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PoliceEthics

PoliceEthics,FourthEdition,providesananalysisofcorruptioninlawenforcement organizations.Theauthorsarguethatthenoblecauseacommitmentto“doingsomething aboutbadpeople”isacentral“ends-based”policeethic.Thisfundamentalprincipleofpolice ethicscanparadoxicallyopenthewaytocommunitypolarizationandincreasedviolence, however,whenofficersviolatethelawonbehalfofpersonallyheldmoralvalues.Thisbookis aboutthepowerthatpoliceusetodotheirworkandhowitcanleadpolicetoabusetheir positionsattheindividualandorganizationallevelsItprovidesstudentsofpolicingwitha realisticunderstandingofthekindsofproblemstheywillconfrontinthepracticeofpolice work.

Thistimelyneweditionofferspoliceadministratorsdirectionfordevelopingagency-wide corruptionpreventionstrategies,andare-writtenchapterfurtherexpandsourlevelof understandingofcorruptionbycoveringtheModelofCircumstantialCorruptibilityindetail. Thefourtheditionalsodiscussescriticalethicalissuesrelatingtotherelationshipbetween policedepartmentsandminoritycommunities,includingBlackLivesMatterandotheractivist groups.Inthepost-Fergusonenvironment,thisisacrucialtextforstudents,academicians, andlawenforcementprofessionalsalike.

MichaelA.Calderowasaformerpoliceofficerwhopresentedseminarsonthesubjectof policeethicstopolicecommandersacrosstheUnitedStates.HetaughtintheDepartmentof AdministrationofCriminalJusticeatBellevueCollege.

Dr.JeffreyD.DaileyisanAssociateProfessorofBorderSecurityandIntelligenceatAngelo StateUniversity.Priortothisheperformedclassifiedcomputer-aidedmilitaryintelligence signalanalysis(SIGINT)withactivedutyArmyandAirForceintelligenceunitsinseveral locations.

Dr.BrianL.WithrowisaProfessorofCriminalJusticeatTexasStateUniversity.Priorto joiningtheTexasStateUniversityfacultyin2009,BrianwasanAssociateProfessorand DirectorofForensicSciencesatWichitaStateUniversity.

PoliceEthics

TheCorruptionofNobleCause

FOURTHEDITION

MICHAELA.CALDERO

JEFFREYD.DAILEY

BRIANL.WITHROW

Fourtheditionpublished2018

byRoutledge

711ThirdAvenue,NewYork,NY10017

andbyRoutledge

2ParkSquare,MiltonPark,Abingdon,Oxon,OX144RN

RoutledgeisanimprintoftheTaylor&FrancisGroup,aninformabusiness

©2018Taylor&Francis

TherightofMichaelACaldero,JeffreyDDailey,andBrianLWithrowtobeidentifiedasauthorsofthisworkhasbeen assertedbytheminaccordancewithsections77and78oftheCopyright,DesignsandPatentsAct1988

AllrightsreservedNopartofthisbookmaybereprintedorreproducedorutilisedinanyformorbyanyelectronic, mechanical,orothermeans,nowknownorhereafterinvented,includingphotocopyingandrecording,orinanyinformation storageorretrievalsystem,withoutpermissioninwritingfromthepublishers.

Trademarknotice:Productorcorporatenamesmaybetrademarksorregisteredtrademarks,andareusedonlyfor identificationandexplanationwithoutintenttoinfringe

FirsteditionpublishedbyAndersonPublishing2011 ThirdeditionpublishedbyRoutledge2015

LibraryofCongressCataloging-in-PublicationData

Names:Caldero,MichaelA(MichaelAnthony),1943–author|Dailey,JeffreyD,author| Withrow,BrianL.,author.

Title:Policeethics:thecorruptionofnoblecause/MichaelA.Caldero,JeffreyD.Dailey, BrianLWithrow,JohnPCrank

Description:FourthEdition.|NewYork:Routledge,2018.|RevisededitionofPolice ethics,c2011|Includesbibliographicalreferencesandindex

Identifiers:LCCN2017047136|ISBN9781138061156(hardback)|ISBN9781138061170 (pbk.)|ISBN9781315162591(ebook)

Subjects:LCSH:PoliceUnitedStates|LawenforcementMoralandethicalaspects UnitedStates|PoliceethicsUnitedStates

Classification:LCCHV8138.C67282018|DDC174/.93632dc23

LCrecordavailableathttps://lccnlocgov/2017047136

ISBN:978-1-138-06115-6(hbk)

ISBN:978-1-138-06117-0(pbk)

ISBN:978-1-315-16259-1(ebk)

VisittheeResources:wwwroutledgecom/9781138061170

TableofContents

AbouttheAuthors

Preface

Part1

Value-BasedDecision-MakingandtheEthicsofNobleCause

Chapter1

Value-BasedDecision-Making:UnderstandingtheEthicsofNobleCause

Chapter2

Values,Hiring,andEarlyOrganizationalExperiences

Chapter3

ValuesandAdministrativeDilemmas

Chapter4 TheSocialPsychologyofCops’Values

Part2 Noble-CauseCorruption

Chapter5

FromEconomictoNoble-CauseCorruption

Chapter6

Stress,OrganizationalAccountability,andtheNobleCause

Chapter7

EthicsandtheMeans-EndsDilemma

Chapter8

PoliceCulture,EndsOrientation,andNoble-CauseCorruption

Chapter9

PolicingCitizens,PolicingCommunities:TowardanEthicofNegotiatedOrder

Chapter10

TheStakes

Chapter11 Recommendations

Chapter12

Conclusion:TheNobleCause

Bibliography

NameIndex

SubjectIndex

AbouttheAuthors

MichaelA.CalderowasaformerPoliceOfficerwhopresentedseminarsonthesubjectof policeethicstopolicecommandersacrosstheUnitedStates.HetaughtintheDepartmentof AdministrationofCriminalJusticeatBellevueCollege.

Dr.JeffreyD.DaileyisanAssociateProfessorofBorderSecurityandIntelligenceatAngelo StateUniversity.Priortothisheperformedclassifiedcomputer-aidedmilitaryintelligence signalanalysis(SIGINT)withactivedutyArmyandAirForceintelligenceunitsinseveral locations,inboththeUnitedStates(NSA/Ft.Meade,Washington,KeyWest)andinEurope (WestGermany)for12years(1982–1994).Hewasassignedatopsecretclearance,undera DepartmentofDefensesectionbillet.In1994hereceivedhisM.A.inCriminalJusticefrom EasternKentuckyUniversityandaPh.D.inCriminalJusticeatSamHoustonStatein Huntsville,Texasin2002.Hehastaughtcriminaljusticeatseveralschoolsandco-authored booksonprobation,bordersecurity,andsexualabuseofinmates.

