NCJ Number
63464
Date Published
1978
Length
75 pages
Annotation
SIX ARTICLES RELATE TO POLICE USE OF DEADLY FORCE; THE PAPERS WERE PRESENTED DURING A WORKSHOP CONDUCTED BY THE COMMUNITY RELATIONS SERVICE AT THE 1978 ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF HUMAN RIGHTS WORKERS.
Abstract
POLICE USE OF DEADLY FORCE IS A VOLATILE COMMUNITY RELATIONS ISSUE. INCREASINGLY, MINORITY COMMUNITY GROUPS HAVE REACTED HOSTILELY TO USE OF SUCH FORCE, ALLEGING THAT POLICE PRACTICE IS A RACIALLY DISCRIMINATORY DOUBLE STANDARD OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AGAINST THEM. AN OVERVIEW OF THE HISTORY OF LAW AND PRACTICE OF POLICE USE OF DEADLY FORCE INCLUDES FACTS AND FIGURES ON INCIDENTS OF HOMICIDES BY POLICE OFFICERS IN THE UNITED STATES. THE CHAIRMAN OF ATLANTA'S MINORITY ADVISORY COUNCIL ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE COMMENTS ON ATLANTA'S EXPERIENCE IN SUCCESSFULLY REDUCING USE OF DEADLY FORCE BY ESTABLISHING GUIDELINES CONTROLLING POLICE USE OF FIREARMS. TO REDUCE SUCH USE OF DEADLY FORCE IN NEW YORK, CURRENT GUIDELINES EMPHASIZE THE VALUE OF LIFE AND DECLARE THE POLICE REVOLVER TO BE A DEVICE FOR PERSONAL PROTECTION ONLY AGAINST ATTACKS. FINALLY, SUGGESTIONS ARE GIVEN AS TO HOW COMMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS CAN OBTAIN NEEDED INFORMATION AND INFLUENCE POLICE PRACTICES BY USING ADMINISTRATIVE RULEMAKING TO CONTROL POLICE DISCRETION AND PUTTING PRESSURE ON POLICE DEPARTMENTS TO REFORM VIA THE MEDIA AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS. LISTS OF THE SPEAKERS AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS SERVICE REGIONAL OFFICES ARE GIVEN. (MJW)