NCJ Number
16659
Journal
Temple Law Quarterly Volume: 48 Issue: 1 Dated: (FALL 1974) Pages: 89-125
Date Published
1974
Length
37 pages
Annotation
EXAMINES THE COPPAR-GOODE CASE IN PENNSYLVANIA REGARDING POLICE MISCONDUCT, EXPLORES THE VOLATILE DYNAMICS OF POLICE INTERACTION WITH BLACKS AND PRESENTS SEVERAL MODELS FOR HANDLING CITIZEN COMPLAINTS AGAINST POLICE.
Abstract
THE JUDGE IN THE COPPAR-GOODE CASE POINTED OUT WHAT HE DEEMED TO BE DEFECTS IN THE EXISTING COMPLAINT PROCEDURE PROVIDED FOR CITIZENS. GRIEVANCES HANDLED WITH IN THE REGULAR CHAIN OF COMMAND OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT IWTHOUT OPPORTUNITY FOR THE CIVILIAN COMPLAINANT TO PRESENT HIS CASE WAS CONSIDERED AN INADEQUATE SYSTEM. GUIDELINES FOR AN ACCEPTABLE REVIEW SYSTEM WERE PRESENTED IN THE JUDGE'S DECISION. THE GUIDELINES INCLUDED READY AVAILABILITY OF FORMS FOR USE BY CIVILIANS, A SCREENING PROCEDURE TO ELIMINATE FRIVILOUS COMPLAINTS, ADJUDICATION OF SERIOUS COMPLAINTS BY AN IMPARITAL PERSON OR BODY, AND PROMPT NOTIFICATION OF THE OUTCOME TO THE CONCERNED PARTIES. THE DYNAMICS OF MINORITY-POLICE INTERACTION ARE SEEN AS PRONE TO CONFLICT BECAUSE OF THE SELF-IMAGES AND BACKGROUNDS GENERALLY CHARACTERISTIC OF NONENFORCEMENT CONTACT IS RECOMMENDED. THE PROS AND CONS OF AN ALL-POLICE OR ALL-CIVILIAN REVIEW BOARD ARE DISCUSSED AND TWO MODELS OF A JOINT CIVILIAN-POLICE BOARD ARE PRESENTED WITH AN ANALYSIS OF THE OPINIONS OF POLICE AND CIVILIAN ORGANIZATION REGARDING THE MODELS.