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Even If You Do Have to Bite Your Tongue Show Respect to a Gangster?

NCJ Number
158227
Journal
Law Enforcement Quarterly Dated: (November 1995-January 1996) Pages: 23-24,28
Author(s)
F Aguirre
Date Published
1996
Length
3 pages
Annotation
In deciding whether to be aggressive or understanding in their gang prevention activities, police officers need to recognize that gang members generally want respect and admiration.
Abstract
When police officers deal with gang members in an oppressive way, the results may be hatred and rebellion. Instead, police officers should attempt to understand gang members, what drives their attitudes, and the gang subculture. Gangs are often driven by the need to impress peers and by reputational identity. With many gangs, prestige is achieved by building on an already violent nature. Dignity and respect often mean more to gang members than their own freedom. Therefore, an overly aggressive approach by police officers carries the inherent risk of alienating gang members. Police officers should approach the average gang member with a certain amount of respect and dignity. At the same time, police officers should not have to deal with the impudent disposition of gang members, and the respect and dignity approach will not work with violent gang members. Police officers should recognize they are outsiders in the gang environment. The key in most cases is communication between the police officer and the gang member. 2 illustrations