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Date: November 22, 2024 Fri
Time: 11:44 am
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Results for police behavior
118 results foundAuthor: New South Wales. Parliament. Committee on the Office of the Ombudsman Title: Report on an Inquiry Into Early Intervention Systems in the NSW Police Force, Together with Study Tour Report, Transcript of Proceedings and Minutes of Meetings. Summary: This report provides a discussion on Early Intervention Systems for the NSW Police Force. Details: Sydney: Committee on the Office of the Ombudsman and the Police Integrity Commission, 2009 Source: Year: 2009 Country: Australia URL: Shelf Number: 116194 Keywords: Early Intervention SystemsPolice Behavior |
Author: Ayres, Ian Title: A Study of Racially Disparate Outcomes in the Los Angeles Police Department Summary: This report analyzes pedestrian and motor vehicle stops of the Los Angeles Police Department over a oneyear period: July 2003 to June 2004. We find prima facie evidence that African Americans and Hispanics are overstopped, over-frisked, over-searched, and over-arrested. After controlling for violent and property crime rates in specific LAPD reporting districts, as well as a range of other variables, we find that: Per 10,000 residents, the black stop rate is 3,400 stops higher than the white stop rate, and the Hispanic stop rate is almost 360 stops higher. Relative to stopped whites, stopped blacks are 127% more likely and stopped Hispanics are 43% more likely to be frisked. Relative to stopped whites, stopped blacks are 76% more likely and stopped Hispanics are 16% more likely to be searched. Relative to stopped whites, stopped blacks are 29% more likely and stopped Hispanics are 32% more likely to be arrested. All of these disparities are statistically significant (p < .01). The findings of racial disparity are supported by ancillary analyses of investigative outcomes and officer race. We find that frisks and searches are systematically less productive when conducted on blacks and Hispanics than when conducted on whites: Frisked African Americans are 42.3% less likely to be found with a weapon than frisked whites and that frisked Hispanics are 31.8% less likely to have a weapon than frisked non-Hispanic whites. Consensual searches of blacks are 37.0% less likely to uncover weapons, 23.7% less likely to uncover drugs and 25.4% less likely to uncover anything else. Consensual searches of Hispanics similarly are 32.8% less likely to uncover weapons, 34.3% less likely to uncover drugs and 12.3% less likely to uncover anything else. It is implausible that higher frisk and search rates are justified by higher minority criminality, when these frisks and searches are substantially less likely to uncover weapons, drugs or other types of contraband. We also find that the black arrest disparity was 9 percentage points lower when the stopping officer was black than when the stopping officer was not black. Similarly, the Hispanic arrest disparity was 7 percentage points lower when the stopping officer was Hispanic than when the stopping officer was a non-Hispanic white. Taken as a whole, these results justify further investigation and corrective action. Details: Los Angeles, CA: ACLU of Southern California, 2008. 52p. Source: Year: 2008 Country: United States URL: https://www.aclusocal.org/en/study-racially-disparate-outcomes-los-angeles-police-department Shelf Number: 117110 Keywords: Police BehaviorRace/Ethnic GroupsRacial DisparitiesStop and Frisk |
Author: Mesloh, Charlie Title: Less Lethal Weapon Effectiveness, Use of Force, and Suspect & Officer Injuries: A Five-Year Analysis Summary: Law enforcement officers are legally justified to utilize force in many situations to bring suspects to justice, protect others, and for personal defense. However, police training on the use of force has no single consistent method in the United States to demonstrate the best response to subject resistance levels, even though many states and individual agencies have adopted very creative use-of-force matrices and continuums. For researchers, additional problems abound in the compilation and interpretation of the data available on police use of force. Criminal justice research has persistently demonstrated that a small percentage of police encounters with the public involve use of force. While extreme uses of force often garners media attention, lesser levels of force are used regularly by police without public notice. Research in the areas of use of force, and subsequent suspect injuries, has focused on the level of force used by the police officer and the suspect, excessive force, and officer misconduct. The literature on suspect injuries, police officer injuries, and the environmental and situational factors leading to police uses of force, is limited. This study examines use of force levels by the police and subject resistance levels in two agencies in Central Florida; the Orange County Sheriff's Office (OCSO), and the Orlando Police Department (OPD). Both agencies provided copies of force documentation pursuant to public records requests as stipulated in Florida law. While previous research on police force has focused on the rate of police force, this study examined situations that required force and the actions taken by the police and citizens during the encounter. Details: Fort Meyers, FL: Florida Gulf Coast University, Weapons & Equipment Research Institute, 2008. 104p. Source: Accesssed September 26, 2018 at: https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/224081.pdf Year: 2008 Country: United States URL: https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/224081.pdf Shelf Number: 113387 Keywords: Less than Lethal WeaponsPolice BehaviorPolice InjuriesTasersUse of Force |
Author: Ditmore, Melissa Title: Kicking Down the Door: The Use of Raids to Fight Trafficking in Persons Summary: This report summarizes the findings of a human rights documentation project to explore the impacts and effectiveness of current anti-trafficking approaches in the United States from a variety of perspectives. The data collected suggests that vice raids conducted by local law enforcement agencies are in ineffective means of locating and identifying trafficked persons. The research also reveals that vice raids and federal anti-trafficking raids are all too frequently accompanied by violations of human rights of trafficked persons and sex workers alike, and can therefore be counterproductive to the underlying goals of anti-trafficking initiatives. Details: New York: Sex Workers Project, Urban Justice Center, 2009. 74p. Source: Accessed April 17, 2018 at: http://sexworkersproject.org/downloads/swp-2009-raids-and-trafficking-report.pdf Year: 2009 Country: United States URL: http://sexworkersproject.org/downloads/swp-2009-raids-and-trafficking-report.pdf Shelf Number: 117114 Keywords: Human TraffickingLaw EnforcementPolice BehaviorProstitutionSex WorkersSexual Exploitation |
