NCJ Number
1800
Date Published
1969
Length
298 pages
Annotation
A STUDY OF POLICE ABUSES IN NEW YORK CITY DURING 1966 AND 1967.
Abstract
THE ABUSE OF POLICE POWER IS A SOCIAL PROBLEM THAT MUST BE SO RECOGNIZED BEFORE ANALYSIS OF IT CAN BE MATERIALLY SIGNIFICANT TO THE SOCIETAL ILLNESS CAUSED BY SUCH ABUSES. TOO FEW MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY RECOGNIZE THAT POLICE ABUSES OF POWER EXIST. THE AUTHOR SHOWED THAT AN ALLEGED ABUSE ACTUALLY OCCURRED AND INDICATED WHAT, IF ANYTHING WAS DONE ABOUT IT. THE AUTHOR'S CRITICISM INCLUDED THE USE OF, AND UNABIDING CONFIDENCE IN, POLICE PERSONNEL WITNESSES. AS A VEHICLE FOR HIS PURPOSE, THE AUTHOR USED THE NYCPD AND ACTUAL CASES ON WHICH HE WORKED OR RECORDED CASES FROM THE FILES OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. THE BOOK IS MORE CONCERNED WITH ESTABLISHING JUSTICE IN THE FUTURE THAN IN CONDEMNING THE POLICE IN THE PRESENT.