SOCIOLOGY AND THE SOCIAL REFORM OF THE AMERICAN POLICE, 1950-1973

• NCJ Number: 25007
• Journal: Journal of Police Science and Administration Volume: 2 Issue: 3 Dated: (SEPTEMBER 1974) Pages: 255-262
• Author(s): L W SHERMAN
• Date Published: 1974
• Length: 8 pages
• Corporate Author: International Assoc of Chiefs of Police
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

A CHRONOLOGICAL OUTLINE OF MAJOR EVENTS AND TRENDS IN RESEARCH CONCERNING POLICE AND IN PROGRAMS AND PROPOSALS FOR THE REFORM OF POLICE ORGANIZATION AND METHODS.

Abstract

AMONG THE TRENDS AND EVENTS REVIEWED IN THIS ARTICLE ARE POLICE PROFESSIONALIZATION, JUVENILE DELINQUENCY STUDIES, POLICE RELATIONS WITH MINORITY GROUPS, PATROL METHODS, COMMUNITY CONTROL OF POLICE, ADMINISTRATIVE DECENTRALIZATION, AND POLICE CORRUPTION. TEN MAJOR CONCLUSIONS OF RECENT POLICE SOCIOLOGY ARE SUMMARIZED. AMONG THESE ARE THAT THE PATROLMAN IS THE MOST POWERFUL CRIMINAL JUSTICE OFFICIAL, DUE TO HIS EXTRAORDINARY DISCRETION, THAT POLICE ACTION MAY AMPLIFY THE SERIOUSNESS AND FREQUENCY OF DEVIANCE, AND THAT MOST POLICE ACTIVITIES HAVE LITTLE TO DO WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT AND MUCH TO DO WITH SOCIAL SERVICE AND PEACE-KEEPING. ALSO DISCUSSED ARE POSSIBLE DIRECTIONS FOR PURE AND APPLIED RESEARCH RELATING TO THE POLICE FUNCTION. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)