NCJ Number
66571
Editor(s)
A KOHN
Date Published
1953
Length
135 pages
Annotation
THIS REVISION OF A PROGRESS REPORT BY THE EMERGENCY CRIME COMMITTEE (CHICAGO) OF 1952 EXPOSES ORGANIZED CRIME AND GOVERNMENT CORRUPTION AND MAKES RECOMMENDATIONS FOR LEGISLATIVE AND ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES.
Abstract
THIS SIXTH VOLUME OF THE REPORT DELINEATES SOME OF THE SYMTOMS AND SOURCES OF SUBSTANDARD LAW ENFOREMENT, BOTH AS CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF CRIMINAL-POLITICAL COLLUSION. THE 'SYNDICATE' IN CHICAGO IS A HIGHLY DEVELOPED FORM OF ORGANIZED CRIME, MADE POSSIBLE BY LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN ACTION. AMONG THE SERIOUS PROBLEMS FACING CHICAGO POLICE ARE THE DEMORALIZATION OF THE POLICE FORCE AND CRIMINALITY AMONG THE POLICE (EXTORTION, ACCEPTING BRIBES, 'SHAKING DOWN' DRUG PEDDLERS WITHOUT MAKING ARRESTS, HARASSING PRIVATE CITIZENS ON THE BEHALF OF HOODLUMS, AND CREATING FALSE RECORDS). IN A LENGTHY WRITTEN STATEMENT, A POLICEMAN DETAILS SUCH PROBLEMS AS BRIBERY, LACK OF PROMOTIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR CAREER POLICEMEN, BOREDOM ON DUTY, ADMINISTRATIVE UNFAIRNESS, FLAGRANT VIOLATIONS OF RULES BY POLICE, AND 'THIRD DEGREE' BRUTALITY. BOTH THE HOMICIDE BUREAU AND THE NARCOTICS BUREAU FAILED TO MEET STANDARDS NECESSARY FOR EFFECTIVE CRIME CONTROL. OFFICIALS AND EMPLOYEES OF CHICAGO FLAGRANTLY DISREGARDED THE LAW IN THEIR ADMINISTRATION OF TAVERN REGULATIONS. CRIMINALS AND MURDERERS WERE BUILDING EMPIRES ON PROFITS FROM GAMBLING. THE REPORT CALLS FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF A NEW POLICE COMMISSIONER. SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS ARE MADE FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT IN SUCH AREAS AS THE SIZE OF THE FORCE, EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS, PROMOTIONS, SALARIES, WORKING HOURS, AND POLICE TRAINING. OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS CALL FOR A COMMUNITY INFORMATION AND INSPECTION UNIT IN CITY HALL, THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A COMMITTEE ON POLITICAL ETHICS, THE ENACTMENT OF STATE LAWS TO INVESTIGATE THE RECORDS OF ASPIRANTS TO POLITICAL OFFICE, AND PUNISHMENT OF PUBLIC OFFICIALS WHO KNOWINGLY MAKE FALSE STATEMENTS WITH THE INTENTION OF MISLEADING OR CONFUSING THE VOTING PUBLIC. ILLUSTRATIONS, EDITORIAL CARTOONS, AND A LIST OF 46 RELATED PUBLICATIONS ARE PROVIDED. THE COMMITTEE'S PROGRESS REPORT IS APPENDED. (MFE)