Discuss why it is often difficult to determine the true extent of crime. Include a discussion of police discretion and accuracy.

What will be an ideal response?


The ideal answer should include:
1. There is no single, universally agreed-on definition of crime.
2. Police officers have considerable discretion about how strongly to enforce laws. This discretionary power gives police many opportunities to exercise their own concept of lawful behavior in decisions about what complaints merit attention, who they should arrest, and who should be released.
3. Crime statistics depend on police reports, and more police are assigned to low-income neighborhoods.

Sociology

You might also like to view...

In complex societies, societal control tends to be more formal and appears to be more repressive than that found in traditional societies

a. true b. false

Sociology

Victimization data show that the closer the relationship between female victims and offenders the greater the likelihood a woman will report the rape

Indicate whether the statement is true or false

Sociology

95% and 99% are common ranges for __________

Fill in the blanks with correct word

Sociology

Recent tax policies in the United States have __________

A) exacerbated the unequal distribution of wealth B) decreased the national debt C) decreased the political influence of the wealthy D) decreased the costs of running for public office

Sociology