World War II, Militarism, and Police Culture Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is the main focus of Kraska and Paulson's argument in their 1997 article?

Paramilitary units in the military

Police-community relations

Ethnographic studies

Police militarization (correct)

What did the review of Kraska's articles and their cited sources reveal?

The articles accurately interpreted the original source material

The articles were based on extensive primary research

The articles distorted the original source material (correct)

The articles were widely acclaimed by law enforcement agencies

What method did the author use to assess the accuracy of Kraska's research?

Surveys

Data analysis

Ethnographic studies

Interviews (correct)

According to Kraska and Paulson, what is the prime example of police militarization?

$PPUs$ (Police Paramilitary Units) (B) Signup and view all the answers

According to the text, what did Peter Kraska oppose?

Eastern Kentucky University and militarism (A) Signup and view all the answers

What did Kraska observe about military and police special operations subcultures?

They glorify the skill and mindset necessary to execute people from long distances (B) Signup and view all the answers

What event led to a riot and a six-fold increase in shootings in Cincinnati?

A white police officer shot an unarmed black man (D) Signup and view all the answers

'The 'Ferguson effect' suggests what about officers?'

They are holding back in minority neighborhoods (C) Signup and view all the answers

'There is a fear among officers of being labeled as racists and facing what by the press and local politicians?'

'Lynch-mob mentality' (D) Signup and view all the answers

What does the text suggest about ideological bias against police officers?

They are seen as 'repulsive' due to their occupation and lack of 'niceness.' (C) Signup and view all the answers

According to Jefferson, paramilitarism primarily focuses on controlling:

Large public disturbances (D) Signup and view all the answers

How does Waddington define paramilitarism?

As the coordination of police officers in a military-style command-and-control structure (C) Signup and view all the answers

According to Hills, paramilitarism is defined as:

An extremely tight bond between the police and the military (A) Signup and view all the answers

What does Kraska's perception of militarism emphasize?

The use of force as an effective problem-solving tool (D) Signup and view all the answers

What does Kraska's reliance on vaguely defined terms 'militarism' and 'paramilitarism' blur?

The fundamental difference between military and police actions (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is evident in Kraska's ideological stance towards police use of force?

His discomfort while conducting research among SWAT officers and his disdain for militarism (B) Signup and view all the answers

What does Kraska's research concern?

The micro-analysis of coercive state power and exposure of the law as the machinery of centralized authority (B) Signup and view all the answers

What did Kraska observe among SWAT officers?

A deeply embedded ideology of violence, militarism, and hypermasculinity (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is Kraska's research criticized for?

Not approaching the study in a value-free manner, as value-free research is essential in social science research (C) Signup and view all the answers

What does the text raise questions about regarding Kraska's ideological position?

His opposition to centralized authority and potential anarchist views (A) Signup and view all the answers

What was the number of call-outs the SWAT team had from 1982 to 1995?

208 (A) Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of U.S. SWAT teams in cities with populations of 50,000 or more received training from military Special Forces personnel?

45% (B) Signup and view all the answers

What was the reason for the shift in the unit's functioning according to the text?

Reactive to proactive policing due to the crack epidemic (A) Signup and view all the answers

What did Kraska and Paulsen find disturbing about most SWAT teams?

They resemble military units in their dress and appearance (B) Signup and view all the answers

What event led to tensions between the police and New York City mayor, Bill de Blasio?

Eric Garner's death after a choke hold during an arrest (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is one criticism of Kraska's work according to the text?

Vague definitions and ideological bias (C) Signup and view all the answers

What did the police union official conclude?

When police officers become victims, suddenly everyone loves a cop. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Who commented on the inhibiting effect of race on the behavior of a white officer?

The chief county executive, who was black (A) Signup and view all the answers

What event led to accusations against New York City mayor, Bill de Blasio?

Two police officers being executed by a gunman (B) Signup and view all the answers

What do Kraska and Paulsen see as alarming according to the text?

The blurring of military and police functions (B) Signup and view all the answers

According to Kraska's work, what is disputed without proof?

The movement of state toward reverting to military power signals its eroding ability to ensure order and compliance. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What do Kraska and Paulsen refer to as the 'paradox of coercive power'?

The idea that a tough reputation deters actual violence (B) Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes routine police work according to the text?

