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NCJRS Abstract

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NCJ Number: 65198 Find in a Library
Title: POLICING THE INDIAN
Journal: CRIME ET/AND JUSTICE  Volume:7/8  Issue:1  Dated:SPECIAL ISSUE (1979/1980)  Pages:42-47
Author(s): C H S JAYEWARDENE
Corporate Author: University of Ottawa Press
Canada
Date Published: 1980
Page Count: 6
Sponsoring Agency: University of Ottawa Press
Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada
Format: Article
Language: English
Country: Canada
Annotation: THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN POLICE AND MINORITY GROUPS IS DISCUSSED, WITH PARTICULAR EMPHASIS ON CANADIAN INDIANS.
Abstract: IN POLICING MINORITIES, THE POLICE MUST DEVISE NONCOERCIVE RESPONSES SUCH AS HIRING MEMBERS OF THESE GROUPS AS POLICE OFFICERS. IN CANADA, THE ESKIMOS AND INDIANS HAVE FAR HIGHER RATES OF CRIMINAL ACTIVITY THAN THE REST OF THE POPULATION POSSIBLE DUE TO A LABELING APPROACH ON THE PART OF THE POLICE. IN POLARIZING THE POPULATION INTO TWO GROUPS--RESPECTABLE AND CRIMINAL-THE POLICE INTERVENE MUCH SOONER AND MORE FREQUENTLY WITH THE 'CRIMINAL' SECTOR OF THE POPULATION. THE ATTRIBUTION OF CULTURAL DIFFERENCES TO MINORITY GROUPS FORCES THEM TO BE PUT INTO THE CRIMINAL CATEGORY OF THE POLICE DICHOTOMY. FOR EXAMPLE, INDIANS AND ESKIMOS IN THE NORTHERN PART OF CANADA ARE FREQUENTLY ARRESTED FOR ALCOHOL ABUSE BECAUSE THE POLICE CONSIDER THEIR INTOXICATION AS A PRELUDE TO VIOLENCE. THE HIRING OF MINORITY MEMBERS BY POLICE DOES NOT PREVENT THE 'IN GROUP- OUT GROUP' APPROACH TO LAW ENFORCEMENT SINCE MINORITY POLICEMEN ARE SEEN AS AGENTS OF THE MAJORITY GROUP. IN POLICING ITS NUMEROUS MINORITY GROUPS, ISRAEL HAS SO FAR FOUND THE MOST EFFECTIVE SYSTEM. JEWISH OFFICIALS STICK TO A POLICY OF MINIMAL INTERFERENCE WITH THE LIVES OF THESE GROUPS AND AN ALMOST TOTAL DISREGARD OF THEIR CRIMINAL ACTIVITY UNLESS IT THREATENS THE SECURITY OF THE STATE. ALLOWING MINORITY GROUPS TO REGULATE THEMSELVES IS CONSIDERED THE ONLY FAIR MEANS OF POLICING THEM. THE ARTICLE CONTAINS NUMEROUS BIBLIOGRAPHICAL FOOTNOTES. (SAJ)
Index Term(s): American Indians; Canada; Discrimination; Eskimos; Ethnic groups; Israel; Law enforcement; Minority recruitment; Police attitudes
To cite this abstract, use the following link:
http://www.ncjrs.gov/App/publications/abstract.aspx?ID=65198

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