end of chapter 5

Structure of Policing

• Part of the Executive Branch

  • Police are an integral part of the executive branch of government.

  • Hierarchical structure similar to military organizations, often described as quasi-military.

Chain of Command and Time and Rank System

• Chain of Command

  • Established hierarchy in police departments.

• Time and Rank System

  • Officers must spend specific time in roles before being eligible for promotion.

  • Benefits: Ensures fairness and stability.

  • Downsides: May prevent highly qualified individuals from immediate promotions.

Role of Policing

• Crime Fighter Myth

  • Media portrayal creates the myth that policing mainly involves crime fighting.

  • Reality: Approximately one-third of police work involves crime fighting.

  • Other Functions:

    • Peacekeeping and order maintenance, such as traffic violations and homelessness.

• Statistics on Officer Activity

  • Most officers do not fire weapons in their careers.

  • Average of two arrests per month; one felony arrest per year.

  • Variance based on location—larger cities see higher activity.

Patrol and Investigative Functions

• Primary Purpose of Patrol

  • Deterrence of crime through visible presence.

  • Reference to the Kansas City study: police presence did not significantly reduce crime rates but increased feelings of safety among residents.

Discretion and Ethics

• Terry v. Ohio

  • Landmark case establishing guidelines for stops and frisks based on reasonable suspicion.

  • Concerns about potential abuse of powers stemming from this case.

Proactive and Directed Policing

• Broken Windows Theory (James Q. Wilson)

  • Concept that visible signs of disorder encourage further crime, hence the need for addressing minor offenses to prevent more serious crime.

• CompStat

  • A system to track crime statistics and deploy police resources effectively based on identified hotspots.

Investigative Functions of Detectives

• Detectives' Transition and Roles

  • Officers aim to become detectives after gaining experience.

  • Investigations can be organized by crime type or geographical area in larger departments.

• Three-Pronged Approach to Investigations

  1. Identify issues through witness interviews.

  2. Conduct canvassing for additional information.

  3. Utilize technology in investigations.

• Sting Operations

  • Police operations designed to catch criminals engaged in vice activities (e.g., prostitution, drug dealing).

  • Concerns about potential entrapment when police pose as criminals.

Improvement in Policing Styles

• Three Policing Styles:

  1. Community-Oriented Policing

     • Focus on building relationships and trust with community members.

  2. Problem-Oriented Policing

     • Involves identifying specific problems, implementing solutions, and assessing effectiveness.

  3. Intelligence-Led Policing

     • Utilizes data and intelligence for targeted policing and higher-level decision-making.

Challenges in Community Policing

• Defining Community and Roles

  • Understanding community composition and police expectations.

• Trust Issues

  • Community members may be hesitant to work with police due to past experiences.

• Recruitment and Training

  • Need for officers to have social sciences knowledge for better community interaction.

Effectiveness of Community Policing

• Measured Effectiveness

  • Community policing improves public perceptions of safety and police relations but may not significantly reduce crime rates.

Support Personnel in Policing

• Functions Beyond Law Enforcement

  • Includes dispatchers, forensic scientists, and internal affairs units.

  • These personnel play crucial roles in supporting police activities, operational efficiency, and community relations.