POLICE CHIEFS' ATTITUDES TOWARD FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION IN LAW ENFORCEMENT

• NCJ Number: 39999
• Journal: WESTERN SPEECH COMMUNICATION Dated: (FALL 1976) Pages: 268-277
• Author(s): T R CHEATHAM; K V ERICKSON; C R HAGGARD
• Date Published: 1976
• Length: 12 pages
• Corporate Author: Portland State University
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

SURVEY INDICATES THE ATTITUDES POLICE CHIEFS HAVE TOWARD FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION FOR POLICE OFFICERS, AND THE SANCTIONS, IF ANY, PLACED UPON CERTAIN POLICE EXPRESSION BEHAVIORS.

Abstract

SEVENTEEN HUNDRED ACTIVE CHIEFS OF POLICE WERE QUERIED FOR THIS STUDY. FIVE HUNDRED FIFTY-FOUR RESPONDED. THE POLICE CHIEFS WERE ASKED SUCH QUESTIONS AS SHOULD POLICE OFFICERS HAVE THE RIGHT TO CHALLENGE AN ASSIGNMENT OR ORDER, SHOULD A POLICE OFFICER BE ALLOWED TO PUBLICLY EXPRESS HIS POLITICAL OPINIONS, AND SHOULD POLICE OFFICERS BE ALLOWED TO WEAR THEIR HAIR ANY LENGTH THEY DESIRE. FOURTEEN SUCH QUESTIONS WERE ASKED. ALSO ASKED WERE 14 QUESTIONS ON VARIOUS SITUATIONS. SOME OF THESE INCLUDED WHETHER SANCTIONS SHOULD BE TAKEN AGAINST A POLICE OFFICER FOR GOING ON STRIKE, BELONGING TO A POLICE UNION, OR FOR CRITICIZING A SUPERIOR OR AN ORDER....BS