Dr.BrianL.WithrowisaProfessorofCriminalJusticeatTexasStateUniversity.Priorto joiningtheTexasStateUniversityfacultyin2009,BrianwasanAssociateProfessorand DirectorofForensicSciencesatWichitaStateUniversity.WhileatWichitaState,heserved onetermasMayorofBelAire,Kansas.From1993to1999,Dr.Withrowmanagedapolice leadershipdevelopmentprogramatSamHoustonStateUniversityinHuntsville,Texas.Prior tohisscholarlycareerBrianworkedfortheTexasDepartmentofPublicSafety.Hestartedin 1981asaStateTrooperinaruralpartoftheTexasPanhandle.Duringthe13yearshewasat DPShewaspromotedtotherankofTrainingOfficer,Inspector,andBureauCommander

BrianearnedhisBachelor’sofArtsdegreeinCriminalJusticefromStephenF.AustinState Universityin1981,hisMaster’sofPublicAdministrationfromSouthwestTexasState Universityin1993,andhisPh.D.inCriminalJusticefromSamHoustonStateUniversityin 1999.

Preface

Amanhearswhathewantstohearanddisregardstherest

SimonandGarfunkel,TheBoxer

MikeCalderolooksoverhisaudience.Alltheparticipantsarecommandofficers.Hebegins. Doyouunderstandyourofficers?Doyoureallyunderstandthem?Whatthey’reabout?The commanderslookathimThequestionhasnomeaningtothemHelooksathiswatchItwill havemeaninginaboutsevenhours.

I’mgoingtoreadsomething.It’scalledtheLawEnforcementCodeofEthics.It’sthemodel ofethicsdevelopedbytheInternationalAssociationofChiefsofPolice.Youallknowwhatitis. TheLawEnforcementCodeofEthicsiswidelyusedbypoliceorganizationsintheUnited Statesasastandardforpoliceethics.Allbooksonpoliceethicsdiscussthecode.It’sprintedin BoxP.1.

Whatdoesthiscodetellus?Isitastatementoflaw?No.Isitamoralstatement?Yes.Listen againtotheopeningsentence.

Myfundamentaldutyistoservemankind;tosafeguardlivesandproperty;toprotectthe innocentagainstdeception,theweakagainstoppressionorintimidation,andthepeaceful againstviolenceordisorder;andtorespecttheconstitutionalrightsofallmentoliberty, equality,andjustice.

Mikecontinues.Okay,picturethis.Apoliceofficerhastestifiedagainstabadguy.He arrestedthefelonfordrugpossessionandsales.Itwasagoodarrest,plainsight.Hedidn’t mentionthepartwherehispartnerhadtakenthedrugsoutofabagfoundillegallyand scatteredtheminplainsightsohecouldseethem.Hispartnerwillbackupthearrestincourt. Thisgoodofficerthinksaboutthecode.Heremembers,“Myfundamentaldutyistoserve mankind…tosafeguardlivesandproperty…thepeacefulagainstviolenceordisorder…the weakagainstoppression.”Hehasdonehismoralduty.Tonightsocietyhasonelesscreepout onthestreets.Theofficerwillsleepwelltonight.

BoxP.1LawEnforcementCodeofEthics

Asalawenforcementofficermyfundamentaldutyistoservemankind;tosafeguard

livesandproperty;toprotecttheinnocentagainstdeception,theweakagainst oppressionorintimidation,andthepeacefulagainstviolenceordisorder;andtorespect theConstitutionalrightsofallmentoliberty,equality,andjustice.

Iwillkeepmyprivatelifeunsulliedasanexampletoall;maintaincourageouscalmin thefaceofdanger,scorn,orridicule;developself-restraint;andbeconstantlymindfulof thewelfareofothers.Iwillbeexemplaryinobeyingthelawsofthelandandthe regulationsofmydepartment.WhateverIseeorhearofaconfidentialnatureorthatis confidedtomeinmyofficialcapacitywillbekepteversecretunlessrevelationis necessaryintheperformanceofmyduty

Iwillneveractofficiouslyorpermitpersonalfeelings,prejudice,animosities,or friendshipstoinfluencemydecisions.Withnocompromiseforcrimeandwithrelentless prosecutionofcriminals,Iwillenforcethelawcourteouslywithoutfearorfavor,malice orillwill,neveremployingunnecessaryforceorviolenceandneveracceptinggratuities.

Irecognizethebadgeofmyofficeasasymbolofpublicfaith,andIacceptitasa publictrusttobeheldsolongasIamtruetotheethicsofthepoliceservice.Iwill constantlystrivetoachievethoseobjectivesandideals,dedicatingmyselfbeforeGodto mychosenprofession…lawenforcement.

FinishreadingthecodeIt’samoralstatementfromstarttofinishThisiswhy,whenyou hireanewrecruit,you’rehiringanauthorizedrepresentativeofamoralstandard,aperson whoabsolutelybelievesinhisorherwork,whowillusethelaw(andhisorhergiven authority,asapoliceofficer)toadvancethenoblecause.Whatyouneedtounderstandisthe moralityofyourofficers,andhowitaffectseverysingledecisiontheymake.It’syour organization,andyouneedtoknowwhyyourstreetofficersmakethedecisionstheydo.

Oneofthecommandersrespondstothis.“Youcantakethefirstparagraphthatway,but theethicscodesaysalotmorethanthat.Itsaystobehonestinthoughtandindeed.To considerthewelfareofothers,andtoenforcethelawfairly.”

Mikeresponds.No.Itdoesn’tsayenforcethelawfairly.Itsaystoenforcethelaw courteously.Inotherwords,smilewhenyoumakeanarrest.Andthiscop,theonethatbenta teenieweenielaw,well,he’sconsideringthewelfareofvictims,andhe’sbeinghonesttohis values.You’vegottorealizethatthisgoodofficerisactingsquarelyfromtheethicscode. Maybehe’shearingwhathewantstohear.Butwhathehearsfitshissenseofthenoblecause getthecrudoffthestreets.Ifhedoesn’tmakethearrest,well,thenhe’sviolatinghisethics and,asheseesit,thelawenforcementcodeaswell.

Mikelooksaroundtheroom.Whatdoyouhearwhentheethicsstatementsaystorespect theConstitution?

Alieutenantresponds.“IthinkweallrespecttheConstitution.It’sliketheflag.It’spartof

ourhistory.”

Mike:HowdoyouusetheConstitutioninyourwork?

Officerslookathim.Nooneanswers.Finallyonesays,“Whatdoyoumean?”

