The Influence of "Working Rules" on Police Suspicion and Discretionary Decision Making
Document Type
Article
Language
eng
Format of Original
23 p.
Publication Date
9-2008
Publisher
Sage Publications
Source Publication
Police Quarterly
Source ISSN
1552-745X
Original Item ID
doi: 10.1177/1098611107313029
Abstract
This study examines the role of “working rules” that define what officers interpret as suspicious people, places, and situations. Data were drawn from observational studies of police decision making in Savannah, Georgia and Miami-Dade, Florida. Current theory and research on the use of police discretion and biased policing is focused on the decision to stop, search, or arrest a suspect. Only a few studies focus on processes through which police determine behaviors to be suspicious that influence them to initiate official police action. An analysis of the “working rules” used by officers uncovered 12 substantive categories. The article concludes with a discussion of how this information can be useful in formulating training for police departments.
Recommended Citation
Stroshine, Meghan S.; Alpert, Geoffrey P.; and Dunham, Roger G., "The Influence of "Working Rules" on Police Suspicion and Discretionary Decision Making" (2008). Social and Cultural Sciences Faculty Research and Publications. 24.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/socs_fac/24
Comments
Police Quarterly, Vol. 11, No. 3 (September 2008): 315-337. DOI.