Implementing a Community Policing Model for Work with Juveniles

Résumé du livre

In-depth interviews with 30 foot and 20 motor patrol officers from Flint and 2 similar Michigan urban communities confirmed that foot patrol officers' role identity orientations differ from the orientations of motor patrol officers, and that these differences are apparent in work with teenagers. The sample selected provided variation in gender and race, as well as patrol method. Researchers presented the officers with a scenario involving complaints about rowdy teenagers and then asked how they wanted to be viewed by the complainant, the teenagers, and their supervisor, and how they actually were viewed by these people. Officers also were asked to describe their most recent handling of a similar situation. The data revealed five different role identity orientations: peacekeeper and problemsolver, competent law enforcer, authority figure, friend or peer, and knight in shining armor. In keeping with the objectives of a community policing model, the foot patrol officers tended to favor the problemsolver and peacekeeper orientation. The predominant orientation for motor patrol officers was the competent law enforcer. Gender, race, education, and years on the force were not predictive of identity orientation or behavior. Tables and over 30 references.