TheConstitutionisbothamoralandalegalstatement.TheBillofRightsandthe Constitution,therightsofpeopletoseekhappiness,they’rewhatwe’reallabout,basically. They’renotjustwordsonapagetobeadmiredinthemuseum.Iwantyoutothinkaboutthe Constitutionasamoralcommitmentfromagovernmenttorespecttherightsofitspeople.It’s alegalobligationtorespectthemasindividuals.AndthenIwantyoutogobackandlookat thecodeagainIt’sstillamoralstatement,butitsmeaningshifts,whenyouthinkaboutit Thisiswhatit’ssupposedtomean.WhenthecodesaysrespecttheConstitution,itmeansthat governmentthat’srepresentedbyyouandyourfellowofficersrespectsthecitizensthatrely onit,anditslegalrepresentatives,forprotection.Respectthelaw.Respectdueprocess. RespecttherulesthatmaketheUnitedStateswork,andrememberthattheBillofRights,the firsttenAmendmentstotheConstitution,werewrittenexpresslytoprotectcitizensfrom theirgovernment.

Butthisisnotwhatofficershear.Whentheyreadthecode,theydonotthinkofdue processandrespectforcitizens.Theythink,wellofcourseIrespecttheConstitution.It’slike theyrespectapplepie.Theydonothearitsmoralrequirementstorespectindividuals,due process,andhumandifferences.Whattheyhearissomewordsembeddedinabroader statementthattellsthemtothattheirmoralresponsibilityistocontributetosocietyby gettingbadguysoffthestreets.Theyhearnoblecause.

TodayI’mheretotalkabouttheethicsofthenoblecause.We’lltalkaboutwhatitmeans foryourlineofficers,andforyouandthedepartmentaswell.Andattheendoftheday,I’ll showyouadifferentwaytothinkaboutpoliceethics.

Value-BasedDecision-MakingandtheEthicsof NobleCause

Thepoliceareessentialtodemocracy.Byensuringthatnopersonisabovethelaw,the policeprotectcitizensfromvictimization.Throughtheenforcementofthelaw,policeensure thatnoindividualorgroupviolentlyassertsitswilloverthepublicorder.IntheUnitedStates, wetendtotakethepoliceforgranted.Yet,overthepast50years,wehavewitnessedthe collapseoftheSovietUnionandthedestabilizationofmanycountriesintheMiddleEastand AfricaManynation-stateshavefailed,orarebarelysurviving,withcollapsedinternal securitycontrols.

Democraticcountrieswalkafinelinebetweentheanarchyandcivilviolenceofcollapsed statesandthesuppressivecitizencontrolsexertedbyhighlyauthoritarianregimes.Itis throughthecommitmentofthepolicetothecitizenry,theircapacitytocontrolcrime,and theirabilitytoactaccordingtotherulestheyenforcethattheyalsoarenotabovethelaw thatdemocracysurvives.

Therulesforenforcingthelawandtherulesforprotectingcitizens’rightscanconflictwith eachother.Policeareexpectedtostop,detain,sometimesseize,and,ifnecessary,injureorkill citizenswhentheyareengagedinwrongfulbehavior.Therearemanycomplexrulesof process,bothintermsoflawandintermsofdepartmentpolicy,thatsurroundeachofthese expectationsTheserulesareexpectedtoconformwithcriminalandcivillawinissuesofdue process.Andthereisagreatdealofconfusionandlackofagreementwhenitcomesto holdingpoliceaccountablefortheserules.

Consider,forexample,anillegalsearchofasuspectinordertofindoutifheorsheis carryingdrugs.Isanillegalsearchwrong?Howaboutwhenaninformantcallsthepoliceto tellthemheorsheknowsofasuspectwhohasdrugsinhisorherhouse.Shouldthepolice usetheinformant’sinformationandraidthehouse?Andwhatiftheinformantishimselfa policeofficerwhobelievesthatthesuspectisadrugdealer,wantstolookaroundthehouse, andthen“stiffsinacall”asifhewereacitizen.Isthatalright?Andwhatifthepoliceofficer crashesthedoor,thesuspectdefendshimselfwithaweaponandiskilled,andthereareno drugsinthehouse,onlyahomeownerdefendinghisorherproperty.Isthatalright?

Allofthedescribedactivitiesareactscommittedonbehalfofagoodendgettingbadguys

offthestreets.Someofthemareallalsoillegal.Theyrepresentnoble-causecorruptionwhen anofficerbreaksthelawinordertoachieveagoodend.

Overthepast100years,thepolicehavebeentransformedinimportantways.Economic corruptionhasdiminisheddramatically.Thequalityofpoliceprofessionalismhasincreased. Andthepolicehavebecomemuchkeenerinthewaysofpublic-ordermaintenanceaswe movetowardamulticulturalsociety.Thepolicearecommittedtodoinggood,tofindingand arrestingbadpeople,totheassistanceofvictims,andtoprotectingcommunities;inshort, theyhavebecomeprofessionalinwaysthatmanypolicereformerssoughtthroughoutthe twentiethcentury

Yet,theircommitmenttowhatwecallthenoblecausecarriesaspecialperil.Crimecontrol sometimesseemstorequirebehaviorthatisnotparticularlylegal.Forexample,officersmight “testilie,”whichreferstogivingfalseinformationassworntestimony,inordertotakeafelon offthestreetswhohasanextensive,violentrapsheetandwhomtheofficerbelievestobea communitydanger.Thisisthesortofbehaviorthatwecallnoble-causecorruption.

Thetopicofnoble-causecorruption,liketheexamplesprovidedearlierinthischapter, frequentlyinvolvesbehaviorthatcannotbeeasilydefinedasgoodorbad.Sometimestrying todefinewhatiswrongwithitislikegraspingatsmoke.Ifanofficerconductsasearchinan inappropriateplace,intheprocessuncoversinformationaboutaseriouscrime,andthendoes notmentionthatthesearchwasatthatmomentillegal,isshea“goldenapple”ora“rotten apple”agoodcoporabadcop?Howaboutwhentheofficeraddsdrugstoasearchwarrant tojustifyadetailedsearcheventhoughtheofficerdoesnothaveanyprobablecausethat drugswillbefound,buthasprobablecauseonother,largeritemsacarforexampleand wantstofisharoundabit?Itissometimesdifficulttotellwhatisrightorwrongbehavior, particularlywhenanofficeriscommittedtoagoodoutcome.Itiseasytooverlooksmall proceduraldetailsofthelawintheserviceofgoodends.Yetnoble-causecorruptiongoesto theheartofdemocraticprocessintheUnitedStates.Noble-causecorruptionrepresentsthe authorityofthesovereigntointercedewithimpunityintotheaffairsofthecitizenry,and thereisnodemocracyinthat.

