NCJ Number
153643
Journal
MIS Report Volume: 24 Issue: 8 Dated: (August 1992) Pages: complete issue
Date Published
1992
Length
15 pages
Annotation
Research data covering a 15-year period and 12 jurisdictions throughout the United States forms the basis of this evaluation of the operations of three types of police review systems (internal review, civilian review, and the civilian monitor model) and suggestions for smaller jurisdictions.
Abstract
The criteria used to compare review systems were integrity, legitimacy, learning, and cost. Findings revealed that civilian review is not abusive of police officers or police agencies. In fact, civilian review is too lenient with police due to its distance from the experience of the police officer and the extensive due-process rights that civilian review offers police officers. In addition, the cost of civilian review can be prohibitive in times of fiscal conservatism. However, civilian review can create greater community acceptance than internal review usually does, and it can be accomplished effectively if care is taken to consider the issues involved calmly rather than in a crisis atmosphere. Therefore, local government managers must open discussions of civilianization quietly, research how similar jurisdictions handle the problem, and include various interest groups in the process. Figures, case studies, and list of 13 additional readings