DESCRIPTIVE PROFILE OF POLICE OPERATIONS FROM THE COURT PERSPECTIVE

• NCJ Number: 31821
• Author(s): B E FORST; J LUCIANOVIC
• Date Published: 1976
• Length: 19 pages
• Grant Number(s): 74-NI-99-0008
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Justice
• Corporate Author: INSLAW
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THIS DOCUMENT DESCRIBES PERSONAL AND OPERATIONAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE METROPOLITAN POLICE DEPARTMENT OF WASHINGTON, D.C. AND THE OUTCOMES OF CASES THEY BROUGHT TO THE SUPERIOR COURT IN 1973.

Abstract

THIS DESCRIPTIVE PROFILE IS A FIRST YEAR SUBTASK OF ONE OF THE MAJOR TOPICS OF INVESTIGATION WITHIN THE PROMIS (PROSECUTOR'S MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM) RESEARCH PROJECT. THE CHARACTERISTICS OF SWORN OFFICERS ARE FIRST EXAMINED. THESE FACTORS INCLUDE AGE, SEX, MARITAL STATUS, RESIDENCE, AND RACE. CHARACTERISTICS OF THE OFFICERS WHO MADE ARRESTS WHICH WERE BROUGHT TO SUPERIOR COURT WERE THEN COMPARED TO CHARACTERISTICS OF THE ENTIRE FORCE. IT WAS NOTED THAT 509 OFFICERS, ONLY 10.4 PERCENT OF THE FORCE, ACCOUNTED FOR OVER HALF THE ARRESTS BROUGHT TO COURT IN 1973. POSSIBLE EXPLANATIONS FOR THIS ARE EXPLORED. AN ANALYSIS IS THEN MADE OF DELAYS IN APPREHENDING DEFENDANTS, PROBLEMS RELATING TO POLICE OPERATIONS THAT ARE IDENTIFIED BY THE PROSECUTOR, AND WITNESS PROBLEMS IDENTIFIED BY THE PROSECUTOR.