Chapter1providesbackgroundonthenoblecause.Theopeningchapterarguesthatthe properunderstandingofpolicemoralityandethicsbeginsbyunderstandingthattheyare value-baseddecision-makersThismeansthattheyarestronglyaffectedbythevaluesand beliefsthatcharacterizedtheirupbringing,andtheybringthesevaluedispositionstotheir work.Thecentralelementsofvalue-baseddecision-makingarethenoblecauseandtwoofits importantoccupationalelements,describedasthe“smellofthevictim’sblood”and“the tower.”Thecentralthemeofthisbooktheresponsibilityofcommandinnoble-cause corruptionisdiscussedusingexamplesfromdiversesources,includingAbuGhraib.The chapterconcludeswithadiscussionoftheliteraturethathasdevelopedelementsofvaluebaseddecision-makingandthenoblecause.

Chapter2considersthehiringprocess.Wearguethatinmostdepartments,theprocessisa collectionofcomplicatedproceduresthatconvergeonasimplepurposehiringofficerswho haveaparticularsetofvalues.Hiring,weargue,isavalues-basedprocessaimedatensuring thatrecruitscarryvaluessympathetictothenoblecause.Earlyorganizationalexperiences refineandredirectthewayinwhichofficersenacttheirbeliefsinthenoblecause.

Chapter3looksatadministrativedilemmasrelatedtothenoblecause.Thischapter presentsaperspectiveontheprofounddifficultiesencounteredwhenweholdpublicservants accountablefortheirbehavior.Threeaccountabilitydilemmasarepresented.Thechapter concludesthatthereisalimitontheextenttowhichaccountabilityisareachablegoal

Chapter4assesseseffortstomeasurepolicevalues.Itarguesthatpolicevaluesarenot learnedonthejob,butarefullyinplacewhenofficersarehired.Thepsychologyofemotionis presentedtodescribethepowerfulpullthenoblecausehasonindividuals.Thischapter concludeswithare-considerationofpolicemoralityanddiscretion,arguingthatdiscretion amongthepoliceishighlyoverrated.Givenourknowledgeofpolicevalues,itargues,how canwenotknowhowtheywillact?

Value-BasedDecision-Making:Understanding theEthicsofNobleCause

KeyTerms

AbuGhraib

“TheAsshole” boundedrationality

BritishBroadcastingCompany(BBC)PrisonStudy culture

“DirtyHarry”probleminformalorganization justmeans maturity means-endsconflicts negativeconceptofpoliceculture noblecause passion perspective powerofself

StanfordPrisonExperiment thetower value-baseddecision-making

Apoliceofficeristhewillfulembodimentofthestate’smorality.Anofficer’sactionsare themoralityofthestatemadekinetic,makingsurethatbadpeople(thosewhohavebroken existinglaws,orhavebeenaccusedofdoingso)aredealtwith,publicorderisasserted,and lawsareenforced.Thepowercarriedbyapoliceofficerdefinesthelimitsofindividual freedominamostimmediatesense:theauthorityofthestatetoseizesomeone’sbodyorto initiateaprocessthatcanendinsituationaljustice,jailorprison,and,inrarecases,death.To

dotheirwork,policeplacetheirlivesonthelineforstrangers,theyarrestcriminalsuspects, citeorarrestmisdemeanants,(sometimes)distributeroughjusticefortroublemakers,andthey dealwithvictimswhomaybetraumatizedorgrotesquelywounded.

Todotheirwork,officersenactthemoralityofthestate,representedfaciallybythe existinglawsonthebooks.Theymusthaveaclearandstraightforwardnotionofwhat behaviorisright(legal)orwrong,basedonwhetherornottheexhibitedbehaviorconformsto existinglaw,andwhatkindofapersonisgoodorbad.Everydecisiontheymakeaboutthe conductoftheirworkisvaluebased,enactingthebroadermoralstandardsofthestateinthe wayinwhichtheycontroltheirbeatsTheyareinfactanddeedvalue-baseddecision-makers, andtheirworkismoralswork,throughandthrough.

The(perceived)moralityofthestateiscodifiedinitssystemoflaws.Thiscodeis invigoratedandenlivenedbymanygroupswhoencouragetheharshtreatmentofpeoplethey believearebad.Legislatorsclamorabouthowthecourtsaretoolenient.Citizensrepeatedly calltocomplainaboutneighborswhocreatepublicdisorder.Businesspeoplerailagainstlocal panhandlerswhodotheirworkinfrontoftheirstoreandchaseoffcustomers.Prosecutorsare resolutelyfocusedontheconvictionofsuspects.Judgesareselectedfortheirtoughness towardthoseconvictedofcrimes.“MothersAgainstDrunkDriving”isoneofmanycitizen groupswhoadvocatethepunishmentofparticularclassesofcriminalbehavior.Schoolswant resourceofficerstoprotectkidsfrombullies.Andpoliceorganizationspushforincreased criminalpenaltiesthat,itiswidelybelieved,willdissuadeindividualsfromcommittingcrime (basedonthetheoreticaldeterrenteffectofincreasedpenaltiesforspecificcrimes).

Theethicaldilemmafacedbymanypoliceofficersisinadaptingthepowerstheyare endowedwithbythestatetothewayinwhichtheycarryoutthestate’sjustice.Oneofthe mostcommonmoraldilemmasfacedbyofficersiswhetherornottobendsomeoftherules limitingtheirbehaviorinordertodealwithpeopletheybelievearecriminalsor troublemakers.Officersindeedhaveagreatdealofpower,powertheycanusetoreallyhurt people,byassertingroughorsituationaljustice,butfargreaterpowerbystartingthelegal processthatwillputthem(theperceived“badpeople”)injailorprison.Manyofficers,andthe readermaybeamongthem,haveseencolleaguesengageinlegallyquestionablebehaviorand thatsomeprosecutors,superiors,andjudgeswinkandlooktheotherway.Officersmay pressuresuspectstofindoutwhattheyareupto,sothattheywillnotcauseproblemsontheir beat.Indeed,manyofficersseeacruelworldinwhichgoodcitizensareroutinelyvictimized andacourtsystemthatisunresponsive,andbelievetheyhavefewalternativesotherthanto enacttheirownparticularbrandofextralegaljustice.Thisviewisreinforcedbythe commitmentsofficershavetotheirbeats.Manyofthemareconvincedthatiftheydon’t controlit,noonewill,andthattheymustsometimessetthelawsandpoliciesdesignedto controltheirbehaviorasideinordertodosomethingaboutbadpeople.Policepowershould beusedforthegoodofcitizensandthecommunity,eveniflawsorpoliciesmustbe

sometimesbenttodoso.

Mostethicsbookswilltellanofficertoturnoffthatpower;thatpolicearecreaturesofthe lawandthatdueprocessandadministrativeprotocolsarerulesthatmustalwaysbefollowed. Police,accordingtothisview,aresupposedtobedispassionatelawenforcers,robotsinblue, enforcingthelawequallyandwithoutbiasorpredisposition.Wedon’tbuyit.Wehavea differentperspective.Wedon’ttellpolicetoturnitoffitcan’tbedone.Wecounselinstead thatitbeusedwisely.