Author: Capps, Randy Title: Paying the Price: The Impact of Immigration Raids on America's Children Summary: Over the past year, Immigration and Customs Enforcement has intensified immigration enforcement activities by conducting several large-scale worksite raids across the country. From an in-depth study of three communities: Greeley, CO, Grand Island, NE and New Bedford, MA. This report details the impact of these worksite raids on the well-being of children. Thie report provides detailed recommendations to a variety of stakeholders to help mitigate the harmful effects of worksite raids on children. Details: Washington, DC: National Council of La Raza, 2007 Source: Year: 2007 Country: United States URL: Shelf Number: 115336 Keywords: Immigration LawJuvenilesLaw EnforcementPolice Behavior |
Author: Amnesty International Title: Public Security Reforms and Human Rights in Jamaica Summary: People in Jamaica's inner cities have for decades been caught between the reign of fear exercised by criminal gangs - responsible for the overwhelming majority of crime in the country - and violent policing. Police killed more people between January and May 2009 than during the same period in 2008. This bucks the trend - so far, 2009 has seen a fall in the total number of murders compared with 2008. It is widely accepted that only by addressing the root causes of the public security crisis - deprivation and exclusion in the inner cities - can there be a durable solution. Far-reaching reforms to the police and the justice system have begun. Steps have been taken to tackle corruption, and a safety and security policy is being drafted to address security and development at community level. As this report shows, these reforms have now reached a critical stage. With political will and commitment, they can help drive forward the changes needed to tackle entrenched human rights problems in the inner cities. Details: London: Amnesty International Publications, 2009 Source: Year: 2009 Country: Jamaica URL: Shelf Number: 115636 Keywords: GangsPolice BehaviorUrban Crime |
Author: Great Britain. Home Office. Research, Development and Statistics Directorate Title: An Evaluation of the Phased Implementation of the Recording of Police Stops Summary: The Stephen Lawrence Inquiry recommended that all stops (as well as searches) should be recorded by the police and a copy given to the person stopped. The recording of stops was introduced through a process of phased implementation, starting initially in five sites in England and Wales, with the aim of identifying the most effective approaches to recording. The evaluation of phased implementation drew on interviews with operational officers, police statistics, observations of patrols, costs information, and interviews with members of the public stopped by the police. This report outlines findings and learning points from the evaluation. Details: London: Home Office, 2004 Source: Home Office Development and Practice Report: 23 Year: 2004 Country: United Kingdom URL: Shelf Number: 114882 Keywords: Police BehaviorSearch and Seizures |
Author: Open Society Institute Title: Addressing Ethnic Profiling by Police: A Report on Strategies for Effective Police Stop and Search Project. Improving Relations Between Police and Minority Communitites by Increasing the Fairness, Effectiveness, and Accountability in Stops in Bulgaria, Hu Summary: Every day, police in Europe make hundreds of decisions about whom to stop and search. The power to stop and search is a basic tool of policing and stops are the primary point of contact with police for most people, but their impact and effectiveness are rarely examined. Stops and searches can help detect crime, but can also entail ethnic profiling and damage police-community relations if members of minority groups are stopped disproportionately. This book describes how selected police forces in Bulgaria, Hungary, and Spain worked with the Open Society Institute to monitor the use of stops, determine if they disproportionately affect minority groups, and assess their efficacy in detecting and solving crime. The ultimate goal of the Strategies for Effective Police Stop and Search (STEPSS) project was to improve relations between police and minority communities by increasing the fairness, effectiveness, and accountability of police stops. This work details the successes and shortcomings of the STEPSS project. It tracks the changes undertaken by participating police forces, including a municipal police force in Spain that increased the effectiveness of stops while reducing their number and disproportionality. Perhaps most important, this work provides a roadmap toward greater fairness, improved efficiency, and better police-community relations. Details: New York: 2009 Source: Open Society Justice Initiative; AGIS Year: 2009 Country: United States URL: Shelf Number: 115826 Keywords: Police BehaviorProfilingTraffic Stops |
Author: Neild, Rachel Title: Ethnic Profiling in the European Union: Pervasive, Ineffective, and Discriminatory Summary: Ethnic profiling - a longstanding practice that has increased since 9/11 - is pervasive in the European Union. In France and Italy, raids on homes, businesses, and mosques - often lacking a basis in specific evidence - have targeted Muslims. In Germany, police have used preventative powers to conduct mass identity checks outside major mosques. And in the United Kingdom, stops and searches of British Asians shot up five-fold after the July 2005 London Underground bomb attacks. This work examines the scope of ethnic profiling, showing how police officers in the U.K., France, Italy, Germany, and the Netherlands routinely use generalizations about race, ethnicity, religion, or national origin when deciding whom to target for stops, searches, raids, and surveillance. The report analyzes ethnic profiling both in ordinary policing and in counterterrorism, and finds that it is not just a violation of European laws and international human rights norms - it is also an ineffective use of police resources that leaves the public less safe. The damage from ethnic profiling - to the rule of law, to effective law enforcement, to police-community relations, and especially to those who are targeted - is considerable. In addition to providing a comprehensive examination of ethnic profiling and considering the legality of the practice, this report offers effective alternatives that increase security, advance counterterrorism efforts, and respect human rights. Details: New York: Open Society Institute, 2009 Source: Year: 2009 Country: United States URL: Shelf Number: 115354 Keywords: EthnicityPolice BehaviorProfiling |
