Introduction to Policing Lecture Notes

Vocabulary flashcards covering the definitions, perspectives, organizational structures, and social challenges of policing as discussed in the lecture transcript.

Policing

Activities by public or private actors to maintain security and social order under legal authority.

Pluralization of policing

The expansion of policing beyond public police to include private security, para-police, and other actors.

Social contract perspective of policing

View that police are neutral agents who enforce laws and protect public safety on behalf of society.

Critical perspective of policing

View that police serve powerful interests and help maintain inequality and social control.

Mandated responsibility of police

Duties required by law (e.g., Criminal Code, RCMP Act).

Assumed responsibility of police

Duties taken on due to public expectations and service gaps (e.g., mental health response).

Warrior policing

A style of policing characterized by an emphasis on enforcement and control.

Guardian policing

A style of policing focused on protection, trust-building, and community focus.

Procedural justice

Fair, respectful, and transparent treatment of people during police interactions.

Police legitimacy

Public trust and belief that police have the right to exercise authority.

Dark figure of crime

Crime that occurs but is not reported or detected by police.

Critical race theory (CRT)

Framework examining how laws and institutions produce systemic racial inequality.

Equality

Providing the same resources to everyone.

Equity

Providing different resources based on need.

Racism

Systemic belief in racial superiority.

Prejudice

A psychological attitude towards a group.

Discrimination

An action based on prejudice.

RCMP contract policing

A system where the RCMP provides policing services to provinces or municipalities under contract.

Public policing

Policing that is state-funded with legal authority.

Private policing

Contracted security or police with limited authority.

Evidence-based policing

Policing strategies based on research and proven effectiveness.

Defund the police movement

Movement advocating reallocating police funding to social services or reducing police roles.

Police governance boards

Civilian bodies that oversee police services and accountability.

Police unions/associations

Organizations representing officers in bargaining, discipline, and workplace rights.

First Nations policing (FNIPP)

Program providing policing services to Indigenous communities through agreements with governments.

Competency-based training

Training focused on developing specific skills, behaviours, and decision-making abilities.

Core competencies

Essential skills like communication, ethics, decision-making, and adaptability.

Cultural competence

Ability to interact effectively with diverse communities.

Field Training Officer (FTO)

Experienced officer who mentors recruits during on-the-job training.

Police socialization

Process where recruits adopt police values, norms, and culture.

Representative bureaucracy

The idea that police should reflect the demographics of the population they serve.

Working personality of police

Traits shaped by policing such as suspicion, authority focus, and danger awareness.

Police culture

Shared norms, values, and behaviours within policing organizations.

Code of silence

Informal rule where officers protect each other from external scrutiny.

Occupational stress injuries

Physical or psychological harm caused by police work.

PTSD

Trauma-related disorder involving flashbacks, nightmares, and hypervigilance.

Organizational justice

Fairness in how officers are treated within the organization.

Inside building stressors

Workplace issues occurring within the policing organization.

Outside building stressors

Stressors such as public demands, shift work, and exposure to danger.

Patrol policing

Front-line policing focused on responding to calls and maintaining order.

CAD (computer-aided dispatch)

System that manages emergency calls and dispatches officers.

Call triage

Prioritizing emergency calls based on urgency.

Allocated patrol time

Time spent by officers responding to calls.

Unallocated patrol time

Time spent by officers on proactive policing.

Discretion in policing

An officer’s authority to choose between different courses of action.

Selective enforcement

Choosing when and how to enforce laws based on context.

Implicit bias

Unconscious attitudes that influence decisions.

Typifications

Mental categories officers use to interpret people and situations.

Racial profiling

Using race or ethnicity instead of evidence for police suspicion.

Street checks/carding

Stops without clear suspicion, often controversial due to racial disparities.

Vulnerable populations in policing

Groups such as the homeless, addicted, or mentally ill who are frequently involved in police calls.