Wehaveadifferentwayofthinkingaboutethics.Wecallitvalue-baseddecision-making. Thevaluescarriedbypoliceofficersdeterminetheirdecisionstointerveneinthelivesof citizens,whattheydowhentheyintervene,andthewayinwhichtheybringinterventionsto aconclusion.Andthemostimportantvaluesthatmobilizeofficersareembodiedinthenoble cause.Thenoblecauseis,formostofficers,thetouchstonefromwhichvalue-baseddecisionmakingoccurs.Indeed,valuesarethecornerstoneoftheworkpolicedotheydispensejustice bycontrollingpeople.Sowe’llstartthischapterwithadiscussionofvalue-baseddecisionmakingandwhatitmeanstopolicework.

Value-BasedDecision-Making

Thepresentationisinaconvertedmeetingroom,andtentableshavebeensetupforMikeCaldero’spresentation Approximately30commandersandmid-levelsupervisorsarepresent.

Mikelooksateachofficer,aquickscan,briefpauseoneachone.Contact.Hebegins.Whatdoyouthinkofbureaucracies?

“Weworkinabureaucracy”

Oh,IknowyouworkinabureaucracyIspentmywholelifeinthebureaucracyIwasapoliceofficerforalongtimeNow Iteach,whichmeansthatI’mstillinabureaucracy.(Afewofficerssmile).Butwhatdoyouthinkofbureaucracies?Are theyefficient?Aretheyeffective?Letmeputitthisway.Whenyouneedtogetsomethingdone,doesthebureaucracyhelp yougetitdone?

ManyofficersintheroomchuckleOneofficerisnotamusedHeresponds:“Wearethebureaucracy”

OK,Mikethinks,herewegoExactlyAndyouusethebureaucracytogetworkdoneItprovidesasetofrulesand proceduresthatenablethedifferentpartsoftheorganizationtoworktogetherIsn’tthatright?Thisisaclearchallenge forsoearlyinthepresentation.Butunderstandingthenoblecauserequireschallenges,andit’sgoodtogetsomeofthem outofthewayupfront.

Howwelldoyouallworktogether?Doyourdifferentshiftsworkcloselywitheachother?Yourlineofficers,howwelldo theygetalongwithyou?Howaboutpromotions?Doyourofficersfeelgoodabouttheworktheydo?Howabout standardoperatingprocedures?Anycomplaints?

MikegetsstonylooksfromsomeoftheofficersAcaptainresponds“WegetalongfinewithourlineofficersWedon’t havethosekindsofproblemshere”

OK,I’lltakethatWhatifIweretogetagroupofyourlineofficerstogetherandaskedthem?Whatwouldtheysay?

Alieutenantlooksatthecaptain,andthensays“Therearealwayssomeofficersthatcomplain.Someofthemdon’t understandthatbeingapoliceofficerrequiresalotofworkSelf-responsibility”HeisstatingamantraMikehasheardin everydepartment:“Officerstodaydon’tseemtounderstandtheself-responsibilitythatofficersusedtohaveThereare somewhojustdon’twanttodoanywork.”

Ohboy,aren’ttheresomecomplainers!Therearealwayssomeofficerswhocan’tbesatisfied,whocomplainabout everything.Youknow,Ifindthatineverydepartment.Whatdotheycomplainabout?Anysergeantsinhere?Sergeant, whatdotheycomplainabout?

“Well,sometimestheycomplainaboutpromotions”

Howaboutbrass?Administrators?Youguysdocommunitypolicingdotheycomplainaboutthat?Howaboutyou sergeant,doyouthinktheycomplainaboutthewaytheyareevaluated?

“Well,sometimes,sure,allofthatSomearejustcomplainers”ThesergeantshiftsuncomfortablyinhisseatButheis favoredandwillgainpromotionquicklyinthisorganizationHehassomeprotectionfromsayingboldwordsaslongas heknowswhentostop.Thesergeantcontinues,“IknowwhoIcancountontogetworkdone.”

Mikesmilesforthefirsttime.Thankyou.Yes,that’sexactlyright.Youarethebureaucracyandtheydon’ttrustyou.They complainaboutyou.Andyoucomplainaboutthem.Andyouthinkthat,exceptforafew,theylackthekindofselfresponsibilitythatcopsusedtohaveYoucantellmeifI’mgettingitwrongNoonesaysanything

I’mnotsayingthisbecauseIdisrespectyourdepartmentIwouldn’tbehereifIweren’tonyoursideButI’mheretoday toshowyouhowImakesenseoutofthis,andI’mheretotellyouthatthisismorethangrousingaboutadministratorsI betalotofyou,maybeallofyou,complainedaboutadministratorswhenyouwerestartingout.

Acaptainresponds“Yea,andwereplacedthem”Thiscommentbreakstheice,everyonelaughs

Theyoryou,15yearsagotheyandyouarecomplainingaboutthebureaucracyThecomplaintisabouttheway bureaucracyworks,theformalrulesandcomplicatedstandardoperatingproceduresthatlisteveryscrew-upinthepast 100years,thewayinwhichitinterfereswiththeirabilitytodorealpolicework,thewayit’susedsometimestopunish peoplewhoarereallycommittedtopoliceworkMikepausesYouareverystressfultothem,youknowHeletsthe commenthangintheairforamomentWe’lltalkmoreaboutthatlaterWe’lltalkalotaboutthatWhatIamsayingnow isthattheycomplainbecausetheybelieveinpolicework.Justlikeyou.Here’swhy.

Policework,initsheart,isn’taboutbureaucracy,evenifit’sorganizedthatway.Policeworkisaboutvalues.Thisiswhere webegin.Realpolicelineofficerworkisvalue-baseddecision-making.Policeofficersusethebureaucracy,justlikethey usethelaw,astoolstocarryoutvalue-baseddecision-makingThisisthecentralandmostimportantlessontoday:that allofthedecisionsyourofficersmake,onthestreet,doingtheirjob,arevalue-basedMikewritesthephrase“value-based decision-makers”inlargelettersonawhiteboardinthebackoftheroom.Underneath,hewrites:

VALUE-BASEDDECISION-MAKING

Organization==means(tools)

Law==means(tools)

Morality==ends(contributetosociety,makethepublicsafe,protectandserve)

Acaptainresponds,“Whatareyoutalkingabout?”MikesmilesagainIftheyhadsaidnothinghewouldbeintrouble Buttheyaretalking,whichmeansthattheyareengagedandinterestedIftheyarecriticalandchallenging,well,that meansthattheyaregoodcops.Theydon’ttakewhattheyhearforgranted.

