ABSTRACT

Police in democratic society have a difficult role. They must control crime while at the same time defending basic rights. The New York City Police Department (NYPD) has, in particular, exported a very aggressive model of policing. Their performance management system is essentially policing by numbers. That is, heavy quotas to write summonses, conduct forcible stops, and make arrests. This model has led to vast community discontent with policing, especially among minorities. On the other hand, police do not feel all powerful and are demoralized by a lack of support. Indeed, they have eight specific pressures that influence their behaviors: law, politics, media, police bureaucracy, police culture, unions, the communities they work in, and other more personal influences. Police discretion complicates their role even more. Specific solutions to handle this are suggested such as community partnerships, transparency, and accountability.