The role and function of the police

Question 1

Describe the myth of the crime fighter

Answer 1

Crime-fighting undoubtedly is part of the police function but not the whole job.
Representations of the police (factual and fictional) emphasise it.
Not the primary function envisaged by Peel, Rowan and Mayne: prevention and service

Question 2

What are the three biggest assignments of the police?

Answer 2

Patrol work: responding to calls from the public
Criminal investigation: More mundane than representations indicate, talking to people
Traffic:traffic flow, dangerous/drunk driving, Perceived not police but it saves more lives

Question 3

Describe Bittner’s characterisation of police work

Answer 3

Trivial if ‘criminal’ at all; calls for social help from the vulnerable ; but unpredictable (danger rare, but always a possibility)
Police are different from other service providers because even if they don’t often use their legal powers the police do have the capacity to use legitimate force
Police can take decisive action

Question 4

Describe the Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012

Answer 4

Focuses on safety and wellbeing of people and communities
Policing in an accessible, engaging way
Promotes measures to prevent crime
Noble aspiration (values) but Bittner’s unique function of the police hasn’t changed…