Author: Amnesty International Title: Public Outrage: Police Officers Above the Law in France Summary: French police officers have been accused of racist abuse, excessive use of force, beatings, unlawful killings, and other human rights violations. This report examines the French justice system, and argues that it fosters impunity for those police officers accused of such acts. Internal police investigations, judges, prosecutors and victims experiences are all examined in relation to alleged human rights violations by French police officers. Details: London: Amnesty International Publications, 2009 Source: Year: 2009 Country: United Kingdom URL: Shelf Number: 115346 Keywords: FranceHuman RightsPolice BehaviorUse of Force |
Author: Ridgeway, Greg Title: Cincinnati Police Department Traffic Stops: Applying RAND's Framework to Analyze Racial Disparities Summary: In Cincinnati, a memorandum of agreement (MOA) between the city and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), dated April 12, 2002, sought to remedy a pattern or practice of conduct by law-enforcement officers that deprives individuals of rights, privileges, or immunities secured by the U.S. Constitution or federal law. Separately in 2002, the City of Cincinnati and other parties (collectively, the parties) entered into a collaborative agreement in an attempt to resolve social conflict, improve community-police relations, reduce crime and disorder, and resolve pending individual and organizational legal claims about racially biased policing in Cincinnati. In July 2004, the city, on behalf of the parties of the collaborative agreement, hired the RAND Corporation to conduct evaluations over the course of five years to assist the parties with measuring progress toward the goals of the collaborative agreement. This monograph represents the final annual report, for the fifth year. While the evaluations in the previous years covered a large series of tasks, this evaluation focuses solely on three assessments of the traffic-stop data: (1) an assessment of whether there is a departmentwide pattern of bias against black drivers in the decision to stop a vehicle, (2) an assessment of the fraction of CPD officers who disproportionately stop black drivers compared to other officers patrolling the same neighborhoods at the same time, and (3) an assessment of racial biases in post-stop outcomes, including stop duration, citation rates, and search rate In assessing whether there is a department-wide pattern of bias against black drivers in the decision to stop a vehicle, we take an approach that is different from the traditional approaches to creating an external benchmark—all of which have some limitations; our approach gets around those limitations by taking advantage of a natural experiment involving daylight saving time (DST) that does not require explicit external estimates of the racial or ethnic distribution of those at risk of being stopped. More specifically, to assess bias in the decision to stop, we compare stops immediately before and immediately after changes to and from DST, when a similar mix of drivers and a similar allocation of police officers will be in effect and in which the only major difference will be in officers’ ability to see, because of the shift from daylight to darkness, the race of the drivers being stopped. From that assessment, we found the following, for 2008: • Black drivers were less likely to be stopped during daylight, when drivers’ races are more visible, evidence that is counter to what we would expect if there were racial profiling. • Aggregating six years of data, from 2003 to 2008, we find no evidence of racial profiling in officers’ decisions to stop drivers. In assessing whether there is racial bias in the decision to stop at the individual officer level, we use an internal-benchmarking approach that constructs a customized internal benchmark for each officer, comparing the racial distribution of suspects stopped by the officer in question with the racial distribution of suspects stopped by other officers at the same times and places and in the same contexts. This method selects an officer, identifies stops that other officers made at the same time and in the same neighborhood, and compares the racial distributions of the stopped drivers. Since the officers are patrolling the same areas at the same times, the racial distributions should be the same (assuming that the officers are on the same assignment). When we conduct the internal-benchmarking assessment, we find the following: • Ten officers appear to be stopping significantly more black drivers than did other officers patrolling at the same times and places and in the same contexts. In assessing whether there is racial bias or disparities in what happens after the stop—in the length of the stop, in the rates at which officers cite motorists, and in the way they conduct vehicle searches—we use a method known as propensity-score weighting to identify stops involving nonblack drivers that are similarly situated to the stops involving black drivers and make post-stop comparisons between the two groups. Doing so allows us to account for a large number of factors—such as neighborhood, place of residence, reason for stop, day and month of stop, time of day of stop, state of vehicle registration, validity of the driver’s license, and number and age of occupants in vehicle—that can confound whether the differences we see in post-stop outcomes are actually the result of racial bias. When we conduct the propensity-score weighting analysis of