Mikeshiftsthedirectionofhisdiscussion,cominginfromadifferentangleCaptain,whydidyoubecomeapoliceofficer?

Thecaptainresponds,“ToretirebeforeIwas50”ManyintheroomlaughItiswidelybelievedbypoliceofficersthatthey willnotlivelongafterretirement.“No,I’lltellyou.Iworkedonmyfather’sfarm,itwashardwork.Sometimesa

Sheriff’sdeputywouldcomearound.Oncehehelpedusgetridofsomekidsthatwerebreakingintoashedand vandalizingourpropertyHeintroducedmetotheSheriff,andIwasreallyimpressedItoldhim,‘OnedayI’mgoingto beapoliceofficerlikeyou’AndIamveryproudtohaveendedupapoliceofficer”

IbetIwouldgetastorylikethatfromallofyouAndIbetIwouldgetastorylikethatfromyourlineofficersaswell Somecamefromcopfamilies.Somefrommilitarybackgrounds.Somecamefromsmallcitiesandtownsandsawpolice workasthewayout.Somearethesurvivorsofroughneighborhoods.Theybecamepoliceofficersbecausetheybelievein itOh,sure,forsomeitwastheonlygoodworkthattheycouldgetwithoutacollegedegreeButthatisnotthewhole pictureIt’saboutacommitmenttodoingsomethingmeaningfulwithyourlifeThatmeanshelpingcitizens,dealingwith theworstsortsofpeopletoprotectandserve.It’saboutvalues,fromthestart.Youbecamepoliceofficersbecauseyou believedintheimportanceofthosevalues.IwantsomeonetotellmeI’mwrong.

Youjoinedabureaucracysothatyoucouldactoutthosevalues,andyourofficersusethelawonthestreettoactthose valuesout

GetaroomfullofpoliceofficerstogetherandaskthemwhytheywantedtobecomecopsItdoesn’tmatterifthey’re fromNewMexicoorAlabamaItdoesn’tmatterifthey’reseniorstafforprobationaryofficersIfyouthinkthatthey’ll saythatitwasforthemoney,policeworkisnotforyou.Theansweristhesameeverywhere,variationsonathemeof personalcommitment.“Ibelievedinit.”“Iwantedtocontributetosociety.”“Iwantedtodosomethingimportantwithmy life”TheirreasonsreflectacommitmenttocontributetosocietyinsomemeaningfulwayItisanoccupational predispositionthatunitespoliceofficers

MikecontinuesWhenIthinkofpolice,IthinkofpeopleforwhomvaluesareveryimportantTheydopoliceworkbecause thesevaluesareimportanttothem.Hiringdecisionsareorganizedaroundtheseimportantvalues,andthedailyworkof policeworkisabouttheseimportantvalues.ButonceIbeginthinkingintermsofvalues,Ihavetoaskmyselfwherethese valuescomefromTheycomefromtheirbackgroundsAndthisshowshowimportanttheirculturalbackgroundisin understandingwhatthepoliceareallabout

ValuesandCulture

Valuesdon’temergewhole-clothfrompolicetrainingandpolicework.Tounderstandthe occupationalpredispositionsofthepolice,onebeginsbylookingattheirfamilybackgrounds. Policeofficersbringtotheirworkasetofculturalpredispositions,andpoliceworkhasonlya minoreffectonthesepredispositions(Crank,2004a;Caldero,1997;Zhao,HeandLovrich, 1998).Policework,likeallformsofworkinWesternculture,canbedescribedasan occupationalculturemadeupofvaluesimportedfromthebroaderenvironmentfromwhich officersarehired.Theseimportedvaluesaredistilledandfocusedinparticularoccupational settings.

Thenotionofcultureisquitedifferentfrom“rational”notionsofhumanbehavior, accordingtowhichpeoplelogicallyselectfromamongvariouscoursesofactiontodecidethe bestwaytoact.Itmeansthatwehaveboundedrationality:weactrationally,butwedoso onlyinalimitedfashion,afterwetakeintoconsiderationourculturalheritage.Thatcultural heritageincludeswhatwemightcall“givens,”waysofactingintendedtoproducepredictable kindsofreactionsinotherpeople,waysofthinkingthroughproblems,waysofthinkingabout rightandwrong,andawidevarietyofgesturesandnonverbalcommunicationskillsvery

earlyinlife.Thesecometobetakenforgranted.Ourrationalityisboundedbythese“givens,” andtheyareveryhardtochange.

Thenotionofboundedrationalityappliestopoliceofficersjustlikeitappliestoeveryone else.Imagineapoliceofficerrespondingtoacallandfindingacomatose,badlybeaten6-yearoldchild;presentalsoisafather’sbrotherwhobeatthechildwhilebaby-sittingbecausehe thoughtthechildwasnotmindingandneededtobetaughtalesson.Mostofushavea culturalpredispositionthatsuggeststhata6-year-oldchildisnotresponsibleforhisorher actions,andwereversethatnotionforadults.Thisincidentoccurswithinfundamentalbeliefs abouttherightwaytotreatachild,thekindofpersonwhodidsuchanact,andwhatthe personwhodiditdeserves.Apoliceofficer,andindeedmostpeople,areincapableofseeinga beatenchildanddecidingthatthechildhaditcoming.Thatisamorallyunacceptablewayof thinking.Neitherwillanofficerrespondasan“automatoninblue,”withoutemotions,simply recordinginformationinordertoconductarequiredinvestigation.Thefeelingstheofficer feelsaredeterminedbytheirculturalheritage.

WhatIsPoliceCulture?

WhatDoesItMeantoBe“Cultural”?

CentraltoMike’sdiscussionisthenotionthatpoliceareprofoundlycultural.Butwhatdoes itmeantobe“profoundlycultural”?Inthissection,wewilllookatsomedefinitionsofculture andreturntoMike’scomment.

Earlydefinitionsofpoliceculturewerestatedintermsofthe“informalorganization.”By informalwasmeantthat,inordertoaccomplishday-to-daytasks,policeofficersdeveloped cliquesofcommunication,bothverticallyandhorizontally.Groupsofindividualswhomade upthesecliquesdevelopedinformalrulesforgettingalong.Inthissense,organizational culturerepresentedafunctionalsocialandsemi-professionaladaptationtowhatwasseenasa hierarchical,inefficientbureaucracy.

