Gordon Bazemore and Scott Senjo
Examines the extent to which community‐oriented police officers (COP) differ from regular patrol officers in their view of their role in the response to juveniles and in style and…
Abstract
Examines the extent to which community‐oriented police officers (COP) differ from regular patrol officers in their view of their role in the response to juveniles and in style and intensity of interaction. Based on qualitative field research in a densely populated Southeastern city, initial findings suggest that while COPs devote equal attention to traditional police functions (e.g. law enforcement), they adopt different styles of carrying out these functions (e.g. proactive problem solving). In addition, COP officers more routinely practice juvenile crime prevention, monitoring and diversion and clearly articulate these functions as core components of their role orientation. Questions for future research include the extent to which the new more intimate relationship between police and juveniles in COP areas will increase arrests or promote diversion, whether increased discretion will result in increased harassment or improved informal dispute resolution, and whether officers practicing effective diversion and advocacy will be encouraged to continue or see their efforts undercut by competing departmental priorities or by bureaucratic policies that increase formal processing.
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Sherry Lynn Skaggs and Ivan Y. Sun
The purpose of this paper is to explore factors that shape police behavior in juvenile interactions occurring in rural communities.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore factors that shape police behavior in juvenile interactions occurring in rural communities.
Design/methodology/approach
Using data collected in rural Kentucky through a factorial survey instrument, this study assessed the effects of situational, officer, organizational and community variables on officers’ authoritative and supportive behavior toward juveniles.
Findings
Officer background characteristics, such as race, sex, education, and having children, and occupational attitudes, such as rehabilitation and dispositional beliefs, were significantly related to both authoritative and supportive behavior. While organizational variables affected officer supportive actions, they were weakly linked to authoritative behavior. Neighborhood social disorganization was ineffective in predicting both types of police behavior.
Originality/value
Although a considerable amount of research has been conducted in the past several decades to examine police behavior, a relatively small number of studies have empirically assessed factors that shape police behavior toward juveniles with an even smaller number assessing juvenile interactions in rural communities. This research provides a comprehensive theoretical explanation of police-juvenile encounters in rural communities which will allow for a more complete understanding of the factors that account for police attitudes and behavior in these interactions.