NCJ Number
69489
Editor(s)
S E JAMES
Date Published
1980
Length
29 pages
Annotation
THIS REPORT CHRONICLES THE ATTEMPT OF THE CITY OF SAN JOSE (CALIF.) TO IMPROVE POLICE-COMMUNITY RELATIONS AND SUMMARIZES THE 3-YEAR STUDY OF SAN JOSE'S POLICE-COMMUNITY RELATIONS BY THE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION.
Abstract
IN 1976, SAN JOSE MINORITY COMMUNITY REPRESENTATIVES ALLEGED THAT LAW OFFICERS USED ABUSIVE AND THREATENING LANGUAGE, THREATS OF ARREST IF INDIVIDUALS COMPLAINED, AND DEADLY FORCE. OFTEN THE VICTIMS WERE THE CITY'S MINORITIES. FOLLOWING A REQUEST FROM CITY OFFICIALS, STAFF OF THE WEST REGIONAL OFFICE OF THE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION MONITORED POLICE-COMMUNITY RELATIONS BEGINNING IN 1976. STAFF INTERVIEWED CITY AND LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS, CLERGY, REPRESENTATIVES OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE AGENCIES, POLICE OFFICERS, ATTORNEYS, AND MINORITY COMMUNITY REPRESENTATIVES. BECAUSE OF THE ACTIONS OF CONCERNED CITY OFFICIALS AND COMMUNITY REPRESENTATIVES, A CHANGE IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT MANAGEMENT WAS EFFECTED AND CONSTRUCTIVE CHANGE ACCELERATED. A RECOGNIZABLE AND DEFINABLE POLICE-COMMUNITY RELATIONS PROGRAM WAS INSTITUTED AND ADMINISTRATIVE EMPHASIS WAS PLACED ON POLICE COURTESY AND PROFESSIONAL SERVICE. THE EFFECTS OF CHANGE WERE EVIDENT IN 1979. THE LEVEL OF FEAR, MISTRUST, AND HOSTILITY TOWARD THE POLICE WAS SUBSTANTIALLY LOWER THAN THAT IN 1976. COMPLAINTS OF ABUSE BY POLICE ALSO DECREASED. ALTHOUGH INCIDENTS OF ABUSE ARE STILL REPORTED, OVERALL MINORITY COMMUNITY RELATIONS WITH POLICE HAVE IMPROVED. THUS EMPHASIS ON PROFESSIONAL SERVICE HAS PROVIDED THE FOUNDATION FOR AN EFFECTIVE POLICE-COMMUNITY RELATIONS PROGRAM IN SAN JOSE AND DEMONSTRATES TO OTHER COMMUNITIES THE VALUE OF DEVELOPING EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP AND MAINTAINING OPEN LINES OF COMMUNICATION. FOOTNOTES ACCOMPANY THE REPORT.