NCJ Number
52355
Date Published
1978
Length
140 pages
Annotation
THE HISTORY OF BLACK POLICE OFFICERS IN NEW YORK IS EXAMINED OVER A FIVE-GENERATION PERIOD. THE EFFECT OF VARYING ECONOMIC, SOCIAL, AND POLITICAL CIRCUMSTANCES ON EXPERIENCES OF BLACK OFFICERS IS EMPHASIZED.
Abstract
THE INTENT OF THIS STUDY IS TO EXAMINE, VERIFY, AND CLASSIFY THE EXPERIENCES OF BLACK POLICE OFFICERS CATEGORIZED ACCORDING TO THE FOLLOWING GENERATIONS: (1) 1891-1910, (2) 1911-1930, (3) 1931-1950, (4) 1951-1970, AND (5) 1971-1977. EACH SUCCESSIVE GENERATION IS CHARACTERIZED BY THE INCREASING REPRESENTATION OF BLACKS IN POLICE RANKS AND THE SLOW RISE OF BLACKS INTO HIGH POSITIONS. THE PEAK OF BLACK REPRESENTATION IN THE DEPARTMENT WAS REACHED IN 1974. SINCE THEN THE NUMBER WAS REDUCED DUE TO THE FAILING CITY ECONOMY. THIS STUDY SHOWS THAT BLACK EXPERIENCES IN THE DEPARTMENT WERE AND STILL ARE, CHARACTERIZED BY BIGOTRY, UNDERREPRESENTATION, POLARIZATION, AND TOKENISM. THE DEPARTMENT FOLLOWS A DOUBLE STANDARD, ONE FOR WHITE, MALE OFFICERS AND THE OTHER FOR BLACK, MINORITY, AND FEMALE OFFICERS. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT AN AGENCY BE SET UP OUTSIDE THE POLICE DEPARTMENT TO MONITOR COMPLAINTS AND TO ESTABLISH STANDARDS. THE AGENCY SHOULD HAVE PROGRAMS FOR RECRUITING, HIRING, TRAINING, AND PLACING MINORITY OFFICERS IN NEW YORK AND FOR EVALUATING AND PROMOTING THESE PERSONNEL. A MEDICAL PROGRAM SHOULD BE DEVELOPED TO DETERMINE WHETHER OFFICERS ARE PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY FIT FOR DUTY, AND A PROGRAM FOR DEVELOPING AND USING NEW CRITERIA AND METHODS OF OBSERVING, REPORTING, AND EVALUATING PERSONNEL SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED. REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (DAG)