NCJ Number
16224
Date Published
1972
Length
256 pages
Annotation
STUDY OF THE CAUSES BEHIND HOSTILE OUTBURSTS BY GROUPS OF POLICE OFFICERS.
Abstract
THE AUTHOR PRESENTS AN ESCALATION MODEL OF THE POLICE RIOT AND EXPLAINS THE PROCESS THROUGH WHICH TYPICAL LAW ENFORCEMENT SITUATIONS ARE TRANSFORMED INTO POLICE RIOTS. HE ARGUES THAT THE EXCESSIVE USE OF VIOLENCE IS A ROUTINE POLICE BEHAVIOR. DISCUSSED ARE FEATURES OF THE POLICE (THEIR TRAINING, ROUTINES, CIRCUMSTANCES, BELIEFS) WHICH CAUSE THEM TO ENGAGE IN RIOTS. FOUR MAJOR POLICE TACTICAL PROBLEMS WHICH FACILITATE POLICE VIOLENCE ARE EXAMINED. ALSO IDENTIFIED ARE THE PARTICULAR KINDS OF PEOPLE MOST LIKELY TO BECOME VICTIMS OF POLICE VIOLENCE. THE AUTHOR ALSO EXPLORES THE REASONS WHY POLICE ARE ABLE TO 'GET AWAY WITH' THIS TYPE OF BEHAVIOR. HE TRIES TO DEMONSTRATE THAT EXTERNAL AND INTERNAL CONTROLS OVER THE POLICE ARE EITHER NON-EXISTENT OR INEFFECTIVE. HE OFFERS SOME SPECIFIC SUGGESTIONS FOR CHANGING THE POLICE AND POLICE INSTITUTIONS.