http://cjp.sagepub.com/Criminal Justice Policy Review

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DOI: 10.1177/088740349900900311 1999 9: 501Criminal Justice Policy Review

Curtis R. BlakelyUnderstanding Police Culture.

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Department of Criminlogy at Indiana University of Pennsylvania

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CJPR, Vol. 9 NO. 3 & 4/99, pp. 501-504 OIUP

Understanding Police Culture. John P. Crank, Anderson Publishing Co., 1998, 348 pp.

With increased academic interest in American policing, scholars are seeking to revisit police culture from a more contemporary vantage point. This is precisely the forte of Uiiderstoritlirig Police Ciiltiire. Crank pres- ents a creatively organized ensemble of previously written material. In his own words, Crank endeavors a work of creative integration and not one of mind-numbing summation. In essence, Crank celebrates pre-existing research that directly relate the perceptions, struggles, and experiences comprising police culture. Crank establishes six broad areas for examina- tion including: Uiiderstrriidiiig Police Ciiltiire, Tlienies of Police Ciiltiire, Tlienies of the Unknown, Cirltirrrrl Tlienies of Solidarity, Loosely Coiipliiig Ciiltiird Tlienies, mid Dentli mid Police Ciiltiire. For ease of reading and due to space limitations, I will limit this review to chapter lay-out and topics of police firearms, corruption, and finally, police deaths.

Crank begins his text by exploring two common means by which soci- ety is exposed to police culture; academics and media. According to Crank, academia has often concentrated only on the bureaucratic, organi- zational and situational factors associated with police efforts. Crank states that law enforcement, being a closed profession, is unlikely to fully reveal itself to academicians. In essence, overall efforts undertaken by researchers to steep themselves within police culture have been futile, resulting only in an elementary understanding. Likewise, Crank also explores the manner in which the media portray the police. In the authors view, the media polarizes police exposure by focusing exclusively upon attention-grabbing aspects of police work and by portraying police efforts as fruitless or criminal. This tendency to half-report and selectively-report may impede societys potential to fully understand the police, and the routine, often mundane, activities constituting a majority of their efforts. This haphazard reporting, therefore, hampers relations between the police and larger society, further alienating the police into a deeper, more ingrained sub-culture. This may negatively affect police being embraced by larger society, relegating them, instead, to an increasingly closed and separate sub-culture. Uiiclerstartclirtg Police Ciiltiire is an attempt to por- tray police in neither manner exclusively, but from a more neutral, unbi- ased perspective.

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A prevalent characteristic of this text is Cranks use of sociological perspectives when examining police culture, presenting a more macro- level introduction to the characteristics or specifics being presented. This allows the reader to develop a more refined perception of how police cul- ture and society have simultaneously evolved, and how larger society has influenced and affected police culture. This concept of cultural inter- dependence forms the basis for much of Cranks logic. Crank asserts that the central theme to Uiirlerstaiirling Police Ciiltiire is that police behavior can be better understood only when viewed through the lens of culture (p. 4).

Chapter layout is another attribute increasing this texts usability. Each chapter not only has an appropriate and thought-provoking title, but the manuscript is well developed thematically, permitting the reader to quick- ly and effortlessly locate topics of interest. For example, Chapter 24 is titled, Good-bje iii n Secl of Bliie and is followed by the caption, Tlieiiie: Police Fiuiernls. While chapter themes may be incorporated within their corresponding chapter title, this approach ensures that those readers surveying this text can do so in a more informed manner. Likewise, each chapters title and theme are followed by a quote summa- rizing the basic precept that follows.

