NCJ Number
51345
Date Published
1978
Length
19 pages
Annotation
MANY OBSTACLES TO POLICE OFFICER COLLECTIVE BARGAINING STEM FROM A LACK OF FORMAL RECOGNITION OF POLICE UNIONS. THIS PROBLEM IS DISCUSSED AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF POLICE UNIONS ARE DESCRIBED.
Abstract
PROBLEMS UNIONS ENCOUNTER IN GAINING RECOGNITION INCLUDE ANTIUNION PREJUDICE ON THE PART OF PUBLIC OFFICIALS AND THE UNCERTAIN STATUS OF CERTAIN POLICE PERSONNEL GROUPS, SUCH AS BLACK, FEMALE, AND CHICANO OFFICERS. PUBLIC HOSTILITY OR APATHY AND UNREALISTICALLY TIGHT BUDGETS PROPOSED AT THE ADMINISTRATIVE LEVEL ALSO INHIBIT ATTEMPTS TO OBTAIN CONTRACTS WITH INCREASED BENEFITS. ADDITIONAL PROBLEMS FOR UNIONS INCLUDE A LACK OF SUPPORT FROM POLICE CHIEFS, A SEEMING INCOMPATIBILITY BETWEEN UNIONISM AND POLICE PROFESSIONALISM, AND THE UNION AS IMPEDIMENT TO EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT IN SUCH AREAS AS WAGES, HOURS, AND WORKING CONDITIONS, AND IN POLICY AREAS SUCH AS NONVICTIM CRIME. DESPITE THESE OBSTACLES, POLICE UNIONS HAVE GREATLY IMPROVED THE WELFARE OF OFFICERS AND HAVE HAD AN ENORMOUS IMPACT ON POLICY. THIS HAS SERVED AS AN IMPORTANT MEANS FOR POLICE REFORM. POLICE UNIONS CAN BE EXPECTED TO INCREASE AND BE CONCERNED WITH A GREATER NUMBER OF ISSUES. EMERGING ISSUES ARE A POLICE OFFICER BILL OF RIGHTS, THE USE OF POLYGRAPH TESTS ON POLICE OFFICERS, AND INTERNAL DISCIPLINE BY TRIAL BOARDS. UNIONS ARE ALSO CONSIDERING ACTION ON FREE SPEECH, PUBLICATION OF POLICE MALPRACTICE INCIDENTS, AND PERFORMANCE EVALUATION CRITERIA. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED--DAG)