Summary
Chapter 6 of Peter Moskos’s book Cop in the Hood, titled “Under Arrest,” explores the influence of police strategies and pressures on arrest rates and the criminal justice system. The author demonstrates that arrests are often seen as a measure of police efficacy, while acknowledging that providing overtime pay may lead to higher arrest rates that do not always enhance public safety. This point has a consequential impact, as law enforcement officials averse to administrative tasks may choose to refrain from making arrests.
Even though such arrests might enhance their earnings through court proceedings. An important observation has been made about the unequal arrest rates of white and black persons, despite comparable rates of drug use and distribution. The chapter delineates the blatant racial profiling and prejudice that are ingrained in the law enforcement system.
Moskos also characterizes “High-Arrest Officers,” or “Urban Cowboys,” as individuals who prioritize making a large number of arrests solely for statistical and financial purposes, rather than for public safety. Their conduct differs from that of “peacekeeper” cops, who sometimes function unnoticed for their commendable efforts due to their lower arrest statistics (Moskos 136). These peacekeepers, who are recognized for earning the respect of the communities they serve, may embody a police mentality that does not use the number of arrests as a measure of productivity.
The chapter delves into morale concerns among police officers during high-risk periods such as New Year’s Eve, when they face increased risk of being targeted while carrying out their duty to uphold public order. The text examines the predicament of race-blind policing, wherein a heightened police presence in minority, high-crime regions results in a racial imbalance in arrests. This issue implies that even with policies that do not consider race, the consequences would still exhibit disproportionate impacts, failing to address the fundamental systemic and institutional racism.
Officer Bricknell’s goal is to surpass previous officers’ records and improve his statistics in preparation for a potential transfer. He implements a strict zero-tolerance policy, prioritizing an effective strategy to boost his arrest numbers. It is possible by specifically targeting cyclists who break the law by riding without lights at night, which is a mandatory rule.
Bricknell would apprehend cyclists who lacked a light and, in the absence of proper identification, detain them. This strategy, albeit within the bounds of the law, focused on a small violation to accumulate arrests, many of which implicated people who were probably engaged in the illicit drug business inside the community. Bricknell defends his tactics by stating that he is only upholding the law and asserting that people can easily avoid arrest by adhering to the cycling light rule or by carrying identification.
Moskos promotes implementing policing practices that are more considerate and deliberate, rather than relying on “zero tolerance” methods. He acknowledges the need to find a balance between the advantages of police presence and the possible adverse effects, particularly in terms of perpetuating racial inequality. He suggests that effective policing demands more than simply being there. It also requires the ability to make careful judgments when enforcing the law, to have deep knowledge of the communities being served, and to ensure a just application of the law.
Critical Analysis
The selected Chapter 6 from Cop in the Hood by Peter Moskos explores the connection between police discretion and ethical decision-making in law enforcement activities. These are points mentioned in Chapter 10, “Ethics and Decision-Making,” from Introduction to Policing. The written part by Moskos recounts the actions of Officer Bricknell, who uses his discretion to make numerous arrests by focusing on minor infractions of cycling regulations. Although Bricknell’s actions are legal, they raise concerns about the proper use of judgment. The topic discussed in Chapter 10 of the class material is pertinent because it highlights the need for responsible and ethical decision-making when exercising police discretion.
Chapter 10 from the class text emphasizes that discriminatory tactics, such as racial profiling, undermine public trust and create a rift between the police and the community. Although Moskos does not directly address racial profiling in the selected chapter, the focus on minor offenses in places with high crime rates may indirectly result in discriminatory consequences and diminished trust. Moreover, chapter 6 of the narration refers to implicit constraints within police culture that compel officers to prioritize the number of arrests.
This point might potentially conflict with the principles of ethical policing delineated in the textbook, which include honesty, integrity, responsibility, accountability, and professionalism. Bricknell’s policing approach, driven primarily by personal interests such as statistical accomplishments and professional aspirations, exemplifies the textbook’s concern. It is the negative aspects of the police subculture, combined with inadequate accountability and leadership, that can sustain unethical behaviors.
The textbook’s chapter reveals the need for responsible, ethical decision-making and discretion, rather than being driven by personal ambition. Additionally, it highlights that discriminatory law enforcement methods, such as racial profiling, undermine public confidence and generate tense relationships between the police and the community. While Moskos does not explicitly accuse Bricknell of engaging in racial profiling, the focus on minor offenses primarily in high-crime neighborhoods, which are typically home to minority communities, could lead to some form of indirect discrimination. This can contribute to the problems outlined in the textbook.
Both parts from books acknowledge the inherent duality of discretionary power in police – it is crucial for successful law enforcement. Still, it may also result in misconduct if not used with ethical considerations in mind. The textbook’s chapter 10 promotes a synchronized approach to discretion, ethics, responsibility, and professionalism, proposing the need for systemic changes and regular ethical education (Cox et al. 240). Similarly, the part from Cop in the Hood serves as a prime example of the complex and morally challenging situations that police officers encounter in their daily work. It highlights the disparity that may arise between official policies and their actual implementation.
These books eventually agree that the professionalization of police relies heavily on the ethical and responsible use of discretionary authority by individual officers and the policing system. The textbook’s chapter advocates for the indispensability of ethical conduct for police to be considered a professional domain. Still, Chapter 6 presents a practical situation that highlights the consequences that might arise when such cohesive strategies are absent. The selected part from Cop in the Hood exemplifies the need to use ethical discretion in law enforcement, as discussed in Chapter 10 of Introduction to Policing.
Works Cited
Cox, Steven M., et al. “Chapter 10. Ethics and Decision-Making.” Introduction to Policing, SAGE Publications, 2018, pp. 238–56.
Moskos, Peter. “Under Arrest: Discretion in the Ghetto.” Cop in the Hood, Princeton University Press, 2008.