CJ chapter 5

Everyday Actions

  • Police engage with the public regularly.

  • Annually, 1 in 5 Americans interact with police (approximately 60 million).

  • Factors discouraging people from calling police:

    • Perceived effectiveness of police response.

    • Fear of escalation or negative consequences.

  • Expectations and worries regarding interactions with police vary.

Police Discretion

  • Discretion is a key tool for officers.

  • Factors influencing discretion:

    • Nature of the crime.

    • Relationship dynamics (victim, alleged criminal, police).

    • Social factors (race, age, gender, class).

    • Departmental policies.

  • Historical context of domestic violence calls illustrates changes in police intervention.

Use of Force

  • Officers must justify their use of force based on circumstances.

  • Officer training stipulates standards for when force may be used.

  • Use of force is a continuum ranging from least to most severe.

  • High-profile cases (e.g., Michael Brown shooting) highlight issues of race and police action.

  • Legal framework established by Tennessee v. Garner (1985) allows for force in arrests and public protection.

Accountability – Civilian Review Boards

  • Civilian oversight aims to increase police accountability.

  • Review boards can recommend actions but cannot impose disciplinary measures.

  • Qualified immunity limits officer accountability regarding discretionary actions.

  • Police department accreditation influences funding and operational integrity.

Accountability – Civil Suits

  • Suits may be filed for excessive force, dangerous driving, false arrests, etc.

  • Legal protections can complicate disciplinary measures due to qualified immunity.

  • Usage of body cameras presents both advantages and disadvantages in accountability.

Abuse of Power

  • Abuse can range from policy violations to criminal behavior.

  • Many cases remain unnoticed, particularly those involving officer discretion.

Corruption

  • Defined by misuse of power within police contexts.

  • Historical aspects highlighted through the Knapp Commission on NYPD corruption.

  • The commission categorized officers into 'grass eaters' and 'meat eaters' based on levels of corruption.

Accountability – IA Units

  • Internal Affairs responds to citizen complaints, balancing serious issues with frivolous ones.

  • Serious investigations often involve sensitive issues (e.g., sexual harassment, use of force).

Delivery of Services - Response

  • Effective policing requires efficient budget management and evidence-based practices.

  • Most police activities respond to civilian calls, but only a fraction necessitates police presence.

Delivery of Services - Productivity

  • The challenge is to measure effective policing amid shrinking budgets.

  • Evidence-based policing can inform best practices but requires careful interpretation of data.

Patrol Functions

  • Patrol represents a significant portion of police work (approximately 2/3).

  • Main functions of patrol:

    • Maintain presence.

    • Respond to calls.

    • Investigate suspicious activities.

Investigations

  • A large percentage of cities employ detectives for case investigations.

  • Detectives focus on investigations post preliminary patrol work.

Special Operations

  • Larger departments may have specialized operations for drug enforcement, vice, gangs, etc.

  • Focused training ensures compliance with legal standards during undercover operations.

Assigning Patrol

  • Preventative patrol relies on officer presence in known crime areas.

  • Crime is associated with specific people and locations ("sticky people, places, things").

Special Populations

  • Police interact with diverse groups, including the homeless and mentally ill.

  • Crisis intervention training helps officers assist those in complex problems.

Changing Patrol

  • Post-9/11, police responsibilities expanded to include anti-terrorism efforts.

  • Increased focus on partnerships with federal agencies and technological training.