The Sources of Violence in America and Their Consequences for Law Enforcement

The contemporary level of violence and the sources of the violent acts that are directed against American law enforcement officers are topics that often inspire heated debate. The Sources of Violence in America and Their Consequences for Law Enforcement begins with an examination of the nature of violence and the role it plays in society, followed by an in-depth discussion and analysis of violent behavior and the extensive body of literature that has developed concerning its root causes. This book discusses the sources of violence, examines why people use violence against law enforcement officers, relates the functions of the police to the sources of violent behavior directed against them, and shows how law enforcement officers can find themselves caught between conflicting demands that do not easily submit to reconciliation. Systematically presented are major theories associated with criminal violence which include: structural-functionalist models, control, strain, symbolic interaction, cultural deviancy, labeling, contagion, and political economy theories. In addition, many useful tables are provided, and the appendices include data regarding the percentage of law enforcement officers assaulted and feloniously murdered by year and geographical region. The inclusion of vignettes will provide an opportunity to explore a variety of problematic situations. This book will be useful for programs in state, federal, and local law enforcement administration, public policy studies, and criminal justice studies.