Introduction to Criminal Justice Policing America: Issues and Ethics Chapter Seven Bohm and Haley

Questions What do people think of the police? Why? What affects public attitudes toward the police? How accurate do you think the public’s perceptions of the police are? Explain.

Public Attitudes Toward the Police

Nearly 59 percent of Americans rate the honesty and ethical standards of the police as “high” or “very high.” Overall, 80 percent of the public have “a great deal” or “fair amount” of confidence in the police making your community a safer place. However, minorities rate both their confidence in the police and the honesty and ethical standards of the police lower than the average of ‘all’ respondents..

Qualities of a Successful Police Officer The three I’s of police selection: intelligence, integrity, and interaction skills The three I’s of police selection: intelligence, integrity, and interaction skills Common sense and compassion Common sense and compassion Physical strength and endurance Physical strength and endurance

Issues in Policing ‘Topics of Debate’ Discretion Discretion Stress Stress Use of force Use of force Police corruption Police corruption

Police Officer Discretion and Selective Enforcement Discretion The exercise of individual judgment, instead of formal rules, in making decisions. Selective Enforcement* The practice of relying on the judgment of the police, the police leadership and the rank-and-file officer to decide which laws to enforce. * In contrast to full enforcement. * In contrast to full enforcement.

Factors Affecting Discretion The nature of the crime. The nature of the crime. Departmental policies. Departmental policies. The relationship between the victim and the offender. The relationship between the victim and the offender. The amount of evidence available. The amount of evidence available. The preference of the victim. The demeanor of the suspect. The legitimacy of the victim. Socioeconomic status of the complainant.

Discretion: Major Issues Domestic Violence Racial Profiling What affect does discretion have on these two issues?

Stress and the Police Job stress is defined as the harmful physical and emotional outcomes that occur when the requirements of a job do not match the capabilities, resources, or needs of the worker.

Sources and Management of Stress Sources of Stress:  Design of tasks  Management style  Interpersonal relationships  Work roles Management of Stress  Mental health therapy  Lifestyle including family and religious support.  Organization change  Community policing  Job redesign  Public safety equipment

Use of Force Excessive Force A measure of coercion beyond that necessary to control participants in a conflict. Deadly Force Tennessee v. Garner (1985) “fleeing felon rule” A court decision that put an end to any local police policy that allowed officers to shoot unarmed or non- dangerous offenders if they resisted or attempted to flee.

Police Brutality What is it? 4 Abusive language 4 Unnecessary use of force or coercion 4 Threats 4 Harassment 4 Unnecessary stopping, questioning, and searching of citizens Those most likely to have force used against them are those who show disrespect for the police once they have been arrested. once they have been arrested. Those most likely to have force used against them are those who show disrespect for the police once once they have been arrested.

Police Corruption Why is policing so susceptible to corruption?  Police have authority to enforce laws.  Police have the discretion to not enforce the law.  Police receive relatively low pay, but have important responsibilities.  Police become cynical about the courts’ soft treatment of criminals.  Society in general is ambivalent about vice.

Controlling Corruption High moral standards. High moral standards. Police policies and discipline. Police policies and discipline. Proactive internal affairs investigations unit. Proactive internal affairs investigations unit. Uniform enforcement of the law. Uniform enforcement of the law. Outside review and special prosecutors. Outside review and special prosecutors. Court review and oversight. Court review and oversight.