QUESTION 1: According to the readings, "Crime Classification Systems: NCVS, NIBRS, and UCR" authors Pazzani & Tita identify limitations in the use of NIBRS:

"It has the same limitation as the UCR in that crimes that are not reported to the police cannot be recorded. Just like the UCR, some types of crimes are less likely to be reported to the police, so whereas all homicides, for example, will likely be recorded, only a small percentage of rapes will be"

According to Chapter 20: Victimization, authors Fisher & Reyns identify similar limitations in the use of the UCR:

"The usefulness of the UCR as a measure of the "true" amount of victimization is limited, because it overlooks the dark figure of crime; that is, it includes only those crimes reported to and known by law enforcement and reflected in official crime statistics"

In our readings last week, the police subculture was briefly discussed. Authors Worley & Barua referenced "The Blue Wall of Secrecy". The Blue Wall of Secrecy means "loyalty" and is defined as a code of honor that exists within the police subculture. It occurs when police officers know that their peers have committed unethical acts of misconduct and they choose to "look the other way" by refusing to take action or reporting them.

A similar "code of honor" exists within communities across the United States and is called "The Code of Silence." The Code of Silence occurs when citizens are victimized by crimes and refuse to report the offense. Citizens are reluctant to report crimes or participate in police investigations either out of fear or retaliation and as a result crimes go unreported. In both instances if one decides to report a crime or criminal act, whether within the police department or community, the person would be considered a "snitch".

Although the use of crime classification systems such as NIBRS, UCR and NCVS have improved policing and enabled departments across the United States to address and prevent crimes, without cooperation from citizens/victims in reporting crime, their usefulness to law enforcement will continue to be limited.

What can Police Departments do to breakdown these barriers and gain the communities confidence in reporting crime?

Why do you think the "Code Of Silence" is more prevalent in some communities and not others?

http://knowledge.sagepub.com.ezproxy.umuc.edu/view/criminology/n34.xml

http://www.cops.usdoj.gov/html/dispatch/July_2009/stop_snitching.htm

QUESTION 2: Have you or a family member ever been a victim of a crime? If so, explain the experience. For example did the police officer provide a victim's right card, inform you of court process, inform you of similar/related cases that occurred in the same area and provided updates to the case.

Was the interaction with law enforcement positive or negative?

Do you think the National Crime Victimization Survey is an accurate depiction of victim's of crime or do you believe people are not always truthful in reporting victimization. Explain your answer.