Role of Police in Society Flashcards
What argument did Mancur Olsen make about the government?
The government are unavoidable features of human societies
What three things are police needed for?
- to have a civilized society
- to ensure safety
- to make sure we contribute to other needed public goods
Fill in the blank: the police are the (blank) and the people are the (blank)
people; police
What is Social Contract Theory?
The public has a right to set criteria by which the judgments should be made and to insist on both competence and good faith in the application of those criteria (Reiman)
What does Reiman define the social contract as?
A general test of the legitimacy of acts and rules of law enforcement; the acts/rules must be such that limits on citizens’ freedom bring a net increase of freedom
What are the keywords for lack of discretion?
Must, will
What are the keywords for discretion?
Can, may, could
What’s an argument made against the social contract theory?
The police have always been instruments of the dominant class and rarely look out for the interests of all citizens equally
What is the co-production of police services?
A cooperative public to be effective in controlling crime and maintaining order (Reiss)
Police administrators have found that positive contact between the police and citizens and good policing can overcome what?
Negative attitudes held by citizens
Weitzer and Steven Tuch found out what community policing?
It increases satisfaction with the police for white and black people
To meet specific needs, instead of improving the effectiveness of existing law enforcement organizations, what is the norm?
To multiply the number of new agencies
The complexity of police functions is growing along with what expectations from the public?
A more professional and competent police force
What are the elements of police control?
Authority, power, persuasion, and force
According to a Gallup poll, what’s the average confidence in institutions?
28%
