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POLICE AND THE PUBLIC

NCJ Number
10730
Author(s)
A J REISS
Date Published
1971
Length
273 pages
Annotation
STUDY OF POLICE-CITIZEN INTERACTION IN THE UNITED STATES DIRECTED TOWARD AN UNDERSTANDING AND EXISTENCE OF A MORE 'CIVIL' SOCIETY.
Abstract
RESEARCH IS DERIVED FROM THE OBSERVATIONS OF THIRTY-SIX PERSONS WHO RODE WITH THE POLICE IN SELECT CITIES FOR EIGHT HOUR TOURS OF DUTY. DATA IS INCLUDED ON ARREST, POLICE ROUTINE, CONDUCT, AND DISCRETION. SITUATIONS ARE INVESTIGATED IN WHICH POLICEMEN BREAK LAWS AND HOW SUCH ACTIONS RELATE TO THE SUBCULTURE OF AN INDIVIDUAL NEIGHBORHOOD OR BEAT. THE AUTHOR PRESENTS 'HIS VIEW THAT THE MORALITY OF THE PUBLIC AND THE MORALITY OF THE POLICE ARE INTIMATELY RELATED, AND THAT ONE CANNOT BE EXPECTED TO IMPROVE UNLESS THE OTHER DOES'. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)