NCJ Number
139148
Date Published
1992
Length
74 pages
Annotation
This futures research study of the definition of police discipline consists of the identification of factors that impact police disciplinary procedures, a strategic plan to address the impacting factors, directions for the implementation of the strategic plan, and conclusions and recommendations.
Abstract
The study identifies five emerging trends of critical importance to the nature and structure for police discipline: a litigious society, community pressure, meet- and-confer sessions between management and police unions, confrontational discipline, and the impact of the civil service system. Five potential events that could have significant impact on the study issue are identified as the elimination of the civil service system, changes in the Police Officer's Bill of Rights, employee contracts for hiring, a limitation of a city's tort liability in police officer misconduct cases, and the establishment of police commissions/civilian review boards. The study concludes that nothing short of full disclosure and an openness to community involvement in police policies and discipline will satisfy the public's demand for accountability or alleviate the suspicion and hostility that the community feels toward police. Seeing that the community receives the reassurance and participation it desires is the responsibility of every police officer and manager. Appended process information, forecasting data and results, graphics, 9 notes, and 37-item bibliography