VARIETIES OF POLICE BEHAVIOR - THE MANAGEMENT OF LAW AND ORDER IN EIGHT COMMUNITIES

• NCJ Number: 10729
• Author(s): J Q WILSON
• Date Published: 1970
• Length: 311 pages
• Sale Source: Atheneum
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: HV8141.W54 1970

Annotation

WAYS USED BY POLICE IN EIGHT COMMUNITIES FOR HANDLING SUCH COMMON OFFENSES AS ASSAULT, THEFT, DRUNKENNESS, VICE, TRAFFIC, AND DISORDERLY CONDUCT.

Abstract

ROLES OF THE PATROLMAN AND THE POLICE ADMINISTRATOR, AND POLICE DISCRETION ARE DISCUSSED. THREE STYLES OF POLICING - THE WATCHMAN, THE LEGALISTIC, AND THE SERVICE STYLES ARE ANALYZED AND THEIR RELATION TO LOCAL POLITICS IS EXPLORED. SIX OF THE COMMUNITIES CITED FOR THIS ANALYSIS ARE FROM NEW YORK STATE - ALBANY, AMSTERDAM, BRIGHTON, NASSAU COUNTY, NEWBURGH, SYRACUSE. THE OTHERS ARE HIGHLAND PARK, ILL. AND OAKLAND, CALIF. WILSON DISCUSSES CHANGING THE PATROLMAN'S BEHAVIOR AND EXAMINES CURRENT PROPOSALS FOR REORGANIZING POLICE DEPARTMENTS. THE ABILITY OF THE PATROLMAN TO DO HIS JOB MAY DETERMINE SUCCESS IN MANAGING SOCIAL CONFLICT AND IN MAINTAINING A PROPER BALANCE BETWEEN LIBERTY AND ORDER. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)