SOME DIMENSIONS OF POLICE DISCRETION (FROM POLICE COMMUNITY - DIMENSIONS OF AN OCCUPATIONAL SUBCULTURE, 1974, BY J GOLDSMITH AND S S GOLDSMITH - SEE NCJ-14809)

• NCJ Number: 29346
• Author(s): J G FISK
• Date Published: 1974
• Length: 21 pages
• Corporate Author: Palisades Publishers
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THROUGH AN ANALYSIS OF THE CONDITIONS AND FACTORS WHICH MAY AFFECT THE POLICE DECISION TO ARREST OR NOT TO ARREST, THE LARGER PROCESS OF POLICE DISCRETION IS EXAMINED.

Abstract

AFTER PROVIDING A LEGAL DEFINITION OF ARREST, THE AUTHOR EXAMINES THE ARREST DECISION IN RELATION TO SUCH FACTORS AS THE POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY OF A NATION, SOCIETY'S DESIRE FOR SOCIAL ORDER, THE VALUES OF SOCIETY IN GENERAL, AND THE POLICEMAN'S PERCEPTION OF HIS ROLE. ALSO DISCUSSED IS THE IDEA THAT MANY POLICEMEN HOLD THAT THE ARREST IS THE ESSENSE OF POLICE WORK; THE EFFECT OF THIS PHILOSOPHY ON THE ARREST DECISION IS EXAMINED. FINALLY, THE AUTHOR CONSIDERS 'EGO RISKS' AND PHYSICAL RISKS THAT ARE ASSOCIATED WITH THE POWER TO ARREST.