3.4- evaluate the effectiveness of agencies in achieving social control

Question 1

The police - social control responsibilities

Answer 1

Main agency for the detection, investigation and prevention of crime, their work results in huge number of cases being brought to trial, along with out of court disposals. Police forces have specialist departments.

Question 2

The police - offences of public concern

Answer 2

Police have made some progress in prioritising offences of concern to the public such as domestic abuse. About 2/3 of domestic abuse practioners approach had improved improved in previous 3 years. However same report shows arrest rate has been falling, police are using bail conditions to protect victims, staff shortages are causing delays in responding to incidents, putting victims at risk and body-worn video cameras are not always used to gather evidence = police are not always successful in achieving social control.

Question 3

Police criticisms - inefficiency

Answer 3

Polices inefficiency or incompetence in investigating offences successfully: Stephen Lawrence case, failure of Metropolitan could have led to a successful prosecution of 5 leading suspects in the case.