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PEER GROUP SUPPORT FOR POLICE OCCUPATIONAL DEVIANCE
Author(s) -
BARKER THOMAS
Publication year - 1977
Publication title -
criminology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.467
H-Index - 139
eISSN - 1745-9125
pISSN - 0011-1384
DOI - 10.1111/j.1745-9125.1977.tb00071.x
Subject(s) - deviance (statistics) , socialization , phenomenon , criminology , empirical research , social psychology , psychology , peer group , language change , social phenomenon , sociology , social science , computer science , epistemology , art , philosophy , literature , machine learning
Although there have been several journalistic and impressionistic accounts of police corrupt behavior, there are few empirical studies of this phenomenon. One of the reasons for this lack of research is the absence of theoretical frames of reference to guide research endeavors. This paper deals with police corruption as but one of many forms of occupational deviance and discusses the manner in which the social conditions existing within the occupational milieu contribute to such corruption. In particular. the paper examines the manner in which the opportunity structure and socialization practices within the occupation combine with peer group support to create a social situation where certain corrupt acts are tolerated and accepted.