1. The Functions of Police . . .
Egon Bittner

2. Huh?
The abandonment of the norm-derivative approach to the definition of the role of the police in modern society immediately directs attention to a level of social reality that is unrelated the ideal formulations.

3. Characteristics of the Police
1. Police Work is a tainted occupation
“No amount of public relations work can entirely abolish the sense that there is something of the dragon in the dragon-slayer
They inflict harm in the natural course of their duties
Society looks down on the police
-- History impacts reality Romantic literature of the Victor Hugo variety Police are ambivalently feared & admired…

4. 2. Police work is not merely a tainted occupation
2. Police work is not merely a tainted occupation ... It’s worse than that even!
The police are always opposed to some articulable human interest
Policemen hazard violating their duty by letting generosity or respect for appearances govern their decisions
The need to disregard complexity is structurally built into the occupation
Police work is doomed to be often unjust & offensive to someone
IT’S CRUDE

5. 3.Police work, by virtue of distribution, is socially divisive
Some people receive extensive police scrutiny because of social class, race, or geographical location
Police are not merely like everyone else, but more so…there are statistical probabilities that impact thinking
“Upper class” people expect deferential treatment from the police

6. Normative v. Characteristics
Based on ideals about what the police do and are
Formal, legal inference
Does not admit that the police may not be oriented to the normative objectives
Based on reality of what the police do and are
Informal, common-sense, practicality
Leaves open the possibility that the police may not be oriented to the normative objectives

7. Cultural Background of Police
The police were the last basic block in the structure of modern executive government to be developed
1700’s violent crime exists, but people resist the idea of the police
1820’s violent crime explodes, advocates for the police gain support
Urban riots quelled by military results in many deaths
Cultural changes

8. Cultural Changes in Society
Aspire to abolish violence & install peace as a stable & permanent condition in everyday life
Material progress & enterprise were valued more than masculine prowess and combative chivalry

9. The Quest for Peace
Diplomatic consultations failed, but we continued to rely on them…i.e. UN
Compliance w/ govt. based less on the threat of force & more on voluntary compliance
Changes in the criminal justice system…i.e. punishment v. rehabilitation

10. Changes in Private Life
We don’t generally carry swords, daggers, guns to conduct business
It’s no longer acceptable to use physical force to defend one’s honor or to gain respect
Interpersonal violence is viewed negatively, even criminally
We suppress, conceal, or deny matters that deal with violence

11. Bittner’s main point is that the trend toward the achievement of peace is basically new in Western history, even as we admit that it is continuously in danger of being overwhelmed by counter-tendencies.
The tendency toward peace is based not on in spirituality, but on practicality… the realization that violence is a foolish way to resolve problems

12. The Means of Achieving Peace
We want to achieve peace through peaceful means, as opposed to by force
International diplomacy to avoid war
Administration of Justice w/o violence
We’d like to eliminate all forms of
violence,even when required to meet
attacks

13. Legitimate Uses of Force
Self-defense
Deputies v. Special population
Prison guards v. inmates
Mental hospital attendant v. patient
Police use of force

14. A mechanism for the distribution of situationally justified force
Fits w/ the actual expectations & demands made of the police
It gives a better account of the allocation of manpower & resources
It lends thematic unity to all kinds of police activities

15. The police are a mechanism for the distribution of non-negotiable coercive force employed in accordance with the dictates of an intuitive grasp of situational exigencies

16. The Moral Problem
How can we arrive at a favorable or even accepting judgment about the police when their very function (i.e the distribution of force) is opposed to the ethos of the people who design it?

17. How can society solve this?
Military virtues
The targets of force are enemies
Absolute obedience to the mission
There is a greater good (i.e world peace)
Public Trust
The targets of force are practical objectives
Prudence, considered judgment are required in each case
Personal responsibility