Svrha i funkcija policije kao društvene institucije – prilog razmatranju sociologije policije
The Purpose and Function of Police as a Social Institution – Contribution to Sociology of Police

Summary/Abstract: This paper is looking into the purpose and function of police as a social institution and is aimed at determining whether sociology of police can be established as a sociological subdiscipline. The first chapter analyses the need for security as one of the basic human needs, endangered by various kinds of deviant behaviour, and the process of institutionalization of police as a form of social activity that fulfills and satisfies that basic need. The second chapter provides the chronology and the examples of the development of police as an institution from ancient and primal societies up to the modern ones. The third chapter proceeds to define police as a social institution, emphasizing its social function. Accordingly, the definition is based upon the fundamental elements of the sociological definitions of institution, some of the general definitions of police, enumerating its specific expected activities, and the possible conclusions about the functions of police in contemporary society within the basic orientations of sociological theory. The fourth chapter indicates possible social disfunctions of police as deviations from the serve and protect principle, taking for example some activities of secret police. The fifth chapter defines the purpose of police in society by analysing the principle of sociability in the sense that police and society are mutual in functionally sharing common values and activity principles. In the conclusion, the basic concepts outlined in the paper are applied as elements contributing to the establishment of sociology of police. In addition to that,

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