Abstract

Enforcement: Illusion of Security

This article focuses on the law enforcing status of the U.S. police force. Many police officers in the country are addressing themselves as law-enforcing officers. Part of the reason for the popularity of the term is the impression it conveys to the public that law enforcement per se is the primary and highest goal of American policemen. This in turn stems from the growing anger, frustration and anxiety of policemen, who feel more and more embattled, less and less supported by the public. But one need not be perverse to be amused by the thought of what would happen if all the ordinances and laws of a city were uniformly enforced-even for one day. The resulting confusion and disruption would border on civil chaos and collapse.