poststop decisions, we find the following: • Black drivers who were stopped were slightly more likely to have their stops exceed 10 minutes, compared to similarly situated nonblack drivers who were stopped. • There was no racial difference in the percentage of stops lasting more than 30 minutes when comparing black drivers to similarly situated nonblack drivers. • Black drivers were less likely to receive a citation than were similarly situated nonblack drivers. • Officers were less likely to conduct a high-discretion search, such as a consent search, of a black driver than of a similarly situated nonblack driver. • When searched, black and nonblack drivers were equally likely to be found in possession of contraband. If we do not limit the compared drivers to those in similar situations, we do find large differences. For example, officers more frequently search black drivers than nonblack drivers (13 percent versus 6 percent). While this disparity is largely due to differences in when, where, and why the stops occurred, these differences in experience can shape black drivers’ views of CPD officers. Conclusions and Implications Although we found no evidence of racial differences between the stops of black and those of similarly situated nonblack drivers, there are issues that can exacerbate the perception of racial bias. First, for each year of analysis, we find several officers who stop substantially more black drivers than their peers do. These represent a small fraction of CPD officers, and, as noted in the document, CPD has the capability to monitor, manage, and address issues that these officers may present to the department and the community. Second, although black and similarly situated nonblack drivers have similar stop outcomes, the burden of policing falls disproportionately on black residents, even though nonblack drivers have similar stop outcomes. There are still substantial gaps between how black and nonblack residents view CPD. As noted in last year’s RAND report (Ridgeway, Schell, Gifford, et al., 2009), the improvements that have been seen over the life of the collaborative agreement may be fragile. It will require a continued and concerted effort on the part of CPD and community leaders to maintain progress toward the goals stated in the collaborative agreement, as well as to prevent reversals in the positive trends that we observed while this agreement was in force. Details: Santa Monica, CA: RAND, 2009. 93p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 17, 2018 at: https://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/monographs/2009/RAND_MG914.pdf Year: 2009 Country: United States URL: https://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/monographs/2009/RAND_MG914.pdf Shelf Number: 117100 Keywords: Police BehaviorPolice-Community RelationsRacial DisparitiesRacial Profiling in Law EnforcementTraffic Stops |
Author: Great Britain. Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary Title: Delivering the Policing Pledge: Early Findings Summary: The Policing Pledge aims to ensure that the public has responsive policing, placing the citizen at the heart of those services. The pledge sets out what the public can expect, in terms of fairness, access, local policing, response to calls, support and information for victims, and dealing with dissatisfaction with the overall aim of increasing public satisfaction and confidence in policing services. This report presents the pledge in a 10 point framework, with the ability to be tailored to meet the needs to local neighborhoods. Details: London: Her Majesty's Inspectorate Constabulary, 2009 Source: Year: 2009 Country: United Kingdom URL: Shelf Number: 115198 Keywords: Police BehaviorPolice-Community Relations |
Author: Northern Ireland. Criminal Justice Inspectorate Title: Police Custody: The Detention of Persons in Police Custody in Northern Ireland Summary: This inspection reviewed the custody services by the Police Service of Northern Ireland in four main areas: strategic and service-wide issues; treatment and conditions; healthcare; and individual rights. The purpose behind this kind of review is to ensure the treatment and care of detainees is critical ensuring that those who are detained in police custody are dealt with in an effective, efficient and humane manner. Details: Belfast: Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland, 2009 Source: Year: 2009 Country: United Kingdom URL: Shelf Number: 115350 Keywords: DetentionPolice Behavior |
Author: Lloyd, Kate Title: Citizen Focus and Community Engagement: A Review of the Literature Summary: This review examines the key factors from the research evidence on public perception of the police, factors associated with satisfaction and confidence, elements of community engagement and the key challenges to the successful implementation of citizen-focused policing. Four major themes emerge from this review: the importance of police attitude and conduct; a lack of understanding about citizen focus and community engagement; the prevalence of citizen focus, community policing and community engagement activities and approaches being 'bolted on' to existing policing structures, rather than transforming the ways policing is delivered across the board and; how aspects of policing culture can shape officers' behavior and approaches to their work, and potentially block or undermine the possibilities for change. Details: London: Police Foundation, 2009 Source: Year: 2009 Country: United Kingdom URL: Shelf Number: 115293 Keywords: Community ParticipationPolice BehaviorPolice-Community Relations |