Laterdefinitionsofcultureoftenfocusedonunpleasantorunpopularelementsofpolice behavioranddevelopedwhatwecallthenegativeconceptofpolicecultureThese definitions,popularinthemedia,tendedtolookatexamplesofpolicewrongdoingandseek localorganizationalcultureasanexplanation.Waddington(1999)arguedthatanegative conceptofpolicecultureworkedbecauseofthecondemnatorypotentialitaffordedcriticsof thepolice.Thepolice,fromthisnotionofculture,couldbeblamedforalltheillsofthe criminaljusticesystem.Fromthisperspectiveculturewasnotsomuchatheoryasan accusation.Albitron(1999:163inWaddington,1999),studyingthistraditioninacademic

research,notedthatpoliceculturewastoblamefor“deviance,secrecy,silence,andcynicism, aswellassuch“pathologicalpersonalitydispositionsassuspiciousness,insularity,brutality, authoritarianism,ultra-conservatism,bigotry,andracism.”

Reviewingperspectivesonpoliceculture,Crank(2004b)arguedthatone’sviewofculture dependedonone’sstandpoint.Heexpandedthisnotionbypresentingsixdifferent standpointsonpoliceculture,eachtiedtoparticulargroupswithaninterestinthepolice.He arguedthatapolicestandpointhademergedthatviewedcultureinpositiveways.He identifiedtenwaysthatculturebenefitedthepolice,amongwhicharethefollowingfour:

1.Cultureenablespolicerecruitstolearnaboutpolicework.

2.Culturefostersasenseofresponsibilityforresponsibilityfortheprotectionforone’s community,actedoutintermsofresponsibilityforone’sbeat.

3.Cultureprovidesacoreoccupationalidentitytoassistofficersduringperiodsof personalgriefandprofessionaltragedy.

4.Cultureprovidesasetofstoriesandoccupationalgambitsthatenableadaptationto anunpredictableworkingenvironment

Inabroadreviewofnotionsofculture,Crank(2004a),alsotookananthropologicalnotion ofcultureandappliedittothepolice.Inthatconceptionhenotedfiveaspects:

First,itisthatpeoplehavewaysofthinkingaboutproblemsthatmakesenseoutoftheirlives(SeeManning,1989). Sensibilitymeansthatifapersondoessuchandsuch,somespecificthingislikelytooccur.Sensibilityincludesasenseof morality,whichidentifiesgoodandbad,orprovideswaysofrecognizinggoodandbadForthepolice,acommitmentto thesocialgood,describedinthisbookasthenoblecause,representsthissensibilitySensibilityalsoincludes“common sense ” or “sixthsensepolicing”suchastheabilitytoidentifypotentiallawbreakersfromtheirappearance.

Second,itincludesbehaviorsthatarelearnedasrightwaysofacting.Trainingprovidesabasicrepertoireofresponsesfor avarietyofcircumstances.TO[trainingofficer]trainingextendsandspecifiesthistrainingtoaparticularbeat.Officers throughtheirexperiencespassontipsandinformalpracticesthatfilloutexpectedbehaviorsonthestreet

Third,culturehasmaterialelementsThismeansthatcultureischaracterizedbytoolmakingandtoolusingAmongthe toolswidelysharedbypoliceofficers,andwhichcarriesagreatdealofvalue,aretheweaponrycarriedbyofficers Weapons,acentralthemeofpolicework,arefamiliartomostpoliceofficersfromwhentheywerechildrenlearningto huntfromtheirparents.Anothermaterialelementthathashadalargeeffectonpolicingisthepatrolcar,whichhas transformedtheoccupationfromanurban-centeredcommunityactivitytoa(non-community-centered)city-widearea patrol

Fourth,culturecarriesa“socialstructural”componentThismeansthatpeoplesurroundthemselveswithacceptableways toorganizetheirlives.Examplesincludethewayinwhichtheorganizationalstructureofshiftworkleadstoasocialand professionalstructureorganizedaroundabeat-shiftunit.Thesmallestunitofsocialstructure,heraldedfromthedaysof thetwo-personpatrolcar,wasthepartnershipandstrongloyaltiesbetweentwoofficersassignedtogetherPoliceofficers whobeginandendashiftataparticulartimedevelopinformalrelationships,shareinformation,anddiscussevents, makingthisthesmallestunitofsocialstructure.Sincesomeinformationistransmittedacrossshifts,allthoseassignedto asectorarealargerunitofsocialstructureMuchlikethemilitary,menandwomenassignedtothesameshifttendtonot onlyworktogether,butsocializetogether,alongwiththeirfamilies

Fifth,cultureisalwaysintheprocessofbeingcreatedandmodifiedForexample,flashlightsweredesignedfor

illumination,yettheweightofbatteriesmadethemusefulassurrogatebatons.Officersdevelopedinformalrulesand techniquesfortheiruse,eventhoughmosttrainingprogramsdonottrainfortheiruseasweaponsNewstoriesinfuse cultureswithdifferentwaysofthinking,thoughthesedifferentwaystendtobeorganizedaroundacommon(and approved,bythegroup)identityasabeatofficer.

Thisbroadandmultifaceteddefinitionofculturemeansthatpolicebringinavarietyof predispositionsthatincludebehaviorstheyhavelearnedathomeandatschool,theirsenseof moralsandtheirwaysofthinkingaboutrighthumanrelations,avarietyoftool-usingskills (forexample,weaponsandcomputerskills),andspeakingandotherkindsofcommunications skills.Theseelementsofculturearemodifiedandmoldedtothespecificneedsofthe occupation.

WhichofthesewaysofthinkingaboutpoliceculturebestcapturesMike’ssentiment?His conceptofpolicecultureseemsclosesttothefirstpartofCrank’sfive-partdefinition,that cultureisthesensibilityoutofwhichpoliceviewtheworldaroundthem.Centraltothat sensibilityisthemoralsensetheybringtotheirtask.Tosaythepoliceareprofoundlycultural doesnot,however,somehowdistinguishthepolicefromotherpeople.Itisthenatureofbeing human,bythisperspective,toseekmeaningintheworld.Indeed,oneofthecentralquestions ofphilosophyiswhyweseekmeaninginauniversethatseemstohavenone.Itisculturethat equalizesus,evenwhilemakingusincomprehensivelydifferent.

Thesearchformeaning,andtheefforttoliveourlivesaccordingtosomemeaningful principle,isirresistible.Welosethatmeaning,andlifelosespurpose.Fortheoccupationof policing,thatmeaningthepurposeofoccupationallifeistiedupinthemoralityofthe noblecausePerhapsthemostsignificantlegacyofthepoliceprofessionalismmovement, policearehiredtodaywithabeliefinwhattheydoandwhyitisimportant.Withoutthe noblecause,policeworkandtheculturalsettingfosteredbyitwouldbequitedifferent.

