NCJ Number
58279
Journal
Police Magazine Volume: 2 Issue: 4 Dated: (JULY 1979) Pages: 26,33-37
Date Published
1979
Length
6 pages
Annotation
THE THEORY THAT MAYOR RIZZO'S PHILOSOPHY AND ACTIONS, BOTH AS POLICE COMMISSIONER AND AS MAYOR, HAVE CREATED AN ATMOSPHERE IN WHICH POLICE BRUTALITY IS ACCEPTABLE IS PRESENTED.
Abstract
POLICE COMMUNITY RELATIONS IN THE 14TH DISTRICT ARE CRITICAL. HOWEVER, THE END OF THE FRANK RIZZO ERA MAY BE COMING SOON AS A RESULT OF BOTH LOCAL AND NATIONAL PRESSURE. FROM HIS APPOINTMENT AS POLICE COMMISSIONER IN 1967 THROUGH THE CURRENT AND FINAL YEAR OF HIS SECOND TERM AS MAYOR, HE HAS UNQUESTIONABLY TAKEN A TOUGHER 'LAW AND ORDER' APPROACH TO CRIME AND DISSENT THAN ANY OTHER PUBLIC FIGURE. FOR YEARS, RIZZO WAS SUPPORTED BY A GENERALLY FAVORABLE PRESS AND A LARGELY BLUE-COLLAR WHITE ELECTORATE, BUT THE CITY'S MOOD IS CHANGING. RECENTLY, MARCHES BY THE GUARDIANS, AN ORGANIZATION OF 800 BLACK AND 5 WHITE POLICE OFFICERS, HAVE TAKEN PLACE AT PHILADELPHIA'S 14TH POLICE DISTRICT STATION, CALLING FOR REFORM IN THE AREA OF POLICE MISCONDUCT. IN ADDITION, CHARGES OF POLICE BRUTALITY PROMPTED HEARINGS IN PHILADELPHIA AND IN HOUSTON THIS SPRING, AS ORDERED BY THE U.S. COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS. THE COMMISSION HEARD 29 WITNESSES GIVE HIGHLY CONFLICTING TESTIMONY. MOST CRITICS OF THE PHILADELPHIA POLICE, HOWEVER, AGREE THAT THE REAL SOLUTION TO THE DEPARTMENT'S PROBLEM IS A POLITICAL ONE. THE NUMBER OF FEDERAL CIVIL RIGHTS LAWSUITS AGAINST THE DEPARTMENT CONTINUES TO MOUNT; TODAY THERE ARE OVER 200 CASES PENDING. ALTHOUGH DEFENDERS OF THE DEPARTMENT CLAIM BRUTALITY CHARGES ARE 'MEDIA-GENERATED', EVIDENCE TO THE CONTRARY IS CONVINCING. PHOTOGRAPHS ARE INCLUDED. (LWM)