POLICE ENCOUNTERS WITH JUVENILE OFFENDERS

• NCJ Number: 25603
• Author(s): M K HOWARD
• Date Published: 1972
• Length: 148 pages
• Sale Source: UMI Dissertation Services; National Institute of Justice/
• Publication Type: Thesis/Dissertation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: DISSERTATION - UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO.

Annotation

RESULTS OF A STUDY UNDERTAKEN TO INVESTIGATE THE IMPORTANCE OF SUCH VARIABLES AS THE OFFICER'S PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS, THE DEPARTMENTAL ENVIRONMENT, AND THE OFFICER'S ATTITUDES IN POLICE DISCRETIONARY DECISIONS.

Abstract

A POLICE OPINION POLL (POP) INTENDED TO PROVIDE A MEASURE OF PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS ATTITUDES, AND REPORTS OF PETTY THEFT AND MALICIOUS MISCHIEF CASES WAS DEVELOPED. THE POP WAS ADMINISTERED TO A TOTAL OF 247 POLICE OFFICERS LOCATED IN SEVEN POLICE DEPARTMENTS IN TWO WESTERN STATES. A STRUCTURAL EFFECTS METHODOLOGY WAS USED TO ANALYZE THE DATA. A MULTIPLE REGRESSION ANALYSIS WAS THEN PERFORMED TO SEE HOW WELL PETTY THEFT DISPOSITION COULD BE PREDICTED FROM THE MEASURES RELATED TO THE OFFENDER, OFFENSE, AND CHARACTERISTICS AND ATTITUDES OF THE OFFICER. SEVERITY OF PETTY THEFT DISPOSITIONS WAS PREDICTED FROM THE OFFENDER'S AGE, THE VICTIM'S PREFERENCE, OFFICER'S KNOWLEDGE ABOUT OFFENDERS, OFFICER'S EDUCATIONAL LEVEL, SEX OF OFFENDER, AND OFFICER'S AGE. THE AUTHOR NOTES THAT THE OFFICER APPEARS TO BASE HIS DECISIONS PRIMARILY UPON THE OFFENDER'S CHARACTERISTICS AND VICTIM PREFERENCE, AND ONLY SECONDLY ARE DISPOSITIONS RELATED TO CHARACTERISTICS OF THE OFFICER. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)