NCJ Number
63951
Date Published
1979
Length
56 pages
Annotation
THE FORMAT AND PARTICIPANT MATERIALS ARE PRESENTED FOR A NOVEMBER 1979 SYMPOSIUM ON TEXAS POLICE-COMMUNITY RELATIONS. SYMPOSIUM EMPHASIS WAS ON IMPROVING POLICE RELATIONS WITH THE HISPANIC COMMUNITY IN TEXAS.
Abstract
AREAS COVERED BY SPEAKERS/PANELISTS AND WORKSHOPS WERE POLICE SELECTION AND TRAINING, COMPLAINT PROCESSING AND INTERNAL INVESTIGATION, USE AND CONTROL OF EXCESSIVE FORCE, AND THE ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITY OF THE MEDIA. SELECTION AND TRAINING ISSUES COVERED IN THE MATERIAL ARE PROCEDURES FOR SCREENING OUT LAW ENFORCEMENT APPLICANTS PRONE TO VIOLENCE UNDER STRESS OR HAVING RACIAL BIASES LIKELY TO HAMPER POSITIVE INTERACTION WITH MINORITY GROUPS IN THE COMMUNITY. THE ADEQUACY OF HUMAN RELATIONS TRAINING FOR POLICE IS ALSO RAISED AS A SYMPOSIUM ISSUE. ISSUES ASSOCIATED WITH THE COMPLAINT PROCESS AND INTERNAL INVESTIGATION VIS-A-VIS CHARGES OF POLICE MISCONDUCT ARE IDENTIFIED. THE DEVELOPMENT OF A POLICY AND PROCEDURE THAT GIVES OPPORTUNITY FOR CITIZENS TO RESOLVE GRIEVANCES AGAINST THE POLICE WHILE PROTECTING OFFICERS FROM THE CONSEQUENCES OF UNFOUNDED CHARGES IS SUGGESTED AS A SYMPOSIM TOPIC. THE ELEMENTS OF A SOUND DEPARTMENTAL POLICY FOR THE USE AND CONTROL OF EXCESSIVE FORCE BY POLICE ARE ALSO SUGGESTED FOR SYMPOSIUM DISCUSSIONS. THE ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITY OF THE MEDIA IN DEALING WITH POLICE-CITIZEN CONFLICTS ARE GIVEN PROMINENCE IN SYMPOSIUM DISCUSSIONS BECAUSE OF THE BELIEF THAT THE MEDIA HAS THE POTENTIAL TO AGGRAVATE OR HELP RESOLVE SUCH CONFLICTS. COMMUNICATIONS, PRESENTATIONS, AND ARTICLES DEALING WITH SYMPOSIUM ISSUES ARE INCLUDED TO STIMULATE PARTICIPANT CONSIDERATION OF THEM. (RCB)