Social Control In Canada

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In order for a society to function in cohesiveness, there needs to be a form of social control whether that be informal or formal. Informal social control looks like peers, family members and public opinions. Others are in forms of laws and sanctions. The first forms of social control we can see in hunter gatherer societies where social control if not ensured would hinder their survival. Control in these societies looked like banishing those that did not conform to the norms or that act in what they described as bizarre ways, with changing times it has come to learn that they were most likely ill be that physically or mentally. In Canada, or rather what indigenous people referred to as turtle islands there was a system of social control in …show more content…

Meaning, more usually than not people feel the need to uphold values when police are present. Further, police presence alone is a form of deterrence. They can also be used to support community events to maintain order without having to do any police interventions by simply deescalating situations through verbal dispute resolution. Further, the can help guide traffic at major events to unsure the safety of the community. This is similar to that of the hunter gatherer societies just on a different level as societies ways of life has changed. Police are needed for crime control as they have the ability to uphold the laws of the land which are rules that for the most part Canadians agree on in hopes to live and function cohesively. Which is similar to the traditional law mentioned previously that was utilized by Indigenous peoples. Police are also given much discretion although controversial due to the belief that their discretionary powers are getting more and more limited. Therefore, in specific situations they may help with the rehabilitation or even reintegration of offenders into …show more content…

For example, under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, police have discretionary powers take other measures than judicial proceedings. In other words, a police officer can choose to do nothing, caution, warn or make a referral to an extrajudicial measure rather than charging the youth. When police make a reference to an extrajudicial measure, they are helping rehabilitate the you and later this approach will help them to be reintegrated. (cite)P.64. Further, police have discretionary powers to bring people to detox rather than charging them with public intoxication or public disturbance, this measure is rehabilitative. Police may also help those omitted of an offence by reintegrating them into society by ensuring they meet their conditions of their release. Police can also be utilized to ensure the safety and protection of the community. Police work daily risking their lives by stepping in harms way to protect the community. They often have to deal with violent offenders, weapons and crisis negotiation. Police work hard to prevent or impede further harm and damage to society. They are needed members of the community to ensure we are

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