NCJ Number
34673
Date Published
1976
Length
110 pages
Annotation
THE LEGAL LIAISON DIVISION PROVIDES TRAINING AND LEGAL COUNSEL TO STAFF-LEVEL POLICE OFFICERS AND INVESTIGATORS IN ORDER TO PREVENT AND CORRECT POLICE LEGAL ERROR, AND TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF CASES REJECTED OR DISMISSED.
Abstract
THE DALLAS PROGRAM AND THE PARTICULAR TYPE OF LEGAL ADVISOR EFFORT IT REPRESENTS--CENTERING ON PRACTICAL ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING FOR LINE INVESTIGATORS AND OFFICERS--ARE THE SUBJECTS OF THIS DOCUMENT. THIS MANUAL IS WRITTEN PRIMARILY FOR POLICE ADMINISTRATORS, PLANNERS AND OTHERS IN A POSITION TO CONSIDER THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A POLICE LEGAL ADVISOR PROGRAM IN THEIR JURISDICTIONS. THE DALLAS PROGRAM IS DESCRIBED IN SOME DETAIL; ITS STRENGTHS AND ITS WEAKNESSES ARE POINTED OUT. AN ATTEMPT IS MADE TO DRAW FROM THE DALLAS EXPERIENCE AND OTHER SOURCES TO PROVIDE AS MUCH GUIDANCE AS POSSIBLE TO OTHER DEPARTMENTS. CLEARLY THIS DOCUMENT IS NOT THE LAST WORD ON THE PROVISION OF LEGAL SERVICES TO POLICE. WHAT IT DOES CONTAIN IS A DISCUSSION, BASED ON ONE EXAMPLE, OF ONE APPROACH TO THE LEGAL NEEDS OF POLICE--THE PROVISION OF LEGAL TRAINING, ADVICE, AND CASE DOCUMENT REVIEW FOR ALL LINE OFFICERS IN A MODERATE TO LARGE-SIZED LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY. THE PRECISE APPROACH TAKEN IN DALLAS MAY NOT BE THE BEST FOR ANY GIVEN DEPARTMENT; BUT, ON CAREFUL EXAMINATION, MUCH MAY BE LEARNED FROM THE DALLAS EXPERIENCE WHICH CAN BE ADAPTED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF OTHER DEPARTMENTS. THE FIRST CHAPTER SUMMARIZES THE OPERATIONS AND RESULTS OF THE DALLAS PROGRAM. SUCCEEDING CHAPTERS DISCUSS THE DEVELOPMENT AND APPROACH OF THE DALLAS PROGRAM IN GREATER DETAIL--ITS ADMINISTRATION, THE TYPES OF SERVICES PROVIDED TO THE DALLAS POLICE DEPARTMENT, THE COSTS OF THOSE SERVICES, AND THE PROJECT'S MONITORING AND EVALUATION SYSTEMS. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT) (SNI ABSTRACT)