Policing Perspective Theory and Application:
Policing basically entails the use of a series of processes with particular social functions that makes it a necessity in any given social order. As a fundamental aspect of social order, policing can be conducted by various processes and institutional arrangements or plans. In most cases, policing is carried out by the police, which is a state-organized specialist organization. Due to its incorporation of social functions and use for social order, the concept of policing is regarded more as a social idea that is similar to the general idea of social control. However, this concept does not include of all the activities that are geared towards the achievement of social order. Despite of its attempt to ensure the achievement of social order, the effectiveness of policing in securing social order is often debatable (Reiner, n.d.). In order to help in the achievement of social order, policing is based on several theories of crime because there is no single crime theory that describes all the criminal activities. The theories are not only complementary to each other but they also help in the development of surveillance systems, which the fundamental aspect of policing. The prevailing theories of crime that relate and are applied to policing include the crime control theory, the due process theory and the broken windows theory. The crime control theory is based on the notion that criminals need to be pursued aggressively and the
In the last three decades, several concepts have been advanced to organize efforts to improve policing. Among them have been team policing, neighborhood policing, community policing, zero-tolerance policing and problem-oriented policing. Herman Goldstein was the first to propose problem-oriented policing in 1979. Problem-oriented policing is a policing strategy that involves the identification and analysis of specific crime and disorder problems, in order to develop effective response strategies in conjunction with ongoing assessment. The emphasis in problem-oriented policing is on directing attention to the broad range of problems the community expects the police to handle–the problems that constitute the business of the police and on
Each of these theories had led to many new theories used today, such as the Rational Choice theory, Biosocial and Psychological Theory, Critical Theory, Cultural Deviance Theory, Life Course Theory, and many more. The one thing in common with every theory is that they all explain at least one behavioral factor that leads to crime. Today, all these theories, and more, are researched and taken into account when trying to understand why a criminal does what they do.
This essay will outline how crime theories are able to assist in recognizing the causes of criminal activity, as well as demonstrating two criminological theories to two particular crimes. Overviews of trends, dimensions and victim/offenders characteristics of both crime groups will be specified. The two particular crimes that will be demonstrated throughout this essay are; Violent Crime (focusing on Assault) being linked with social learning theory and White Collar crime (focusing on terrorism) being linked to General Strain theory. In criminology, determining the motive of why people commit crimes is crucial. Over the years, many theories have been developed and they continue to be studied as criminologists pursue the best answers in eventually diminishing certain types of crime including assaults and terrorism, which will be focused on.
The Crime Control Model states that there may be some individual rights that need to be sacrificed for the good of society as a whole. In the Crime Control Model crime is actively and aggressively pursued and punished. Some of the methods used to employ this method are "targeting high crime areas, increased patrols and traffic stops, profiling, undercover sting operations, wiretapping, surveillance, and aggressive raids and searches." (Perron) The benefits of the Crime Control Model are that criminals and crime itself is what law enforcement begins to target. The negative effect is that the zealous pursuit of crime and often result in huge amounts of collateral damage or even loss of human life.
How can theories help us to understand criminal behavior and to design strategies intended to control such behavior?
So as to realize this high function, the crime control model calls for the idea that primary consideration be accorded to the effectiveness with which the criminal procedure functions to screen wrong doers, establish culpability and secure suitable outlook or character of individuals found guilty of criminal offences. For the crime control model, permissible measures must not precede, sustenance for the police, nor
There are many different aspects of criminal justice policy. One in particular is the different theories of crime and how they affect the criminal justice system. The Classical School of criminology is a theory about evolving from a capital punishment type of view to more humane ways of punishing people. Positivist criminology is maintaining the control of human behavior and criminal behavior. They did this through three different categories of Biological studies, which are five methodologies of crime that were mainly focused on biological theories, Psychological theories, which contains four separate theories, and the Sociological theories, which also includes four different methods of explaining why crime exists. The last theory is
Theories of criminology were developed centuries ago so people can go in depth to seek what cause crime and why. In some cases these theories can eve go to the extent to prevent the crimes from happening again. Over the years more theories have been developed and the theories that have already been developed have been added to so they fit a larger spectrum. What cause a person to commit a crime and why would they commit a certain crime over another? These theories that have been developed give us an insight to the answer of these questions. These theories are used so Criminologist can have a better understanding of crime such as the Ferguson, Missouri riots that took place after the August of 2014.
A theoretical perspective in the field of criminology that addresses power differentials, inequalities and hierarchies as the explanations of crime is known as critical criminology. In the making and enforcement of law, critical theoretical perspectives are helpful in the reduction of crime by reducing the social, economical and political disparities in a social agency. Critical criminology actually provides a huge framework for the discussion of many other approaches followed in criminology like conflict theory, post-modernism and peacemaking criminology etc.
Numerous police agency’s and police officials work on a distinctive local, state, and federal level and role. It has its individual area, sectors, and function, and work according to local streets parts inside policing. In order for any local, state, and federal police division to work successfully it must hire chiefs, deputy’s, and sheriffs who retain leadership and who uses creative thinking skills to teach comprehensive, and aggressive instruction to make the police division a tougher department by holding all its workers tasks for doing his or her job according to its agency’s guidelines and procedures known as code of conduct. “Municipal police work for municipalities such as towns or cities, county police and deputy sheriffs work for counties, state police work for states, and federal police work for the federal government. Some have the same duties as one another or very similar duties, and some have different or additional duties. Their jurisdiction is sometimes the main difference. For example, a municipal police officer normally has primary
The best way to prevent crimes in the community is to have all agencies affected by crime, working together to minimize the influence of it. I call this theory, ONE SYSTEM. The numerous theories mentioned in chapter one of the criminology theory book have one common goal, to understand. Theories such as macro level theories try to explain the criminal mind from a grander perspective. Where micro theories attempt to bring an improved perception on an individual level. Have we mastered the evolution needed to bring change to the social or individual level? I will assess some of the different criminology theories reviewed in class, the pros and cons of the one system theory, that an adequate comparison can be produced of the one system theory.
The first theory refers to the Psychological Theory There are several fundamental assumptions, that are common for all the psychological approaches to criminal behavior. These are the following: The individual is the primary unit of analysis. (Individual human being is considered to be responsible for acts he/she conducted), Personality drives behavior within individuals, because it is the major motivational element.Crimes can result
The “crime control model” refers to a theory of criminal justice which places importance on reducing the crime in society through increased police and prosecutorial powers. This means that the model wants to see criminal cases handled through quick procedures and direct handling of cases from start to finish. The model believes that if a police officer has respected a person’s rights from the beginning of the case until the conclusion of arrest then the individual is likely to be guilty. The model could also be described as founded on the presumption of guilt.
Policing is a vital and visible component of our criminal justice system. To protect and serve is a basic responsibility of every police department, specifically in Canada. In Canada, citizens have a lot of faith in the police, as they look forward to police for any kind of safety concerns they may have, yet people are also very quick to judge the police. The police play an important role in minimizing threats and maximizing safety of their citizens. The role of the police in our society is shaped by social, economic and political factors.
Many people have different theories as to why crime exists. Some believe crime happens because of the individual’s culture, education (or lack there of), or even their race. Others believe crime is associated with whom we surround ourselves with. There are three sociological theories that suggest why crime happens in society; they are social learning theory, social control theory, and social reaction (labeling) theory. These theories suggest it is our relationships and social interactions that influence our behavior.