TRANSACTIONAL APPROACH TO VIEWING POLICING STYLES

• NCJ Number: 61873
• Journal: Journal of Police Science and Administration Volume: 7 Issue: 3 Dated: (SEPTEMBER 1979) Pages: 292-299
• Author(s): D M BROOKS; T L SHOEMAKER; J L WINSOR
• Date Published: 1979
• 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

THIS ARTICLE INTERPRETS POLICING STYLES FROM THE VIEWPOINT OF TRANSACTIONAL ANALYSIS AND COMMENTS ON WHICH STYLES OF POLICING BEHAVIOR ARE MOST LIKELY TO PRODUCE FAVORABLE RESPONSES AND RESULTS FROM THE PUBLIC.

Abstract

THE TERMINOLOGY OF TRANSACTIONAL ANALYSIS (TA) IS DESCRIBED AND POLICING STYLES ARE DISCUSSED USING JAMES Q. WILSON'S LANDMARK RESEARCH. WILSON FOCUSED ON THREE STYLES OF POLICING: THE LEGALISTIC WHICH PRODUCES OFFICERS WHO ARE EXPECTED TO ENFORCE BY THE BOOK; THE WATCHMAN IN WHICH POLICING IS SEEN AS PATERNALISTIC; AND THE SERVICE WHICH DEMONSTRATES A FLEXIBLE, PRODUCTIVE BEHAVIOR THAT MEETS CITIZENS' NEEDS. THE ARTICLE ENDORSES THE SERVICE STYLE OF POLICING STATING THAT THE PROPER POLICE ROLE IS TO SERVE AS PART, OR MEMBER, OF A COMMUNITY TEAM. BY LEARNING THE PRINCIPLES OF TA, POLICE OFFICERS COULD GAIN A GREATER UNDERSTANDING OF THEMSELVES, AND COULD COMMUNICATE MORE EFFECTIVELY WITH OTHERS. TA WOULD ALSO IMPROVE OFFICER MORALE, OFFICER-CITIZEN INTERACTIONS, AND LEAD TO GREATER UNDERSTANDING AND COOPERATION WITHIN THE POLICE ORGANIZATION. FOOTNOTES ARE GIVEN. (MJW)