NCJ Number
63949
Date Published
1979
Length
63 pages
Annotation
MATERIALS ON THE POLICE USE OF FIREARMS AND THE HANDLING OF CITIZEN GRIEVANCES AGAINST POLICE ARE PRESENTED FOR PARTICIPANTS IN A SYMPOSIUM ON CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN TEXAS POLICE-COMMUNITY RELATIONS.
Abstract
THE PURPOSES OF THE SYMPOSIUM WERE TO PROMOTE OPEN DISCUSSION AND IDENTIFY COMMON GOALS AMONG LAW ENFORCEMENT EXECUTIVES AND HISPANIC LEADERSHIP IN SOUTH TEXAS AND TO EXPLORE POTENTIALS FOR CONSTRUCTIVE AND COOPERATIVE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN THE TWO GROUPS REPRESENTED AT THE SYMPOSIUM. THE MATERIALS INCLUDED IN THE PARTICIPANT'S MANUAL ARE SELECTED PRESS CLIPPINGS REGARDING PREVIOUS CONFERENCES DEALING WITH TEXAS POLICE-HISPANIC RELATIONS AND WRITTEN POLICIES ON THE USE OF FIREARMS BY THE DALLAS AND SAN ANTONIO POLICE DEPARTMENTS. ARTICLES AND ADDRESSES ON THE IMPORTANCE AND THE CONTENT OF DEPARTMENTAL POLICY ON THE USE OF FIREARMS ARE ALSO INCLUDED. THE GENERAL THRUST OF THE POLICY STATEMENTS AND DISCUSSIONS IS TO LIMIT POLICE USE OF DEADLY FORCE TO CIRCUMSTANCES OF OFFICER SELF-DEFENSE AND DEFENSE OF THE LIVES OF INNOCENT CITIZENS. WHETHER AN OFFICER SHOULD FIRE AT A FLEEING PERSON KNOWN TO BE A FELON IS THE MOST CONTROVERSIAL ISSUE. THERE ARE ALSO ARTICLES ON THE USE OF MEDIATION AND THE CITIZEN COMPLAINT PROCESS VIS-A-VIS THE POLICE. (RCB)