Early on, Crank establishes a rapport with the reader that encourages and cultivates a trust nurtured throughout. This feat is accomplished by using easily understandable language and anecdotes that quickly, yet clearly, illustrate the point being made. Similarly, Cranks language can, at times, be graphic and unflattering. For example, the theme of Chapter 2 1 is Biillsliit, with sub- sections including, Militaristic Cliaiii-of Coiiiiiiand mid the Procliiction of Biillsliit, The Memirenterit of Biillshit, Biillsliit Siin~ivnl, and Hiiiiior arid Biillsliit. In addition, one can find a variety of other terms that if employed elsewhere, could be labeled inappropriate. However, Cranks selection of these words serves a function other than mere shock. Instead, his phraseology introduces readers to the terminology and quirks of police culture. No sanitation or academic softening is interjected. While readers may find this a bit dis- tracting, it increases the overall potency of this text.

In Chapter 6, Stoppiiig Power, Crank discusses guns and their role within police culture, including, to a lesser extent, an exploration of mas- culinity, romance, political ideology and symbolism. Cranks affirms that

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the mere presence of a sidearm is capable of creating fear in outsiders and establishing respect among peers. According to Crank, a pro-gun orienta- tion coupled with a high value for firearms prowess, has quickly become the method by which authority and hierarchy are established. Crank states that, guns are evaluated for their stopping power and cops for the accu- racy of their aim (p. 84). Accordingly, this preoccupation with the firearm is reflected in police advertisements, conferences, exhibits and in magazines like Police Chief and Law and Order. It is enlightening to see how police perceive the role and purpose of firearms within the context of law enforcement. After reading this chapter, I was left with the per- ception that Crank believes police, both individually and collectively, tend to over-emphasize the importance of firearms within their sub- cul- ture. In essence, the symbolism perpetuated by the firearm tends to unify and serve as a social glue, adhering group members. Crank continues by exploring issues related to the infrequent use of firearms, firearms train- ing, and police deaths resulting from firearms usage. Regarding police deaths and firearms, Crank states, police deaths at the hands of police, whether accidental or suicidal, are as common as police-suspect shoot- ings (P. 9 1). Cranks ability, willingness and no-nonsense approach to this subject are reminiscent of Samuel Walker.

Crank tackles issues that other authors ignore. For example, in Chapter 11, Crank explores the topic of police corruption in what he labels, Seclirctiotis of the Edge. In this Chapter, Crank openly discusses sever- al common ways that officers become involved in illegal activities. According to Crank, this area of research has often been overlooked by social scientists that prefer to concentrate on empirical measurements. Crank believes that the excitement of these activities may be one reason that officers find them alluring. The authors accounts range from border- line humorous to criminal. Subjects discussed include Seduction and Undercover Work, Seduction, the Slippery Slope of Crime, and the Sensuous Dark, and The Setlirctiotis of Sex These sub-sections include discussions on drugs, entrapment, and other forms of misconduct. By discussing these illicit activities, Crank strikes a balance between the positive and negative aspects of police culture.

Cranks also discusses, in Chapters 22 through 24, death and ways that individuals and departments deal with bereavement issues. He openly explores topics of violence, threats of violence, death rituals, and deaths

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occurring in the line of duty. According to Crank, when a tragedy befalls someone within the police profession, Links are established and events unfold resulting in a reaffirmation of basic values and an attempt by the police department and community to care for the family of the slain offi- cer. Crank explores this commitment in terms of financial support and ways to bestow honor and maintain tradition as integrated police cultural concerns. These events, while being largely family concentrated, also serve to re-establish professional commitments and a fundamental belief in police ideals.

Uiiclerstniidiiig Police Cirltirre is timely, well designed, and offers an in-depth look at society, police and their culture. The reader or student will enjoy the manner in which this text is organized. Likewise, each sec- tion is comprehensive, easily understandable and, at times, entertaining. This text does not falsely promise to be something it is not. Instead, it presents itself as a compilation of previously published material rather than original research. This is not a weakness, but a successful attempt at unification. For those interested in the police and their role within a dem- ocratic society, this text is invaluable and may prove to be the standard by which similar texts are measured. Likewise, those within academia should seriously consider including it within both undergraduate and graduate courses. In short, this text is a solid undertaking, clearly deserv- ing attention from academicians and professionals alike.

Curtis R. Blakely Eastern Kentucky University