NCJ Number
27927
Date Published
1974
Length
23 pages
Annotation
AS PART OF A LARGER STUDY OF ASSAULTS ON POLICE CONDUCTED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA, THIS STUDY EXAMINED THE CHARACTERISTICS OF POLICE ASSAILANTS TO DETERMINE IF ANY RELATIONSHIP EXISTS BETWEEN ASSAULTS AND THESE TRAITS.
Abstract
TWENTY-FIVE INDIVIDUALS CHARGED WITH ASSAULT AGAINST LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS WERE INTERVIEWED DURING THE MONTHS OF AUGUST THROUGH DECEMBER, 1973. THE INTERVIEW SCHEDULE CONSISTED OF 54 QUESTIONS DESIGNED TO IDENTIFY SOCIAL BACKGROUND CHARACTERISTICS OF THE OFFENDER, CAUSAL FACTORS LEADING TO THE ASSAULT INCIDENT, THE ASSAILANTS' ATTITUDES TOWARD THE POLICE, AND OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL AND SITUATIONAL FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO ASSAULTS. IT WAS FOUND THAT THE TYPICAL POLICE ASSAULT SUSPECT IN THIS GROUP IS A MEMBER OF A MINORITY RACE, ECONOMICALLY UNSUCCESSFUL, MALE, 18-25 YEARS OF AGE, AND OFTEN BESET WITH PERSONAL PROBLEMS. HE HAD BEEN DRINKING BEFORE THE INCIDENT OCCURRED AND WAS NOT BEING ARRESTED FOR A MAJOR CRIME. IT IS THE OPINION OF MOST OF THE SUSPECTS INTERVIEWED THAT ALTHOUGH THEY RESPECT THE ABSTRACT ROLE OF THE POLICE IN SOCIETY, THEY WERE TREATED UNJUSTLY BY THE POLICE IN A PERSONAL CONFRONTATION. THE VAST MAJORITY CLAIMED THAT THE AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR OF THE POLICE PROVOKED THE INCIDENT; SOME CLAIMED THAT THEY, NOT THE POLICE, WERE ASSAULTED FIRST. THE SUSPECTS FELT THAT ALTERED BEHAVIOR ON THE PART OF THE ARRESTING OFFICER, FOR EXAMPLE, THE USE OF MORE CARE AND DIPLOMACY IN HANDLING INTOXICATED PERSONS, WOULD HAVE PREVENTED THE INCIDENT. FOR OTHER REPORTS OF THE POLICE ASSAULTS STUDY, SEE NCJ-27926, 27929, 27930, 27932, 27862, 27863, 27864, AND 27867. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)