| Abstract: | Reasons for citizen reporting to the police have not been systematically studied. This paper presents the results of an inquiry into the patterns of reporting noncriminal incidents. These events far outnumber crimes reported to the police in most jurisdictions and present unique opportunities for research. Four reporting patterns are presented and discussed: maintaining social boundaries: relieving unpleasant situations; counter-reporting; and correcting hazardous situations. The consequences of these patterns for policing and criminology are outlined in terms of citizens defining the most probable outcomes of situations. |