Author: Schell, Terry Title: Police-Community Relations in Cincinnati: Year Three Evaluation Report Summary: In 2002, the Cincinnati Police Department (CPD), the Fraternal Order of Police, and the ACLU joined together in a collaborative agreement to resolve social conflict, improve community relations, and avoid litigation in Cincinnati. This third-year evaluation reports that blacks continue to bear a disproportionate share of the impact of policing services by virtue of the clustering of crime, calls for service, and policing in predominantly black neighborhoods. While there is no evidence that the police systematically or deliberately treat blacks differently, blacks nevertheless experience a different kind of policing from that experienced by whites. In particular, blacks experience more policing and particularly more of the proactive policing exemplified by Operation Vortex. While it may not be possible to field a proactive enforcement strategy that is racially neutral, much of CPD's interaction with the citizenry comes through vehicle stops. The quality, tenor, and tone of such stops are largely under police control. The department should thus pay special attention to training to ensure that these interactions are conducted consistently, courteously, and professionally. Without a concerted effort to ameliorate the disparate impact of these policies, it seems likely that black Cincinnati residents will remain less satisfied with policing services than will their white counterparts." Details: RAND Corporation, 2007. 105p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 26, 2018 at: https://www.rand.org/pubs/technical_reports/TR535.html Year: 2007 Country: United States URL: https://www.rand.org/pubs/technical_reports/TR535.html Shelf Number: 117374 Keywords: Police BehaviorPolice TrainingRace/EthnicityVehicle Stops |
Author: Shah, Naureen Title: Broken system: dysfunction, abuse, and impunity in the Indian Police. Summary: This report documents a range of human rights violations committed by police, including arbitrary arrest and detention, torture and extrajudicial killings. The report is based on interviews with more than 80 police officers of varying ranks, 60 victims of police abuses, and numerous discussions with experts and civil society activists. It documents the failings of state police forces that operate outside the law, lack sufficient ethical and professional standards, are overstretched and outmatched by criminal elements, and unable to cope with increasing demands and public expectations. Field research was conducted in 19 police stations in Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Himachal, Pradesh, and the capital, Delhi. Details: New York, NY: Human Rights Watch, 2009 Source: Internet Source Year: 2009 Country: India URL: Shelf Number: 116186 Keywords: AsiaPolice BehaviorPolice EthicsPolice MisconductPolice OfficersTorture |
Author: Cruz, Jose Miguel Title: Police Abuse in Latin America Summary: The AmericasBarometer survey provides an opportunity to assess police behavior in the Americas from the perspective of voting age citizens. This report in the AmericasBarometer Insights series seeks to answer these questions based in the 2008 database. The survey containing the question about police mistreatment was carried out in twenty Latin American and Caribbean countries, and it was answered by 32,853 respondents. The report concludes that although police reforms have taken place in several countries in the region, further work is needed with the police forces in Latin America. Details: Nashville, TN: Vanderbilt University, Latin American Public Opinion Project, 2009. 8p. Source: Internet Resource; Accessed August 14, 2010 at: http://sitemason.vanderbilt.edu/files/i3AQ5a/I0811%20Police%20Abuse%20in%20Latin%20America%20English.pdf; Americas Barometer Insights: 2009 (No. 11) Year: 2009 Country: Central America URL: http://sitemason.vanderbilt.edu/files/i3AQ5a/I0811%20Police%20Abuse%20in%20Latin%20America%20English.pdf; Americas Barometer Insights: 2009 (No. 11) Shelf Number: 119604 Keywords: Police BehaviorPolice ReformPolicing (Latin America)Public Opinion |
Author: Martin, Andre Title: Caught in the Act: Investigation into the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services' Conduct in Relation to Ontario Regulation 233/10 Under the Public Works Protection Act Summary: Regulation 233/10, passed to enhance security during the G20 summit, should never have been enacted. It was likely unconstitutional. The effect of Regulation 233/10, now expired, was to infringe on freedom of expression in ways that do not seem justifiable in a free and democratic society. Specifically, the passage of the regulation triggered the extravagant police authority found in the Public Works Protection Act, including the power to arbitrarily arrest and detain people and to engage in unreasonable searches and seizures. Even apart from the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the legality of Regulation 233/10 is doubtful. The Public Works Protection Act under which it was proclaimed authorizes regulations to be created to protect infrastructure, not to provide security to people during events. Regulation 233/10 was therefore probably invalid for having exceeded the authority of the enactment under which it was passed. These problems should have been apparent, and given the tremendous power Regulation 233/10 conferred on the police, sober and considered reflection should have been given to whether it was appropriate to arm officers with such authority. This was not done. The decision of the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services to sponsor the regulation was unreasonable. Even had Regulation 233/10 been valid, the government should have handled its passage better. Regulation 233/10 changed the rules of the game. It gave police powers that are unfamiliar in a free and democratic society. Steps should have been taken to ensure that the Toronto Police Service understood what they were getting. More importantly, the passage of the regulation should have been aggressively publicized, not disclosed only through obscure official information channels. Perversely, by changing the rules of the game without real notice, Regulation 233/10 acted as a trap for the responsible – those who took the time to educate themselves about police powers before setting out to express legitimate political dissent. All of this makes for a sorry legacy. The value in hosting international summits is that it permits the host nation to primp and pose before the eyes of the world. Ordinarily Ontario and Canada could proudly showcase the majesty of a free and democratic society. The legacy of the passage and administration of Regulation 233/10 is that we failed to do that well. Details: Ottawa: Ombudsman Ontario, 2010. 127p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed December 10, 2010 at: http://www.ombudsman.on.ca/media/157555/g20final1-en.pdf Year: 2010 Country: Canada URL: http://www.ombudsman.on.ca/media/157555/g20final1-en.pdf Shelf Number: 120436 Keywords: Freedom of SpeechPolice BehaviorPolice Use of ForcePolicing (Canada)Public Order |
