Department of Criminal Justice California State University —

Department of Criminal Justice California State University - Bakersfield CRJU 100 Introduction to Criminal Justice Dr. Abu-Lughod, Reem Ali Issues In Policing

Intro: n Police use of FORCE: n Egon Bittner argues civilized soc has been developing mechanisms to eliminate legitimacy of all forms of force n Today physical force considered legitimate under some conditions: 1. Self defense 2. Specifically deputized persons against some specifically named persons (e. g. mental hospital…dealing with dangerous people) 3. Police force: kill fleeing felons, perform official duties, not malicious

n n 1. 2. 3. n n Controversy: each situation is different Calling on police to use force on our behalf Because we try to avoid law suits Using force depends on several factors: Size/gender of suspect Working alone or with another officer Time of day incident occurs Police as soldiers: police and military have things in common……uniform, status/rank, use of weapons, chain of command BUT sometimes military model becomes problematic? ? ? At war, stereotypes created animosity because people are guilty of being at the wrong place/wrong time

n n 1. 2. 3. Fundamental difference between military and police is DECISION MAKING PROCESS In military: top down approach in chain of command In policing: more discretionary powers among officers, making an arrest/not Police use of force and SWAT team: Protect police from sniper attacks Rescue hostages Neutralize guerilla/terrorist operations against gov’t

u Proactive policing and force: u Do police officers sometimes go looking for trouble? u Example: when posing as sex workers in a prostitution sting and then arrest those who proposition them u Because police cannot predict level of risk they must be prepared by: u Bullet proof vests, helmets with masks, special camouflage uniforms, automatic weapons

n n n 1. 2. 3. What about police targeting the “wrong suspect” or breaking into wrong house The Dirty Harry Problem by criminologist Carl Klockers Challenges to traditional policing: Community policing Problem-oriented policing Zero-tolerance policing

COMMUNITY POLICING: n Integration between police and community n Trust n Order and citizen cooperation n Policing reform n Walker and Katz: focuses on neighborhood decay, order, conflict resolution and social/physical order n Quality of life n Eyes on the street n PROBLEMS: communities are different, covers many activities at once

PROBLEM ORIENTED POLICING: n Aspect of CP n Causal factors to crime n Crime-mapping n “Broken Windows Theory” ZERO-TOLERANCE POLICING: n Wilson and Kelling “Broken Windows” n Rudy Giuliani’s example

n 1. 2. 3. 3 reasons to be cautious about adopting the Broken Window Theory How communities were policed in the past Concern for rights of citizens Problem of crime displacement POLICE STRESS AND BURNOUT: n Threat imposed on their lives n Deal with it in different ways…. .

POLICE AND ALCOHOL n Stress coping n Socialization to their own subculture FAMILY PROBLEMS AND POLICE n Change in personality as husband/wife n With children n High expectations n Perception of different words n Skolnick’s “policeman’s working personality” on how to cope n Wanting to integrate with people, and people’s perception

POLICE AND SUICIDE n High suicidal levels n WHY SUGGESTIONS FOR DEALING WITH STRESS: n Stress management/reduction n Group “rap” peer support n Police mentoring