Involvement in mundane tasks and dealing with the same individuals repeatedly (A) Signup and view all the answers

What do officers find pleasure in, according to Kraska and Paulsen (1997)?

The dangers of SWAT work, deriving a 'rush' and feeling in control (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is seen as a deterrent to actual violence and conflict according to the text?

The fear instilled in citizens by the appearance of force from officers (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is characterized as a significant aspect of police behavior according to the text?

A mission to protect the weak, a game of wits against 'the bad guys,' cynicism, and an addiction to adrenaline (A) Signup and view all the answers

What do officers refer to routine calls as, according to the text?

'UBS calls,' indicating the routine and unpleasant nature of their work (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is seen as a way to escape the unpleasant aspects of routine police work according to the text?

Promotion to administrative positions or joining a SWAT team (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is predominantly involved in day-to-day police work according to the text?

Routine, mundane tasks, and dealing with the same individuals repeatedly (B) Signup and view all the answers

What are some challenging conditions officers have to work in based on the text?

Rotating shifts and exposure to harsh weather (A) Signup and view all the answers

What do Skolnick and Fyfe (1993) refer to as the 'paradox of coercive power'?

Where a nasty reputation deters actual violence (A) Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Flawed Premises of Kraska's Research on SWAT Teams

Kraska and Paulsen conducted a study on a police department with 391 sworn officers in a city of 250,000 people in the early to middle 1990s.
From 1982 to 1995, the SWAT team had 208 call-outs, with a shift from reactive to proactive policing due to the crack epidemic.
The change in the unit's functioning was a direct result of the crack epidemic, with the department's chief stating that the "dopers started barricading and arming themselves extensively."
Kraska and Paulsen see the shift from reactive to proactive policing as alarming, citing concerns about the blurring of military and police functions.
They find it alarming that 45% of U.S. SWAT teams in cities with populations of 50,000 or more have received training from military Special Forces personnel and that many SWAT team officers have a military background.
Kraska and Paulsen also find it disturbing that most SWAT teams resemble military units in their dress and appearance, citing concerns about creating a "warrior mentality" to instill fear in others.
The chief county executive, who was black, commented on the inhibiting effect of race on the behavior of a white officer.
In 2014, Eric Garner died after a choke hold was used on him during an arrest, leading to tensions between the police and New York City mayor, Bill de Blasio.
In December 2014, two police officers were executed by a gunman in New York City, leading the head of the police union to accuse the mayor of having "blood on his hands."
The police union official concluded that "when police officers become victims, suddenly everyone loves a cop."
The premises of Kraska's work are criticized for having vague definitions and ideological bias, and his research is seen as an attack on the police.
Kraska's complaint about the movement of the state toward reverting to the use of military power signals its eroding ability to ensure order and compliance is disputed, with no proof offered for the claim that SWAT officers enjoy taking on military roles.

The Role of Fear and Subculture in Police Behavior

Kraska and Paulsen (1997) discuss the fear instilled in citizens by SWAT teams, which reduces the chances of injuries to officers or civilians.
Skolnick and Fyfe (1993) call this the "paradox of coercive power" where a nasty reputation deters actual violence.
Police subculture is shaped by a universal fear of violence and the unpleasant nature of routine police work.
Routine police work involves physical and grueling tasks, leading to low status and tarnishing the officers' standing.
Officers find pleasure in the dangers of SWAT work, deriving a "rush" and feeling in control, according to Kraska and Paulsen (1997).
Police subculture is characterized by a mission to protect the weak, a game of wits against "the bad guys," cynicism, and an addiction to adrenaline.
Day-to-day police work is predominantly routine, involving mundane tasks and dealing with the same individuals repeatedly.
Officers refer to routine calls as "UBS calls," indicating the routine and unpleasant nature of their work.
Officers have to work in various challenging conditions, including rotating shifts and exposure to harsh weather.
Promotion to administrative positions or joining a SWAT team are seen as ways to escape the unpleasant aspects of routine police work.
The fear instilled in citizens by the appearance of force from officers is seen as a deterrent to actual violence and conflict.
The paradox of coercive power, where a tough reputation reduces the need for actual violence, is a significant aspect of police behavior.

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Test your knowledge on the historical context of opposition to militarism, hypermasculinity, and police culture. Explore the complexities of these topics in relation to World War II and modern contexts.