SOC327 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Firstclass, Collegehumor
16 Sep 2015
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Document Summary
Policing is only one element of social control. Most keep the same general values, but other variations occur. Front men for the idea of social control. Have right to detain/arrest when they believe you are breaking the law. Most of us conform, most of the time due to socialization and social norms. Police are involved when social norms/controls are ineffective. What police do/do not do (formal controls) has little impact/deterrence on vast majority. Punishment for crime is very ineffective as punishment. Governments take on responsibilities that other family agencies used to. Passing more laws that regulate our behaviour, using police to enforce those laws. Crime occurs, police deal with said crime (reactive) During drug busts, etc. undercover look for use (proactive) Should deal with issues with the least coercive/repressive method possible. Politicians claiming to be tough on crime get elected. Most crimes are due to blocked opportunities and other social problems.