Author: U.S. Department of Justice. Civil Rights Division Title: Investigation of the New Orleans Police Department Summary: The New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) has long been a troubled agency. Basic elements of effective policing — clear policies, training, accountability, and confidence of the citizenry —have been absent for years. Far too often, officers show a lack of respect for the civil rights and dignity of the people of New Orleans. While the majority of the force is hardworking and committed to public safety, too many officers of every rank either do not understand or choose to ignore the boundaries of constitutional policing. Some argue that, given the difficulty of police work, officers must at times police harshly and bend the rules when a community is confronted with seemingly intransigent high levels of crime. Policing is undeniably difficult; however, experience and study in the policing field have made it clear that bending the rules and ignoring the Constitution makes effective policing much more challenging. NOPD’s failure to ensure that its officers routinely respect the Constitution and the rule of law undermines trust within the very communities whose cooperation the Department most needs to enforce the law and prevent crime. As systematic violations of civil rights erode public confidence, policing becomes more difficult, less safe, and less effective, and crime increases. The deficiencies in the way NOPD polices the City are not simply individual, but structural as well. For too long, the Department has been largely indifferent to widespread violations of law and policy by its officers. NOPD does not have in place the basic systems known to improve public safety, ensure constitutional practices, and promote public confidence. We found that the deficiencies that lead to constitutional violations span the operation of the entire Department, from how officers are recruited, trained, supervised, and held accountable, to the operation of Paid Details. In the absence of mechanisms to protect and promote civil rights, officers too frequently use excessive force and conduct illegal stops, searches and arrests with impunity. In addition, the Department’s culture tolerates and encourages under-enforcement and under-investigation of violence against women. The Department has failed to take meaningful steps to counteract and eradicate bias based on race, ethnicity, and LGBT status in its policing practices, and has failed to provide critical policing services to language minority communities. The problems in NOPD developed over a long period of time and will take time to address and correct. The Department must develop and implement new policies and protocols, train its officers in effective and constitutional policing, and institutionalize systems to ensure accountability, foster police-community partnerships, improve the quality of policing to all parts of the City, and eliminate unlawful bias from all levels of NOPD policing decisions. Recommendations on achieving these changes are attached to this Report. We look forward to working with NOPD and the City of New Orleans to address the violations of constitutional and federal law that we identified, by developing and implementing a comprehensive blueprint for sustainable reform that will: (1) reduce crime; (2) ensure respect for the Constitution and the rule of law; and (3) restore public confidence in NOPD. Details: Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, 2011. 158p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 8, 2011 at: http://www.justice.gov/crt/about/spl/nopd_report.pdf Year: 2011 Country: United States URL: http://www.justice.gov/crt/about/spl/nopd_report.pdf Shelf Number: 121279 Keywords: DiscriminationGender BiasPolice BehaviorPolice MisconductPolice Recruitment and SelectionPolice ReformPolice Use of ForcePolice-Community RelationsPolicing (New Orleans) |
Author: Stephens, Darrel W. Title: Police Discipline: A Case for Change Summary: This paper describes the challenges law enforcement agencies nationwide experience with current disciplinary procedures and offers alternate approaches that can improve internal morale and external relationships with the community. The author also highlights proactive approaches (such as education-based discipline, mediation, peer review, and early intervention) that some agencies are employing to manage and/or reform officer behavior. Details: Cambridge, MA: Harvard Kennedy School, Program in Criminal Justice Policy and Management, 2011. 27p. Source: Internet Resource: New Perspectives in Policing: Accessed June 27, 2011 at: http://ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/234052.pdf Year: 2011 Country: United States URL: http://ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/234052.pdf Shelf Number: 121838 Keywords: Complaints Against PolicePolice BehaviorPolice EthicsPolice MisconductPolice, Disciplinary Procedures (U.S.) |
Author: Gorta, Angela Title: Preventing Corruption: Lessons from Occupational Health and Safety Summary: Unlike detecting and investigating corruption, preventing corruption requires intervening before the corrupt conduct occurs. However, the best ways to intervene are not always clear. This Research and Issues Paper illustrates practical ways of intervening to prevent or minimise corrupt conduct before it occurs by considering the similarities between the task of minimising corruption and the task of minimising workplace accidents. It identifies ten lessons from Occupational Health and Safety strategies for those who wish to prevent corruption and other forms of serious misconduct. While not a panacea, comparing corruption prevention strategies with Occupational Health and Safety strategies provides a useful way of both thinking about and communicating how to prevent corrupt conduct. Details: Sydney: NSW Police Integrity Commission, 2011. 22p. Source: Internet Resource: Research and Issues Papers, No. 8: Accessed June 28, 2011 at: http://www.pic.nsw.gov.au/News.aspx?NewsId=49 Year: 2011 Country: Australia URL: http://www.pic.nsw.gov.au/News.aspx?NewsId=49 Shelf Number: 121875 Keywords: Police BehaviorPolice Corruption (Australia)Police EthicsPolice Misconduct |
