8 Policing and Social Control Free Online FlashCards

What are the main functions of police?

Police enforce laws, respond to emergencies, investigate crime, maintain public order, and provide services.

How is policing organized in the United States?

Policing in the United States is decentralized across local, county, state, tribal, and federal agencies. Local agencies handle most everyday encounters.

What characterizes traditional patrol and response?

Traditional patrol and response rely on visible patrol and answering calls for service; they are essential but mainly reactive.

What is hot-spots policing, and what does research find?

Hot-spots policing concentrates attention on small places where crime repeatedly occurs. Reviews find focused interventions can reduce crime without generally shifting it to nearby areas.

What is the central aim of problem-oriented policing?

Problem-oriented policing investigates the causes of recurring problems and develops tailored responses, rather than relying only on more arrests.

What are the core elements of community-oriented policing?

Community-oriented policing makes collaboration an ongoing way of working, combining community partnerships, problem solving, and organizational changes that support both.

What does research say about community-oriented policing outcomes?

Reviews find community-oriented policing can improve satisfaction with police, while its direct effects on crime are less consistent.

What is police discretion?

Police discretion is the latitude officers and supervisors have to choose among lawful responses, such as warning, arrest, referral, or informal resolution.

Why is police discretion both necessary and risky?

Discretion is necessary because situations vary and rules cannot anticipate every encounter. It can also lead to inconsistent or unfair treatment.

What tools can support police accountability?

Policies, training, supervision, review of stops and arrests, clear complaint processes, and data review help guide and scrutinize police decisions.

What does police legitimacy mean?

Police legitimacy is the belief that police authority is appropriate and should be respected; it is distinct from police effectiveness.

What officer behaviors support perceived procedural fairness?

Procedural justice emphasizes how authority is exercised. People are more likely to see an encounter as fair when officers listen, explain decisions, apply rules impartially, and show respect.