CJ 100 - Chapter 12: Core Concepts of U.S. Policing

Police

A formal agent of social control and component of the criminal justice system responsible for law enforcement and the maintenance of order.

Political era

The era of American policing from the 1830s to the early 1900s, in which policing was characterized by political undertones and police officers and agencies often fell under the control and influence of local politicians. The era was marked by high levels of corruption.

Professional era

The era of policing from the 1930s to the 1970s focused on reform, professionalism, and removing political influence from policing.

Thin blue line

In policing, a division between the police and the public stemming from limited contact between police and public and from an “us” versus “them” mentality sometimes held by police officers. Also associated with the solidarity that emerges among police officers.

Community problem-solving era

The era of policing from the 1970s to the present when the goals of the professional era were broadened to include not only crime control but also crime prevention and strengthened police–community relations and collaborations.

True or false, according to the text, direct encounters, stories from friends and family, and portrayals by the media can influence people's perceptions of the police.

True

_______ founded the London Metropolitan Police force in 1829.

Robert Peel

Watchman style

A style of police behavior described by James Q. Wilson in which the purpose of policing is viewed as keeping the peace and not making waves. Officers operating under the watchman style are passive and reactive.

Legalistic style

A style of police behavior described by James Q. Wilson in which the purpose of policing is to enforce all laws with the full force of police authority in all cases. Officers operating under the legalistic style enforce all laws strictly with little exercise of discretion and measure productivity by statistics, such as number of arrests or tickets.

Service style

A style of police behavior described by James Q. Wilson in which policing is understood to draw upon the use of discretion to determine the most appropriate response to any given situation. Officers operating under the service-style view each situation in its own context and prefer to resolve problems with arrest as a last resort.

Broken windows policing

A strategy to reduce disorder in neighborhoods that focuses police attention on enforcement of minor offenses.

Working personality

Refers to the occupational culture of policing, reflecting elements of police work including danger, authority, social isolation, and solidarity.

True or false, policing has its own unique culture.

True

Ferguson effect

Reduced proactive policing due to intense media and public scrutiny.

True or false, policing in the United States is fragmented.

True

True or false, police agencies only exist at the federal and state levels in the United States.

False

True or false, sheriffs and their deputies are different than police officers in that they are usually responsible for court duties and running the local jails.

True

Ethics

The application of morality in a professional setting. Often codified in professional codes of ethics.

Deescalation

A police technique used to defuse potentially dangerous situations.

The term _______ is usually used to describe the level of police corruption that occurs when one or more officers independently participate in some form of corrupt activity.

Rotten apples

Grasseater or meateater: Which term would be used for a police officer who tells a motorist that he/she would be willing to accept a bribe in exchange for ripping up their ticket?

Meateater

True or false, according to your text, a majority of police officers perform their duties ethically and legally.

True

Hot spots policing

A crime prevention strategy that involves placing officers where crime is located. This can take the form of significantly higher levels of patrol and police presence or more specific programs implemented in high-crime areas.

Community-oriented policing

A policing strategy with the basic philosophy of fostering a positive working relationship between the police and the community. Also known as COP, there are many approaches to community-oriented policing, and it is currently popular in the United States.

Problem-oriented policing

A policing strategy designed to help the police identify and respond to the root causes of problems that lead to crime. The emphasis is on making police proactive rather than reactive through use of the SARA model. Also known as POP, it is currently a popular strategy in the United States.

Compstat

A policing strategy that integrates computerized crime data and advanced crime mapping to analyze crime patterns, which police supervisors use to develop goals and strategies to reduce crime in their areas.

True or false, the vast majority of crimes that police investigate are brought to their attention by the public.

True

True or false, team policing is an approach to policing where departments direct resources to an area in their jurisdiction that has a greater than average number of calls for crime and disorder.

False

Focused deterrence

A policing strategy with a three-step process. First, groups of offenders are told by family and community leaders how their actions have caused harms to the community. Second, offenders are offered resources to help them stop offending. Third, offenders are told that if they do not stop offending, an aggressive enforcement campaign will be launched against them by the police.