Author: Queensland. Crime and Misconduct Commission Title: Operation Tesco: Report of an Investigation into Allegations of Police Misconduct on the Gold Coast Summary: Operation Tesco was a CMC investigation into allegations that certain police officers on the Gold Coast were involved in inappropriate associations with criminals, drug use, misuse of confidential police information and resources, and acceptance of gratuities. It also examined police leadership and supervision in the Gold Coast area Although the investigation focussed only on three police officers, its significance lay in its exposure of the environment and attitudes that gave rise to their behaviour. It also put a spotlight on the conduct of other officers in the policing district — their use of police vehicles as private taxis, and their acceptance of free alcohol from local establishments. As well as drawing attention to the quality of supervision and the ability of local managers to recognise and deal with potential misconduct, the investigation also revealed some concerning policy gaps. Details: Brisbane: Crime and Misconduct Commission, 2011. 48p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 30, 2011 at: http://www.cmc.qld.gov.au/data/portal/00000005/content/14049001308722893463.pdf Year: 2011 Country: Australia URL: http://www.cmc.qld.gov.au/data/portal/00000005/content/14049001308722893463.pdf Shelf Number: 121922 Keywords: Police BehaviorPolice EthicsPolice Misconduct (Australia) |
Author: Kirsch, Nadja Title: Corruption Risks Associated with the Execution of Search Warrants: A Review of Compliance with NSW Police Force Policies and Guidelines Summary: This paper examines how well the NSW Police Force is managing the corruption risks associated with search warrants. The PIC reviewed a sample of 98 search warrants to assess the extent to which officers are complying with NSW Police Force Standing Operating Procedures – Search Warrants. The paper contains recommendations for improving compliance with key aspects of the Standing Operating Procedures, in particular the filming of searches and record-keeping. Details: Sydney: New South Wales Police Integrity Commission, 2011. 55p. Source: Internet Resource: Research and Issues Paper, No. 07: Accessed July 1, 2011 at: http://www.pic.nsw.gov.au/files/News/OstaraFinal.pdf Year: 2011 Country: Australia URL: http://www.pic.nsw.gov.au/files/News/OstaraFinal.pdf Shelf Number: 121935 Keywords: Police BehaviorPolice Corruption (Australia)Police MisconductSearch Warrants |
Author: Hunter, Janine Title: An Analysis of Independent Custody Visiting in Scotland Summary: The Scottish Institute for Policing Research was commissioned by the Independent Custody Visiting Association (ICVA) in March 2010 to complete an evaluation of independent custody visiting in Scotland. Independent custody visiting (ICV) involves appointed members of the public (custody visitors) making unannounced visits to police detention facilities in order to establish that detainees are treated humanely and that the detention environment is adequate. ICV also provides an opportunity to scrutinise police practice and procedures in custody facilities and therefore provides a mechanism of accountability and reassurance to the public. The aims of this report are to: 1. Review the infrastructure for supporting independent custody visiting in Scotland at a national and local level 2. Provide an audit of the current operation of independent custody visiting in Scotland and identify any significant changes over time or differences of approach between police force areas 3. Carry out a case study analysis of the operation of independent custody visiting in one police force area 4. Provide a summary of main findings and recommendations for future development. Details: Dundee, UK: Scottish Institute for Policing Research, University of Dundee, 2010. 64p. Source: Internet Resource: accessed July 20, 2011 at: http://www.sipr.ac.uk/downloads/Research_Summaries/Custody_Visiting_Report.pdf Year: 2010 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.sipr.ac.uk/downloads/Research_Summaries/Custody_Visiting_Report.pdf Shelf Number: 122128 Keywords: Detention FacilitiesDetention of PersonsPolice BehaviorPolice Detention Facilities (Scotland)Prisoners |
Author: Eith, Christine Title: Contacts between Police and the Public, 2008 Summary: This report presents findings from a nationally representative survey of nearly 60,000 residents age 16 or older about their contact with police during the 12 months prior to the interview. Interviews were conducted between July 1, 2008 and December 31, 2008 as a supplement to the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS). This report offers detailed information on face-to-face contacts with the police, including the reason for and outcome of the contact, resident opinion on police behavior during the contact, and whether police used or threatened use of force during the contact. The report describes the demographic characteristics of residents involved in traffic stops and incidents in which the police used force. It also provides comparative analysis with prior survey findings. Highlights include the following: The percent of U.S. residents age 16 or older who had face-to-face contact with police declined from 2002 (21.0%) to 2005 (19.1%) and declined again in 2008 (16.9%). White (8.4%), black (8.8%), and Hispanic (9.1%) drivers were stopped by police at similar rates in 2008. Male drivers (9.9%) were stopped at higher rates than female drivers (7.0%). Details: Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2011. 28p. Source: Internet Resource: Special Report: Accessed October 18, 2011 at: http://bjs.ojp.usdoj.gov/content/pub/pdf/cpp08.pdf Year: 2011 Country: United States URL: http://bjs.ojp.usdoj.gov/content/pub/pdf/cpp08.pdf Shelf Number: 123055 Keywords: Police BehaviorPolice Use of ForcePolice-Citizen Interactions (U.S.)Police-Community RelationsPublic Opinion Towards PoliceVehicle StopsVictimization Surveys |
