NCJ Number
26217
Journal
Sociological Review Volume: 23 Issue: 2 Dated: (MAY 1975) Pages: 315-346
Date Published
1975
Length
32 pages
Annotation
THE AUTHORS STATE THAT COMPLAINTS THREATEN POLICE OCCUPATIONAL AND ORGANIZATIONAL INTERESTS. IN RESPONSE TO WHICH POLICE DEVELOP PERSONAL HABITUALIZED ROUTINES, AMONG WHICH DISCREDITING OF COMPLAINANTS IS MOST COMMON.
Abstract
THE DATA EMPLOYED IN THIS STUDY ARE TAKEN FROM POLICE RECORDS IN ENGLAND AND WALES FOR 1971. THE AUTHORS' ANALYSIS EMPHASIZES THAT POLICE OFFICERS, REQUIRED TO JUSTIFY THEIR DECISIONS TO OTHERS - AND OFTEN TO THEMSELVES - MUST RELY ON COMMON SENSE UNDERSTANDINGS OF SUCH TERMS AS INSANITY, DRUNKENNESS, AND CRIMINALITY WHICH MAY NOT REFLECT THE ESSENCE OF SUCH PHENOMENA. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT THIS MAY BE A SIGNIFICANT FACTOR IN THE LOW RATE OF SUBSTANTIATION OF COMPLAINTS BY PERSONS WHO ARE 'MAD', 'DRUNK', UNDER ARREST, AND HAVING PREVIOUS CONVICTION RECORDS. AN 'INDEX OF DISCREDITABILITY' IS DEVELOPED WHICH IS BASICALLY A SUMMATION OF INDIVIDUAL FACTORS WHICH TEND TO DISCREDIT, AND IT IS DEMONSTRATED THAT SUCH AN INDEX CAN BE A TOOL IN PREDICTING COMPLAINT DISPOSITION.