Criminal Behavior and Policing in America - Essay Example

 Criminal Behavior and Policing in America Criminology, like many sciences, is interested in naming and defining the ideas, events, and principles that mark its development. Defining criminal behavior, though, is an especially complex task. At its most basic level, criminal behavior in the US can be defined as an infraction against a rule or law established by a local, state, or federal government that results in punishment. In fact, a much broader definition of criminal behavior merits our consideration. Criminal behavior does, indeed, involve consequences for violating rules; but it also takes into account the need to create and maintain order in society, and the given values of a society at a certain time and place, especially in the US. Orderliness allows societies to grow and prosper. To create order in societies, leaders often create codes of conduct, a policing system to make sure people are complying and to help prevent crime, and a punitive system that judges the unique situation of every accused offender, decides guilt or innocence, and doles out punishments when deemed necessary (Blackburn, 1998). Examples of similar mechanisms are all around us, from an elementary school discipline board, to the workplace, and, of course, in our police departments and court systems. This is because the need for social order is so great. It is no coincidence that the holy books of the religions of the world provide guidelines that are not only saintly, but also promote peace and order in the larger community. Criminal behavior is also defined, then, as conduct which creates a threat to social order. The definition of criminal behavior changes with time. As laws change, behavior that was once illegal is suddenly permitted. Americans in the early-twentieth century could have seen, in their lifetime, the rollercoaster ride of alcoholic spirits from “accepted” to “criminal” to “accepted once again.” Another case study is Texas, where the Supreme Court recently struck down its laws banning same-sex sodomy. A few years ago, such an act would have meant arrest, as the two plaintiffs in the case found out. They were engaged in consensual sex in the private residence of one plaintiff when the police responded to a false disturbance charge, and found them engaged in the act (Moore, 2003). The definition of criminal behavior also changes with place. In some countries of the world, drugs such as marijuana are outlawed, and possession or use brings serious consequences. In other countries, the drug is sold and used openly. In the United States, California, Alaska, Colorado, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington state all allow the use of medical marijuana, although it is explicitly prohibited by federal law. Recently, a San Francisco Circuit Court of Appeals judge ruled that states can make their own medical marijuana laws, as long as the commerce does not involve any other state (Western states back medical marijuana, 2004). While ideas about the definition of criminal behavior in a time and place influence policing, political values and social conditions also shape our ideas about policing. Ebbe (2000) suggests that each country forms its ideas about policing based on custom and tradition, historical experience, and international events. America is customarily focused on traditions of individual freedom – but we surrender much of that freedom to policing agencies when serious domestic or international events pose a danger to our collective good. In fact, we are willing to surrender our – and our fellows’ – rights to amazing capacities. In American history, we can look to the Alien and Sedition Acts, the Schenck decision, the interment of Americans of Japanese ancestry during World War II, the House Un-American Activities Committee, and the Patriot Act. The notion that it is acceptable to surrender more authority to policing agencies is well-chronicled and accepted in our nation’s history. Our history also shows periods of real isolationist sentiment that is surprising in a nation of immigrants. Perhaps because our country is so large, we do not have as many chances to interact with citizens of other nations, and that fuels our fear of others. Today, immigration is an example of a social condition that influences policing. Locally, there is more effort in some cities to locate and deport illegal workers, many of whom are from Mexico. Government agencies in states that border Mexico, federal and state, use more resources to keep out immigrants, including the creation of a giant physical wall across much of the border. Since social conditions are so closely linked to economic conditions, the sagging American economy is bound to have an effect on policing. Will more unemployment and rising prices lead to more robberies and burglaries? Will police department budgets be reduced? Will domestic violence increase as families feel the strain of the long, uphill battle to economic recovery? According to Merton’s strain theory, it is almost certain these things will happen. Merton’s idea of the cause of criminal behavior was based on a conflict in an individual caused by his or her inability to reach their culture’s definition of success. When an individual feels deprived of something most people appear to have, criminal behavior can be seen as a route to fill those unfulfilled needs (Ebbe, 200). Also, fewer jobs at home will increase competition for those slots: perhaps the jobs that were seen as acceptable only for immigrant workers a few years ago will have more appeal to “nativists” who oppose immigration. Recent international events have influenced our political values. We are currently fighting wars in two countries. Terrorists who can live virtually anywhere and strike at almost any time target us and our allies. America will always bear awful memories of September 11, 2001, and recognize it as a turning point, after which our freedoms would never be quite the same. We accept that greater security is going to be needed as we travel, and as we cross borders. So we surrender some of our rights for a greater collective good and, hopefully, improved social order. Our idea of criminal behavior will continue to change in this century, as immigration, economic issues, and a changing world challenge and shift the status quo. Social conditions and political values will help shape our fluid view of policing, crime, and punishment. References Blackburn, R. (1998). The psychology of criminal conduct: Theory, research, and practice. New York: John Wiley & Sons. Ebbe, O. (2000). Comparative and international criminal justice systems: Policing, judiciary, and corrections. Boston, MA: Butterworth-Henimann. Moore, A. (2003). Court strikes down Texas sodomy law. WorldNetDaily. Retrieved 29 August 2008, from http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=33277. Western states back medical marijuana. (2004). msnbc.com. Retrieved 29 August 2008, from http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6406453/. Read More