OF PRIMARY IMPORTANCE IN THE SHORT CONTACTS. IN THE LONGER INTERVIEWS IT APPEARED THAT THE SOCIAL CLASS OF THE OFFENDER, THE NIEGHBORHOOD IN WHICH THE OFFENSE TOOK PLACE AS WELL AS THE AVAILABILITY OF EVIDENCE ARE STRONG FACTORS IN MAKING AN ARREST. THE AUTHORS CONCLUDE THAT SOME DISCRIMINATION IS APPARENT AND SUGGEST INTRODUCING LECTURES ON SOCIAL SCIENCES AS PART OF POLICE TRAINING. --IN DUTCH...EB