Explaining Police Deviance

Question 1

What is Strain Theory for police deviance?

Answer 1

Societal pressure to achieve unattainable material goals can coerce individuals to engage in criminality

Question 2

What are the 5 modes of adaptation to the Strain Theory?

Answer 2

Conformist
Ritualist
Retreatist
Innovator
Rebel

Question 3

Conformist

Answer 3

Obeys laws

Question 4

Ritualist

Answer 4

Working within the system but scales back goals to get by

Question 5

Retreatist

Answer 5

Will not break rules at work but will engage in interests outside of work that may conflict with their duties i.e., abuse drugs

Question 6

Innovator

Answer 6

Engaging in unethical and malicious action to fulfill law objectives

Question 7

Rebel

Answer 7

Goes beyond noble cause corruption and utilizes street justice to take revenge on criminals and “take justice into their own hands”

Question 8

What is the general strain theory on police deviance?

Answer 8

Strain leads to stress which results in anger and dealing with anger in deviant/criminal ways

Question 9

What are 3 sources of strain

Answer 9

Failure to attain positive goals (i.e., failing a test)
Presentation of toxic stimuli (i.e., subject of physical abuse)
Removal of positive stimuli (losing a loved one, losing a job)

Question 10

What is the differential association theory on police deviance?

Answer 10

Individuals learn their personal values and techniques for their illegal activities through contact with others

Question 11

Ways that differential association theory can affect police officers?

Answer 11

Associating with deviant peers outside of work, undercover police engage in activities beyond the law, small work groups that work together may believe that misconduct and criminality are being “part of the team”

Question 12

What is the rational choice theory on police deviance?

Answer 12

Criminals and all people weigh the risks and costs when considering to engage in criminal behaviour

Question 13

What are some explanations of rational choice theory that may affect police officers?

Answer 13

Officers believe that their deviant conduct may be difficult to detect due to their authority
Officers calculate the likelihood of detection

Question 14

What is the Routine Activities Theory on police deviance?

Answer 14

Theory that opportunity is a necessary condition for any specific crime to be commited

Question 15

What are 3 key factors for criminal events?

Answer 15

A motivated offender
A suitable target
The absence of a capable guardian

Question 16

What is the Neutralization Theory on Police Deviance?

Answer 16

Theory that individuals can justify conduct (often illegal) through a process of personal rationalization

Question 17

What are techniques of neutralization (rationaliziation)

Answer 17

Denial or responsibility, denial of injury, denial of the victim (i.e., using excessive force on an arrestee because they’re a “bad guy”)

Question 18

What is the Police (sub) Culture?

Answer 18

Occupational culture of policing may conflict with formal ethics and values of the organiziation

Question 19

What are 3 aspects of police culture?

Answer 19

Homogenous social group
Uniquely stressful work environment
Participate in a closed social system

Question 20

What is the police code?

Answer 20

Informal code of conduct established through socialization

Question 21

What are 3 principles of the police code?

Answer 21

Never “give up” another cop
Don’t leave work for other cops
Don’t trust management

Question 22

What is the Blue Wall?

Answer 22

Code of silence that implicates not turning in another officer