NCJ Number
62070
Journal
FROM THE STATE CAPITALS (FEBRUARY 1, 1979) Pages: COMPLETE ISSUE
Date Published
1979
Length
5 pages
Annotation
NEW 1979 LEGISLATIVE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DEVELOPMENTS IN THE OPERATION OF POLICE AGENCIES AT THE STATE AND LOCAL LEVEL ARE REPORTED.
Abstract
IN INDIANA, A BILL TO ALLOW COLLECTIVE BARGAINING FOR POLICEMEN AND FIREMEN WAS INTRODUCED IN THE STATE LEGISLATURE. THE BILL SPECIFIES HOW POLICE AND FIRE UNIONS CAN BECOME RECOGNIZED BARGAINING AGENTS AND CONTAINS NO-STRIKE LANGUAGE, A PROVISION DEMANDED BY THE GOVERNOR FOR SUCH LEGISLATION. BINDING ARBITRATION AND MEDIATION IS ESTABLISHED BY THE BILL TO RESOLVE CONTRACT DISPUTES AND NEGOTIATION IMPASSES. IN NEVADA, WHERE COURT CASES HAVE RECENTLY HELD THAT ANYONE REFUSING TO SUBMIT TO A POLYGRAPH WHEN IT IS BEING USED FOR AN INTERNAL AFFAIRS-TYPE INVESTIGATION MAY BE GUILTY OF INSUBORDINATION AND THEREFORE COULD BE DISMISSED, A BILL CALLED THE COP'S BILL OF RIGHTS WAS INTRODUCED IN THE LEGISLATURE. THE BILL WOULD PROTECT NEVADA LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS FROM HAVING TO SUBMIT TO POLYGRAPH TESTS, WOULD GUARANTEE CERTAIN RIGHTS OF PEACE OFFICERS DURING INVESTIGATIONS INTO THEIR ACTIVITIES, AND CONTAINS PROVISIONS WHICH WOULD PREVENT ADVERSE COMMENT FROM BEING ENTERED IN A PEACE OFFICER'S FILE UNTIL THE OFFICER HAD READ AND SIGNED THE COMPLAINT. IT ALSO PROHIBITS UNWARRANTED SEARCHES, PROVIDES THAT INTERROGATION WOULD BE STRICTLY REGULATED, THAT ACCUSED OFFICERS WOULD HAVE ACCESS TO TRANSCRIPTS OR RECORDINGS OF INTERROGATIONS, AND WOULD BE NOTIFIED IN WRITING OF PUNITIVE CHARGES. A RULING BY THE NEW JERSEY SUPREME COURT HELD THAT THE POLICE PRACTICE OF ARRESTING SOMEONE AND THEN ROUTINELY IMPOUNDING THE SUSPECT'S CAR AS A PRETEXT FOR CONDUCTING A WARRANTLESS SEARCH MUST BE CURTAILED. THE COURT SAID SUCH ACTIONS BY POLICE REPRESENTS AN UNCONSTITUTIONAL INVASION OF THE DRIVER'S ZONE OF PRIVACY. IN A MOVE TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF MINORITIES IN ITS RANKS, THE NEW YORK STATE POLICE DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED IT HAD OPENED THREE RECRUTING OFFICES IN ALBANY, ROCHESTER, AND BUFFALO AND PLANNED TO OPEN THREE IN NEW YORK CITY. OFFICERS AT THE STATE POLICE ACADEMY SAID THE ENTRANCE EXAMINATION IS BEING REVISED TO MEET FEDERAL GUIDELINES ON EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES, AND COURT ORDER REQUIRES THAT THE NEXT CLASS OF 160 RECRUITS INCLUDE NOT FEWER THAN 40 BLACKS AND HISPANICS AND 24 WOMEN. (MJW)