CJ101: Ch.7

Describe the general attitude of the public toward the police and the police toward the public

The data show that the police and the public view the world and each other very differently. Moreover, there are significant demographic, especially racial, differences both among the public and among the police and between the public and the police. The data indicate a real and concerning racial divide between the police and blacks. The public, for its part, seems to have more respect for the police than it has confidence in the police, high regard for police honesty and ethical standards, and a favorable view of the police. The police, for their part, have mixed views of the public and a complicated relationship with the public. Regarding the public’s opinion of the police overall, most of the public thinks the police do a fairly good job, but it also believes there is much room for improvement.

Summarize the steps in an effective police officer selection process

Police applicants go through several different kinds of testing to become law enforcement officers. Steps in an effective police officer selection process include recruitment, short application, detailed application, medical examination, physical ability test, written examination, background investigation, psychological testing, oral interview/oral board, academy training, and a probationary employment period.

Identify factors that affect the exercise of police discretion and methods of limiting discretion.

Factors that affect the exercise of police discretion include the nature of the crime, departmental policies, the relationship between the victim and the offender, the amount of evidence, the preference of the victim, the demeanor of the suspect, the legitimacy of the victim, and the suspect’s socioeconomic status. Methods of limiting police discretion are close supervision by a police agency’s management, department directives and policies, U.S. Supreme Court decisions, and the threat of civil liability suits.

Describe two general ways that law enforcement agencies can reduce stress on the job.

Two general ways that law enforcement agencies can reduce job stress for police officers are (1) to employ stress management strategies, such as discussing stressful events with colleagues and mental health professionals, regular exercise, relaxation techniques, healthy diet, religious support, enriched family support, prayer, meditation, and stress management classes that often involve spouses, and (2) to implement organizational change, such as allowing officers more discretion in determining work hours and shifts, flattening the organizational structure and giving officers more discretion in carrying out their responsibilities, redesigning the job to assign unwanted or unnecessary tasks for a police officer to another position, and having excellent public safety equipment such as weaponry, vehicles, and body armor.

Explain the circumstances under which police officers may be justified in using deadly force.

The use of deadly force by a police officer may be justifiable if (1) the arrest is for a felony, (2) the person effecting the arrest is authorized to act as a peace officer or is assisting a person whom he or she believes to be authorized to act as a peace officer, (3) the officer believes that the force employed creates no substantial risk of injury to innocent persons, (4) the officer believes that the crime for which the arrest is made involved conduct including the use or threatened use of deadly force, and (5) the officer believes there is substantial risk that the person to be arrested will cause death or serious bodily harm if his or her apprehension is delayed.

List some of the ways to control and reduce police corruption

Ways to control and reduce police corruption include selecting and maintaining officers with high moral standards, developing rigid departmental policies that cover the wide range of activities that corruption comprises, disciplining and prosecuting officers who are guilty of violating established policies and laws, utilizing a proactive internal affairs investigations unit, holding first-line supervisors responsible for the actions of their subordinates, employing outside review and special prosecutors, and emphasizing to officers the costs to police agencies of criminal prosecutions and civil liability suits, and stop rehiring bad police officers.