NCJ Number
50835
Journal
Journal of Police Science and Administration Volume: 6 Issue: 3 Dated: (SEPTEMBER 1978) Pages: 273-282
Date Published
1978
Length
10 pages
Annotation
THIS OVERVIEW DISCUSSES THE COMPLEXITIES OF DEPARTMENTAL VERSUS COMMUNITY CONTROL OF POLICE AFFAIRS, BRIEFLY SUMMARIZES A SYMPOSIUM ON THE SUBJECT, AND GIVES RESULTS OF A QUESTIONNAIRE ON CORRUPTION CONTROL.
Abstract
THE HISTORY OF GREATER POLICE PROFESSIONALISM AND THE CONCURRENT MOVE TO FREE POLICE FROM COMMUNITY AND POLITICAL INTERFERENCE IS EXAMINED. A QUESTIONNAIRE WAS DEVELOPED FROM ISSUES RAISED DURING A SYMPOSIUM ON THE SUBJECT SPONSORED BY THE AMERICAN ACADEMY FOR PROFESSIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT (WASHINGTON, D.C., JANUARY 1975). RESPONSES RECEIVED FROM 53 EAST COAST AND 75 WEST COAST POLICE ADMINISTRATORS FOUND THAT BOTH GROUPS FELT THE NEWS MEDIA ENGAGE IN 'JOURNALISTIC OVERKILL' IN INVESTIGATIONS OF POLICE CORRUPTION. HALF OF BOTH SAMPLES ENDORSED THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION MODEL OF QUIET INTERNAL CORRUPTION INVESTIGATIONS WITHOUT PUBLICITY. HOWEVER, 81 PERCENT OF THE EAST COAST SAMPLE, COMPARED TO 61 PERCENT OF THE WEST COAST SAMPLE, FELT THAT THE RESULTS OF SUCH INVESTIGATIONS SHOULD BE RELEASED TO THE PUBLIC. MOST OF THE ADMINISTRATORS IN BOTH GROUPS FAVORED USING POLICE UNIONS TO REDUCE CORRUPTION, BUT MANY FELT THAT THE UNIONS HAVE GENERALLY BEEN OPPOSED TO AGGRESSIVE MEASURES TAKEN TO COMBAT CORRUPTION. ENDORSEMENT OF 'INTEGRITY TESTS' WAS MIXED; 93 PERCENT FAVORED USING ANOTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY TO INVESTIGATE A DEPARTMENT; AND THE MOST FAVORED ANTICORRUPTION MEASURE WAS TIGHTER MANAGEMENT AND CONTROL. IT WAS ALSO FELT THAT DECRIMINALIZATION OF GAMBLING AND OTHER VICE CONTROL OFFENSES WOULD REDUCE CORRUPTION. THE ONLY CITIZEN CONTROL THAT RECEIVED SUPPORT WAS AN ADVISORY GROUP. IT IS CONCLUDED THAT THE CONSERVATIVE NATURE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATORS MAINTAINS POLICE POWER OVER DECISIONS IN WHICH COMMUNITY INPUT WOULD SEEM DESIRABLE. SUPPORTING DATA ARE INCLUDED. REFERENCES ARE FOOTNOTED. (GLR)