2. Realists
Realists believe that the role of police should be
to focus on controlling the streets so that law-
abiding citizens feel safe. They advocate “a zero
tolerance” policy towards undesirable behaviour.
Such as prostitution, begging and drunkenness.
Advocating a “zero tolerance” policy gives
police free rein to discriminate against ethnic
minorities youth and homeless.
4. What do the Marxists believe?
The police are influenced by stereotypes, racism, sexism and
homophobia. They see members of the public as actual or
potential criminals.
5. Marxism
• Laws reflect the interest of the bourgeoisie
and the police enforce these laws.
• Marxists believe that the police are seen as
distinct and separate from the public.
• Relationships between the police and
public are often uneasy and even hostile
they are suspicious of each other or even
seen as enemies.
• Police rely heavily upon technology and
surveillance rather than co operation from
the public.
6. Discretion
Discretion can allow policing to be flexible
or sensitive but may also lead to
discrimination and injustice.
Reiner suggest 3 ways to explaining police discretion:
Individualist explanations- the individual
officers use discretion in particular ways.
Cultural explanations- police have a distinctive
culture –canteen culture- which means they are
suspicious macho, white, homophobic
Structural explanations- This is the Marxists
view of the police, they believe that the police
are an agent working for the bourgeoisie.
