NCJ Number
162377
Date Published
1995
Length
38 pages
Annotation
The author draws upon his experiences in working with the criminal justice systems of Guatemala, South Africa, Colombia, and Russia and in visiting criminal justice institutions in many other countries to comment on the principles of democratic policing.
Abstract
The paper first describes two types of democracy -- "weak" and "strong" in the strength of support for popular rule -- and two types of criminal justice systems -- "weak" and "strong" in their ability to handle crimes committed by the powerful. Guatemala is described as a weak democracy, because there always seems to be an authoritarian alternative waiting in the wings to challenge a new democracy. The electoral threat to democracy is the one that has characterized Russia and would threaten important nations in the Middle East. A new democracy may be weak because of corruption or incompetence, and it may be so pervasive that the electorate is likely to choose an altogether different form of government in the hope of finding efficiency and honesty. After reviewing the characteristics of weak and strong democracies, the author discusses how the type of democracy a country has is influenced by the type of criminal justice system a nation pursues. Policing and, more broadly, the law enforcement system, have a crucial role in building and maintaining the sense of effectiveness and fairness on which loyalty to democratic institutions depends. When a democracy is unable to provide protection against the predatory activities of other citizens, the call for authoritarian alternatives increases. This is much of the basis for the popularity of General Rios Montt in Guatemala, and it is much of the argument for a return to more authoritarian regimes of the right or left in Russia. Even in South Africa, where democracy has widespread respect and an extraordinary leader, an inability to control street crime was the number one issue in the recent municipal elections. Finally, the paper discusses what outsiders, such as the United States, can do to help develop an effective and strong criminal justice system and thus a strong democracy in another country. Four strategies are outlined: financing for needed human and material resources; technical advice; hope and energy for a system that has no direction; and international and domestic pressure on local elected leaders and, where necessary, military leaders. Appended discussion of the provision of advice across law enforcement cultures