Forces of Deviance: Understanding the Dark Side of Policing

by Victor E. Kappeler, Geoffrey P. Alpert, Richard D. Sluder

An informative look at a very difficult topic! The discretion, authority, and power granted the police to accomplish their mission offer multiple opportunities for deviance. This revised edition effectively organizes a large amount of material in order to provide students with a timely and comprehensive review of this disturbing dimension of police organizations. The authors' analysis of deviance as the product of the organization of the occupation, the expectations of society, and the perceptions and interpretations of the role of the police are compellingly presented. A fascinating portrait of the social and organizational factors of the police working environment emerges, providing students with a broad framework for assessing the police culture and the many forms of police deviance.

Genres: Nonfiction

314 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1994

Reviews

[Vicki Boyd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Profoundly interesting. Sheds a light on what we already know, and what minorities experience. Exposed the myth of “bad apples.” Being a good officer is surely the norm in many areas, but extremely difficult to sustain in corrupt precincts.
We appreciate our protectors. But must realize protection is not the experience of so many Americans.

[Allen Patterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are a police officer or live in a country that has police officers then this book ought to interest you. Seriously, I would love for every police officer that has a conscience(and I do believe that is most of them) would read this book to help them to never be part of a problem or to be part of a solution if a problem exist in their department.