POLITICAL ACTIVITY BY POLICEMEN (FROM COLLECTIVE BARGAINING IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR - SELECTED READINGS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT, 1977 BY RICHARD M. AYRES AND THOMAS L. WHEELEN - SEE NCJ-42575)

• NCJ Number: 42583
• Author(s): ANON
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 11 pages
• Corporate Author: International Assoc of Chiefs of Police
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS. FROM THE URBAN POLICE FUNCTION (NEW YORK: AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION, 1973), PP 174-185

Annotation

BECAUSE INCREASING NUMBERS OF POLICE OFFICERS ARE BECOMING INVOLVED IN POLITICS, THE COMMENTARY ASSERTS THE NEED FOR POLICE ADMINISTRATORS TO FORMULATE POLICIES GOVERNING THESE AND OTHER FIRST AMENDMENT ACTIVITIES.

Abstract

IT IS OBSERVED THAT POLICEMEN SHARE THE INDIVIDUAL RIGHT TO ENGAGE IN POLITICAL AND OTHER PROTECTED FIRST AMENDMENT ACTIVITIES. HOWEVER, THE AUTHOR BELIEVES THAT POLICE SHOULD NOT USE THEIR AUTHORITY OR THE INDICIA OF OFFICE, SUCH AS THE UNIFORM, FOR THIS PURPOSE BECAUSE OF ITS INHERENTLY COERCIVE NATURE. IT IS FURTHER POINTED OUT THAT POLICE OFFICERS SHOULD NOT ENGAGE IN COLLECTIVE POLITICAL ACTIVITY WHICH COMPRISES THEIR ABILITY TO VIEW OBJECTIVELY CONFLICTS WITH WHICH THEY MAY BE CALLED UPON TO DEAL. THE COMMENTARY CONCLUDES THAT SINCE THERE IS CONSIDERABLE NEED FOR DEVELOPMENT OF MODEL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES RELATING TO FIRST AMENDMENT ACTIVITIES OF POLICE PERSONNEL, A PROJECT TO FORMULATE GUIDELINES FOR THE CONSIDERATION OF POLICE AGENCIES NATIONALLY SHOULD BE UNDERTAKEN. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)...KAP