POLICE EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATIONS AND ACCOUNTABILITY PROCEDURES IN THREE CITIES - SOME REFLECTIONS ON POLICE POLICY-MAKING

• NCJ Number: 15740
• Journal: Law and Society Review Volume: 8 Issue: 4 Dated: (SUMMER 1974) Pages: 561-582
• Author(s): S C HALPERN
• Date Published: 1974
• Length: 22 pages
• Corporate Author: Law and Society Assoc
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

DISCUSSION OF THE IMPACT POLICE EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATIONS HAVE HAD ON TWO METHODS OF ATTEMPTED REGULATION OF THE POLICE - INTERNAL DEPARTMENTAL REVIEW BOARDS.

Abstract

THIS ARTICLE DESCRIBES THE BEGINNINGS OF IDENTIFIABLE INFLUENCE BY POLICE ASSOCIATIONS IN AFFECTING THE NATURE OF CIVILIAN ACCOUNTABILITY PROCEDURES AND IN WINNING INTERNAL DISCIPLINARY REFORMS. CASE STUDIES OF THE EXPERIENCES OF THE PHILADELPHIA, BALTIMORE, AND BUFFALO POLICE DEPARTMENTS SHOW HOW POLICE ASSOCIATIONS, BY COOPERATING WITH COMMISSIONERS, HAVE HELPED TO DEFEAT OR FORESTALL PROPOSALS FOR CIVILIAN REVIEW BOARDS AND HAVE OPPOSED OTHER CIVILIAN ACCOUNTABILITY SCHEMES. THE AUTHOR POINTS OUT HOW, THROUGH THEIR ACCESS TO DEPARTMENTAL HEARINGS, EMPLOYEE ASSOCIATIONS HAVE INCREASED THE COST TO ADMINISTRATORS OF INITIATING DISCIPLINARY ACTION AND HAVE CAST DOUBT ON THE OBJECTIVITY AND INDEPENDENCE OF THAT PROCESS. THE RESULT, HE CONCLUDES, HAS BEEN TO FURTHER INSULATE AND ISOLATE LINE OFFICERS FROM INDEPENDENT REVIEW BY BOTH CIVILIAN AUTHORITY AND POLICE SUPERVISORS.