FromCulturetoValue-BasedDecision-Making

Theideathatpolicearevalue-baseddecision-makersmakessensewhenonethinksofthe policeasculturecarriers.Culturalwaysofthinkinganddoingthingsareexpressedinan officer’supbringing,hisorherbeliefofwhat’scorrect,theappropriatewaytomaintaina family,howchildrenshouldbetreated,andasenseoftheabuseofinnocenceThepolice bureaucracyisthesocialstructuralaspectofculturetheofficerhasatherdisposaltocarryout whatshebelievesintheprotectionofinnocents,doingsomethinggoodforsociety.Inthis example,weseewhatMikemeanswhenhesaysthatpoliceworkis“value-baseddecisionmaking.”Thevaluesofficershavecomefromtheirculturalsetting.Theyaresharpenedand fine-tunedintheirtrainingforpoliceworkandtheexperiencestheyencounter.The organizationprovidesabroadsetofremedies,bothintermsofarrest,intermsofnon-arrest practices,andsometimesintermsofstreetjustice,tocarryoutthosevalues.

Withoutvalues,policeworkwouldbemeaningless.Indeed,withoutvalues,humansociety woulditselfbeimpossible.Itisinthevalueshumanscarry,inthefeelingstheyhaveabout others,andinthelessonstheylearnaboutgoodandbad,rightandwrong,thatlifebecomes meaningful.Itisthroughthosevaluesthatpolicearelikeeveryoneelse.Byunderstandingthe culturalrootsofvalue-baseddecision-making,webegintounderstandhowmuchthepolice areliketherestofus.Andwealsobegintoplacepolicebureaucracyinitsappropriaterole.It isthestructuralmechanismbywhichpoliceachieveculturallydesiredgoals.

Mikecontinues.Iwantyoutogowithmenow.Let’ssaythatpolicearevalue-baseddecision-makers.Thenextquestionis “whatarethevaluesthatareimportantforunderstandingthepolice?”Miketurnstothewhiteboardandwritesthe followingonit:

Noblecause(commitmenttogetbadguysoffthestreets)

Smellofthevictim’sblood(sensitivitytovictimharm)

Thetower(willingnesstoputlifeonlineforstrangers)

Thesethreeareallinterrelatedvalues.Theyarecopvalues.Theyarethefine-tuningofthereasonssomeonebecomesa policeofficerManypeopleinsocietysharethesevalueswiththepolice,butamongthepolice,theycarryaspecial intensityTheymakepoliceworkmeaningfulAndtheyarethereasonacopwillbreakthelaworviolatepolicyinorderto dowhatheorshethinksistherightthingtodo.ThemostimportantvalueiswhatIcallthenoblecause,thecommitment todosomethingtomaketheworldabetterplacetolive.Righthere.Miketapsthetoplineonthewhiteboard.Thisvalue comesfromthekindofbackgroundspoliceofficershaveItmotivatesthemtobecomepoliceofficersAnditstayswith themthroughtheircareersOh,sometimestheybecomecynicalabouttheirabilitytodogood,surroundedbythebadthere isintheworld.Buteventheircynicismcannotbeunderstoodwithoutstartingatthebeginningthenoblecause.

TheNobleCause

Whatisthenoblecause?Thenoblecauseisamoralcommitmenttomaketheworlda saferplacetolive.Putsimply,itisgettingbadguysoffthestreet.Policearetrainedandarmed toprotecttheinnocentandthinkaboutthatgoalintermsof“keepingthescumoffthe streets”Itisnotsimplyaverbalcommitment,recitedatgraduationatthelocalPeaceOfficer StandardsandTraining(POST)academy.Norisitsomethingpolicehavetolearn.It’s somethingtowhichtheyaremorallycommitted.Thosewhodon’tfeelitarenotdestinedfor policeworkandwillbequicklyliberatedfromthehazardsofacareerinblue.

Baker(1985)sumsitlikethis:

“Iknowitsoundscornyashell,butIreallythoughtIcouldhelppeople.Iwantedtodosomegoodintheworld,you know?”That’swhateverycopanswerswhenaskedwhyhebecameapoliceofficerHe’llprobablysayitwithalaughora touchofbitternessThatdoesn’tmeanitisn’ttrueHejustisn’tarookieanylonger

(Baker,1985:1)

Thenoblecauseisnotsimplyatheoryofpolicework.Itispracticalandimmediate.It’s aboutanofficer’sconductinday-to-daypolicework.Thenoblecauseisthetietothe

fundamentallymoralnatureofpolicework.Itmotivatesanofficer’sbehaviorwithcitizens andmobilizesagreatdealofpolicesolidarity.Police,inthisway,trulyarecreaturesofthe law:properlyunderstood,thismeansthatboththepoliceandthelawembodythemoral commitmentsofthesocietyfromwhichtheycome.Twoaspectsofthenoblecausehelp explainwhypolicefeelitsostronglythesmellofthevictim’sblood,andthetower.

TheSmelloftheVictim’sBlood

Copsareacutelyawareofvictims.Thisisanaspectofpolicingthatmanyreformers overlook.Yetitisoneofthecentralcomponentsofthenoblecause.

Mikelooksacrosshisaudience,tryingtofindthewordstoexplaintheemotionsthat underlaythenoblecause.Copscansmellthebloodofvictims.

ThefirsttimeMikereferstothesmellofavictim’sblood,itputsofflisteners.Buthe explains.Victimsmotivatecopsinawaynoothercausedoes.Policeareresolutelyfocusedon theconsequencesofcrimeforvictims.It’sanaspectofourdemocraticheritagethatisdeeply ingrainedinthesympathiesofcontemporarypolice.Guyot(1991)describeshowpolicework forgesabondbetweenpoliceofficersandvictims:

Therelationshipthatcandevelopbetweenanindividualvictimandanindividualrespondingofficerisapersonaltie betweenonewhoissufferingandonewhounderstandssuffering.Theofficer’scalmhelpsthevictimtorecoversome measureofcalm;theofficer’sconcerngivesemotionalandpsychologicalsupport

(Guyot,1991:133)

Thecommitmentofpolicetovictimsmayseemabitoddtooutsiders.Yet,itmobilizesand personifiesmuchofhowthepolicefeelaboutthepublictheyserve.SeeBox1.1.

Box1.1VictimsandtheNobleCause

ConsideradeputyinNampa,Idaho,whopatrolsandlivesinanareathatisa Hispaniclaborcamp.ThecampishometotwogroupsofLatinos.Thefirstgroupis madeupoffamilieswhoserootsextendtothehighlandsofCentralMexico,andwho wereinvitedtofarminIdahoduringtheSecondWorldWarlaborshortageand subsequentlysettledin.Thedeputywasborntoafamilyfromthisgroup.Thesecond groupisrepresentedbycontemporarymigrantswhoworkinIdahoduringthesummer andreturntoTexasduringthewinter,atoughercrowdthatischaracterizedbyyoung menwhoseworkseparatesthemfromtheirspousesregularly.

Thedeputyisparticularlyconcernedaboutthechildreninthelaborcampbecause theyareoftenunattendedandplayoutofdoorsHeisprofoundlyconcernedthatoneof

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