Discuss gender bias in police treatment of male and female ...

[azncindy619]

Discuss gender bias in police treatment of male and female offenders. Provide an example.
 
  What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

Explain how environmental factors would influence a police officer's use of discretion. Do you think environmental factors are important in discretionary decision making? Why or why not?
 
  What will be an ideal response?

[anoriega3]

Answer to Question 1

 Some experts favor the chivalry hypothesis, which holds that police are likely to act paternally toward young girls and not arrest them.
 Others believe that police may be more likely to arrest female offenders because their actions violate officers' stereotypes of the female.
 There is some research support for various forms of gender bias. The nature of this bias may vary according to the seriousness of the offense and the age of the offender.
 Studies offer a variety of conclusions, but there seems to be general agreement that police are less likely to process females for delinquent acts and that they discriminate against them by arresting them for status offenses.
 Police tend to be more lenient toward females than males with regard to acts of delinquency.
 Merry Morash found that boys who engage in typical male delinquent activities are much more likely to develop police records than females.
 Student examples will vary.

Answer to Question 2

 The norms of the community are a factor in the decision. Some officers work in communities that tolerate a fair amount of personal freedom. In liberal environments, the police may be inclined to release juveniles rather than arrest them.
 Other officers work in conservative communities that expect a no-nonsense approach to police enforcement. Here, police may be more inclined to arrest a juvenile.
 Police officers may be influenced by their perception of community alternatives to police intervention. Some officers may use arrest because they believe nothing else can be done.
 Others may favor referring juveniles to social service agencies, particularly if they believe a community has a variety of good resources. These referrals save time and effort; records do not have to be filled out, and court appearances can be avoided.
 The availability of such options allows for greater latitude in police decision making.
 Student views will vary.