NCJ Number
52130
Journal
ENGAGE/SOCIAL ACTION, (NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 1978) Pages: 15-17
Date Published
1978
Length
3 pages
Annotation
BECAUSE OF INCREASING NUMBERS OF COMPLAINTS FROM CIVIL RIGHTS GROUPS AND INDIVIDUALS FROM ACROSS THE NATION, THE U.S. COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS IS INVESTIGATING POLICE PRACTICES. PURPOSES OF THE STUDY ARE EXPLAINED.
Abstract
COMPLAINTS ABOUT POLICE BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF THE COMMISSION RANGE FROM ALLEGATIONS OF VERBAL ABUSE, TO THE USE OF PHYSICAL FORCE, AND UNWARRANTED USE OF DEADLY FORCE. THE CIVIL RIGHTS DIVISION OF THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT EMPLOYS 14 ATTORNEYS TO HANDLE JUST POLICE MISCONDUCT COMPLAINTS. REASONS WHY STATE AND LOCAL PROSECUTORS ARE OFTEN RELUCTANT TO INTERVENE IN SUCH COMPLAINTS ARE REVIEWED. THE PROPOSED CIVIL RIGHTS COMMISSION INVESTIGATION WILL FOCUS ON POLICE DEPARTMENTS AS INSTITUTIONS, AND ATTEMPT TO IDENTIFY THE MECHANISMS THAT ENCOURAGE OR DISCOURAGE MISCONDUCT. THE ASSUMPTIONS BEHIND THE PROJECT ARE: THAT POLICE OFFICERS WILL BE CAREFUL OF CITIZEN RIGHTS IF THEY BELIEVE THEY WILL BE SUBJECT TO ADMINISTRATIVE SANCTIONS FOR VIOLATING DEPARTMENT POLICY AND TO PROSECUTION FOR VIOLATIONS OF STATE OR FEDERAL STATUTES, AND THAT LOCAL GOVERNMENTAL AND POLICE OFFICIALS WILL INSTITUTE AND ENFORCE DEPARTMENTAL POLICIES THAT PROTECT THE RIGHTS OF CITIZENS IF THEY CAN BE HELD LEGALLY ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE ACTIONS OF THEIR SUBORDINATES. PROCEDURES FOR THE HEARINGS ARE BRIEFLY DESCRIBED. A SIDEBAR CONTAINS STATISTICS ON RATIOS OF BLACK MALES KILLED BY POLICE OFFICERS WHICH WERE GATHERED BY THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF BLACK LAWYERS. (GLR)