TWO PERSPECTIVES - ONE RESOLVE - A SYMPOSIUM ON CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN TEXAS POLICE-COMMUNITY RELATIONS SUMMARY OF PRESENTATION HIGHLIGHTS AND WORKSHOP RECOMMENDATONS

• NCJ Number: 63950
• Author(s): ANON
• Date Published: 1979
• Length: 52 pages
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: HELD MARCH 23-24, 1979, SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS

Annotation

THIS REPORT SUMMARIZES THE DISCUSSIONS HELD AT A MEETING OF TEXAS LAW ENFORCEMENT EXECUTIVES WITH COMMUNITY-BASED HISPANIC ORGANIZATIONAL LEADERS IN SEARCH OF COMMON INTERESTS AND MUTUAL OBJECTIVES.

Abstract

THE POLICE, LIKE RACIAL AND ETHNIC MINORITIES, ARE OFTEN SCAPEGOATS FOR MISPLACED ANTAGONISMS AND DISTRUST, AND BOTH GROUPS SHOULD THEREORE BE ABLE TO FIND COMMON GROUNDS FOR UNDERSTANDING. THE ISSUES DISCUSSED INCLUDED (1) USE AND CONTROL OF EXCESSIVE FORCE; (2) THE COMPLAINT PROCESS AND INTERNAL INVESTIGATION; (3) POLICE SELECTION AND TRAINING; (4) ROLES FOR COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS; (5) ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITY OF THE MEDIA. EACH TOPIC IS OUTLINED FOR PRESENTATION HIGHLIGHTS, FOLLOWED BY WORKSHOP COMMENTARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS. THE NEED FOR CLEAR GUIDELINES AND WELL PUBLICIZED POLICIES REGULATING POLICE USE OF FORCE WERE STRESSED. IMPROVEMENTS ARE NEEDED IN DISCIPLINARY MEASURES FOR OFFICERS, NON-LETHAL WEAPONS TRAINING, AND THE WEEDING OUT OF UNFIT PERSONNEL. A POLICE INTERNAL AFFAIRS UNIT IS RECOMMENDED TO FACILITATE CITIZEN GOODWILL, STAFFED BY PERSONNEL WHO WILL BE RESPONSIVE TO CITIZEN COMPLAINTS. A SUMMARY OF THE OPTIONS OPEN TO CITIZENS SEEKING RECOURSE FOR ALLEGED MISTREATMENT BY POLICE SHOULD BE AVAILABLE TO THE COMMUNITY, AND ALL COMPLAINTS SHOULD RECEIVE FEEDBACK. STANDARDIZED GUIDELINES ARE NEEDED IN THESE MATTERS AS WELL. RECRUITS' VIEWS ON MINORITIES SHOULD BE CONSIDERED, AND TRAINING OFFERED ON MATTERS OF INTERGROUP SENSITIVITY, INCLUDING CULTURAL DIVERSITY, COMMUNITY ORGANIZATON LIAISON, AND SOCIAL AGENCY REFERRAL. POLICE OUTREACH, SCHOOL PROGRAMS, LIAISON PERSONS FOR ALL NEIGHBORHOOD ORGANIZATIONS, AND CITIZENS WATCH PROGRAMS ARE RECOMMENDED TO IMPROVE POLICE-COMMUNITY RELATIONS. MEDIA PERSONS PLAY A CRUCIAL ROLE AS INTERMEDIARIES BETWEEN CITIZENS AND POLICE IN HOSTILE SITUATIONS, AND SHOULD CULTIVATE FAIRNESS AND NEUTRALITY AS WELL AS CULTURAL SENSITIVITY. THE ADDENDUM CONTAINS CLIPPINGS OF THE MEETING AND SELECTED CORRESPONDENCE. (MRK)