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6: Policing

  • Page ID
    32946
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    • 6.1: Noble Cause Corruption
      This page discusses the concept of a "noble cause" in law enforcement, characterized by a moral commitment to safety but warns that prioritizing this cause can lead to corruption. Caldero and Crank (2004) illustrate how officers may engage in unethical behavior to protect victims, reflecting utilitarian thinking.
    • 6.2: Policing Public Demonstrations and Crowd Control
      This page examines the challenges police encounter in balancing freedom of speech and public safety during protests. It details how tactics like strategic incapacitation and surveillance can lead to perceptions of illegitimacy and undermine civil liberties. The non-hierarchical nature of protest groups complicates policing efforts, prompting a need for effective communication to minimize conflicts.
    • 6.3: Sex Offender Notification Laws
      This page critiques sex offender notification laws and risk-based sentencing in the U.S., arguing that they prioritize political motivations over genuine public safety. These approaches can stigmatize offenders and fail to prevent crime, potentially increasing recidivism and violating human rights.
    • 6.4: Ethics of Private Policing
      This page examines the growing role of private policing, highlighting its impact on civil rights and accountability. Critics warn that lack of oversight can lead to abuses of power, especially in marginalized communities. It stresses the dangers of privatized policing, advocating for state control over law enforcement to ensure fairness and ethical standards. The need for stricter regulations is underscored to prevent inequitable resource allocation and to protect justice in policing services.
    • 6.5: References
      This page compiles a range of academic references focusing on policing, crime prevention, accountability, and social issues related to law enforcement. It discusses community notification laws for sex offenders, police privatization, and the dynamics between governments and citizens. Additionally, it examines topics such as the ethics of policing, the treatment of offenders, societal myths, and the implications of legislation on public safety and police-community relations during protests.


    This page titled 6: Policing is shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Henry White (Prince George's Community College) via source content that was edited to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform.