PRIOR ARREST RECORD AND POLICE PERFORMANCE - TESTIMONY BEFORE THE CITY OF NEW YORK COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS

• NCJ Number: 12219
• Author(s): B COHEN
• Date Published: 1972
• Length: 6 pages
• Sale Source: New York City-Rand Institute

Annotation

A PREVIOUS ARREST HISTORY FOR A PETTY CRIME HAS VIRTUALLY NO BEARING ON THE LATER JOB PERFORMANCE OF NEARLY 2000 POLICE OFFICERS APPOINTED IN NEW YORK IN 1957.

Abstract

ARREST HISTORY WAS NOT FOUND TO BE SIGNIFICANTLY RELATED TO PERFORMANCE VARIABLES SUCH AS CAREER ADVANCEMENT THROUGH CIVIL SERVICE, PROMOTION OR APPOINTMENT TO THE DETECTIVE DIVISION, THE INCIDENCE OF ABSENTEEISM, INJURY DISAPPROVALS, REMOVAL OF FIREARMS FOR CAUSE, OR TERMINATION FROM THE DEPARTMENT. IN PARTICULAR THERE WAS NO ASSOCIATION BETWEEN AN EARLY ARREST RECORD AND LATER ALLEGATIONS OF CORRUPTION OR OTHER FORMS OF CRIMINAL MISCONDUCT, DEPARTMENTAL DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS OR CIVILIAN COMPLAINTS INCLUDING THE USE OF UNNECESSARY FORCE. IN ADDITION, OFFICERS WHO HAD THEMSELVES BEEN ARRESTED WERE SIGNIFICANTLY MORE CAREFUL IN GUARDING THE RIGHTS OF PERSONS THEY ARRESTED.