NCJ Number
63730
Date Published
1979
Length
10 pages
Annotation
METHODS TO ENSURE PROPER EXERCISE OF POLICE POWER, AND THE SETTING OF STANDARDS OF CONDUCT ARE EXAMINED, INCLUDING THE USE OF THE INTERNAL AFFAIRS UNIT.
Abstract
DEMANDS BY THE PUBLIC AND THE NEWS MEDIA HAVE FORCED A CLOSER LOOK AT STANDARDS OF POLICE CONDUCT INCLUDING POLICE ETHICS, ABUSE OF CIVIL RIGHTS, THE USE OF EXCESSIVE FORCE, AND OVERT BRUTALITY. THIS ESSAY ABOUT HOW POLICE DISCIPLINE CAN BEST BE MANAGED, DESCRIBES THE POLICE SUBCULTURE, ATTITUDES IN TRAINING, AND TRADITIONAL METHODS OF MANAGEMENT. ONE FORM OF DISCIPLINE MANAGEMENT IS THE CHAIN-OF-COMMAND SYSTEM, WHICH EMPLOYS LINE SUPERVISORS TO HEAR, INVESTIGATE, AND ADJUDICATE COMPLAINTS AGAINST POLICE OFFICERS. IT HAS THE ADVANTAGE OF COMPLETE INTEGRATION WITH THE SUBCULTURE, SINCE THE SUPERVISORS ARE PART OF THE SUBCULTURE. THE SUCCESS OF THIS FORM OF DISCIPLINE MANAGEMENT DEPENDS ON THE LEADERSHIP QUALITIES AND RELIABILITY OF THE SUPERVISORS. NEW METHODS OF DISCIPLINE MANAGEMENT INCLUDE THE USE OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS UNITS AND CIVILIAN REVIEW BOARDS. THE INTERNAL AFFAIRS UNIT IS AN IN-HOUSE REFORM WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS INVESTIGATING DISCIPLINARY PROBLEMS WITHIN THEIR OWN UNITS. EXTERNAL CONTROL OF POLICE DISCIPLINE MANAGEMENT HAS MET WITH OPEN REJECTION AND HOSTILITY BECAUSE MEMBERS OF CIVILIAN REVIEW BOARDS ARE ALWAYS PERCEIVED TO BE OUTSIDERS. THE ARTICLE STRESSES THE NEED FOR CAREFUL EVALUATION OF ALL SYSTEMS, ESPECIALLY BECAUSE NONE HAS SOLVED THE PROBLEM OF POLICE MISMANAGEMENT. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS AND NOTES ARE INCLUDED. (RFC)