NCJ Number
58321
Date Published
1977
Length
143 pages
Annotation
THE PURPOSE OF THIS 1977 PUBLIC HEARING BEFORE THE U.S. COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS WAS TO IMPROVE POLICE-COMMUNITY RELATIONS IN MEMPHIS, TENN.
Abstract
WITNESSES WHO PRESENTED TESTIMONY AT THE HEARING INCLUDED REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF COLORED PEOPLE, THE AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION, A COUNTY LEGAL SERVICES ASSOCIATION, PUBLIC DEFENDER OFFICES, THE MEMPHIS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, A BROADCASTING ASSOCIATION, A COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION, THE NATIONAL BAR ASSOCIATION, ATTORNEY AND DISTRICT ATTORNEY OFFICES, THE MEMPHIS POLICE DEPARTMENT, THE MEMPHIS POLICE ASSOCIATION, THE MEMPHIS CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION, AND GOVERNMENTAL DEPARTMENTS IN THE CITY OF MEMPHIS. TESTIMONY DEALT WITH CIVIL RIGHTS COMPLAINTS BROUGHT AGAINST POLICEMEN, THE REPRESENTATION OF BLACKS IN THE CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT, BEATINGS IN THE CITY JAIL, POLICE BRUTALITY, PROCEDURES FOR HANDLING COMPLAINTS, COMMUNITY ATTITUDES TOWARD CRIMINALS, THE APPROPRIATENESS OF CRIMINAL CHARGES AND CASES WHERE CHARGES ARE DISMISSED, DISCRETIONARY FUNDS AVAILABLE TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT THROUGH LEAA, AND THE FULFILLMENT OF OBLIGATIONS BY THE LEGAL COMMUNITY IN MEMPHIS IN TERMS OF ALLEGATIONS AGAINST THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. OTHER TOPICS ADDRESSED INCLUDE THE ATTITUDES OF BLACKS WHO DO NOT ALWAYS VIEW THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AS SIMPLY A LAW AND ORDER ORGANIZATION, THE ROLE OF COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS IN IMPROVING CITIZEN ATTITUDES TOWARD THE POLICE, MEDIA COVERAGE OF COMPLAINTS AGAINST THE POLICE, INVESTIGATION AND PROSECUTION OF CHARGES ALLEGING POLICE ABUSE OF POWER, RIGHTS OF BOTH POLICE OFFICERS AND CITIZENS, POLYGRAPH TESTS, PERSONNEL SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT, POLICE DISCIPLINE, EMPLOYMENT AND PROMOTION GUIDELINES AND TESTS FOR CITY EMPLOYEES, POLICE TRAINING, LAW ENFORCEMENT, BEHAVIORAL AND ATTITUDINAL CHANGES, AND MORAL ISSUES IN POLICE-COMMUNITY RELATIONS. (DEP)