The legalistic style of policing:
A) enforces the letter of the law.
B) seeks to legalize controversial forms of deviant behavior.
C) is marked by the order-maintenance function of the police.
D) requires police action in disruptive situations even if no law is broken.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The legalistic style of policing emphasizes enforcing the letter of the law, with little room for discretion or community-oriented problem-solving. Officers are expected to identify and punish those who break the law, which can lead to a focus on petty crime and neglect of more serious issues. The legalistic style often results in a reactive approach to policing, where officers respond to crime after it occurs rather than preventing it proactively.

The Legalistic Style of Policing