the Netherlands. The greater Rotterdam area has a population of over
1 million inhabitants. Over 600,000 people live in the actual city and there
are 43 coffee shops that cater to an average of 25,100 clients per day
(Nijkamp & Bieleman, 2012,p. 4).
POLICE AND MORAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Becker refers to two different categories of moral entrepreneurs: rule crea-
tors and rule enforcers. The dominant image of the rule creator is what
Becker called the ‘crusading reformer’: ‘The existing rules do not satisfy
him because there is some evil which profoundly disturbs him’ (Becker,
1963 ,p. 147). The concept of the moral entrepreneur is used in publications
on a wide range of topics, from narcotics to promoting healthy food habits.
The authors refer in general to the ‘rule creator’ (Galliher & Walker, 1978;
Goode & Ben-Yehuda, 1994; Hollows & Jones, 2010; Shapiro, 1983;
Wrage & Wrage, 2005; Young, 2009). The other subcategory of the moral
entrepreneur, the rule enforcer (generally referring to the police and other
agents of law and order), is explicitly discussed by Becker but not often
studied in articles on moral entrepreneurs in general or with respect to the
police (Lipsky, 1980; Maynard-Moody & Musheno, 2003). According to
Becker rule enforcers differ from rule creators in several ways. The first
category seems to be more pragmatic and focused on getting the job done.
Although some policemen undoubtedly have a kind of crusading interest in stamping
out evil, it is probably much more typical for the policeman to have a certain detached
and objective view of his^2 job. (Becker, 1963, p. 156)
And:
He establishes priorities, dealing with things in their turn, handling the most pressing
problems immediately and leaving others for later. His attitude toward his work, in
short, is professional. He lacks the naı ̈ve moral fervor characteristic of the rule enforcer.
(ibid., p. 159)Because of these characteristics the rule enforcer and the crusading refor-
mer may have conflicting interests.
The professional enforcer’s lack of fervor and routine approach to dealing with evil
may get him into trouble with the rule creator. The rule creator, as we have said, is con-
cerned with the content of the rules that interest him. He sees them as the means by
which evil can be stamped out. He does not understand the enforcer’s long-range
approach to the same problems and cannot see why all the evil that is apparent cannot
be stamped out at once. (ibid.)Moral Entrepreneurship Revisited 141