Author: Alabama Department of Public Safety Title: Final Technical Report for In-Car Video Project Summary: The ADPS purchased the equipment, including the ICV system, along with installation in the State trooper patrol vehicles assigned to the Quad Cities and Jacksonville Trooper Posts. The goals of the ICV program were to increase safety for citizens and officers, ensure officer integrity, and increase conviction rates by 10 percent for driving under the influence (DUI). The evaluation found that the project has been plagued with malfunctions of defective equipment. The original vendor company was sold, and although it initially appeared that the new owners would stand behind the product, this has not occurred. Currently, 30 (more than half) of the cameras are not functional; therefore, analysis of statistical data cannot produce valid results. Officer safety was expected to be improved through the monitoring capability of the ICV system when operating at peak efficiency; however, due to the unreliability of the equipment, there was no way to collect a sufficient amount of observational data regarding officer integrity and use for the targeted training. DUI conviction rates for 2007 were compared to 2008 in order to identify changes in DUI cases outcomes attributed to the use of ICVs. Both ICV Troops showed decreases in convictions for DUI, and not-guilty outcomes also decreased. These findings may be attributed to the general declining numbers of DUI citations as well as other programs that affected DUI case outcomes, such as pretrial diversion and the institution of the Zero-Tolerance Task Force, which has reduced the number of impaired drivers on the road. Details: Alabama: Alabama Department of Public Safety, 2011. 16p. pg.s Source: Internet Resource: Technical Report: Accessed December 7, 2011 at: https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/233344.pdf Year: 2011 Country: United States URL: https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/233344.pdf Shelf Number: 123501 Keywords: AlabamaDriving Under the InfluencePolice BehaviorPolice Technology |
Author: Faull, Andrew Title: Oversight agencies in South Africa and the challenge of police corruption Summary: During the first quarter of 2011 there were a number of high-profile police scandals. These included the Public Protector’s findings that the South African Police Service’s top management interfered in a R500 million tender process; indications that Crime Intelligence officials acted improperly to hamper a Hawks investigation into Czech fugitive Radovan Krejcir; allegations of abuse and murder against the head of Crime Intelligence and members of Tactical Response Teams; evidence of increases in fatal shootings by police, police torture, and greater pay-outs for civil claims against police. This does not bode well for an organisation struggling to contest an image of widespread corruption, most powerfully symbolised by the conviction of former National Commissioner Jackie Selebi in 2010. Fortunately South Africa has several institutions responsible for holding the police to account. The questions that need to be answered are: How effective are these institutions? And how might they play a more meaningful role in reducing police corruption and promoting police professionalism in South Africa? When the interim constitution was passed in 1993 it sought to promote the establishment of a police service that would break with the unaccountable, often abusive policing of the apartheid era. Oversight of the police was made a priority in the transformation period. The apartheid-era South African Police (SAP) force had at times been ruthless in its dealings with citizens, employing both torture and gratuitous violence in the course of its often politically driven work. No longer a police ‘force’, the new ‘service’ was to be transparent and accountable. The result in subsequent years was that, in addition to the merging and internal reformation of the SAP and ten homeland police agencies, emphasis was placed on the establishment of oversight infrastructure. With all eyes focused on police reformation and the development of external oversight, the SAPS regressed in terms of internal systems of command and control. While it is no longer perceived as overly political or brutal, the police service has developed a reputation of unprofessionalism, corruption and criminality, a reputation that has damaged citizen trust in the police. Similarly, as fear about crime escalated in the late nineties, emphasis on police oversight declined. Although it is ultimately the responsibility of the SAPS to ensure the professionalism and integrity of its members, oversight bodies have an important role to play in making sure the SAPS takes action to bring this about. While South Africa has a thriving civil society sector, which includes organisations engaged with issues relating to the police, its expertise and research findings often fail to hold the attention of government bodies. As such, its potential to offer advice is not often taken advantage of by government. This paper outlines the challenge of tackling corruption in the SAPS. It then sketches the history and structure of three of South Africa’s main police oversight bodies: parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Police, the Secretariat for police, and the Independent Complaints Directorate (ICD), and asks how these structures have dealt with corruption in the SAPS in recent years, offering suggestions for future engagement. The paper also seeks to identify possible areas in which civil society can better support the structures in their work. Details: Pretoria, South Africa: Institute for Security Studies, 2011. 20p. Source: ISS Paper 227. Internet Resource Accessed on January 26, 2012 at http://www.iss.co.za/uploads/Paper227.pdf Year: 2011 Country: South Africa URL: http://www.iss.co.za/uploads/Paper227.pdf Shelf Number: 123775 Keywords: Police BehaviorPolice Corruption (South Africa)Police Oversight (South Africa)Police Professionalism |
Author: HMIC (Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary) Title: The crime scene: A review of police crime and incident reports Summary: This review by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) of police crime and incident reports in England and Wales considers the quality of crime and incident data, and the arrangements in place to ensure standards are maintained and improved. The findings from this review are derived from evidence gathered from an examination of key documents; a relatively small number of incident logs and crime reports; interviews with staff; and visits to police stations and police control rooms. The data collected was largely qualitative in nature. Any quantative results should be viewed as indicative only. Details: London: HMIC, 2012. 34p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed on January 27, 2012 at http://www.hmic.gov.uk/media/review-police-crime-incident-reports-20120125.pdf Year: 2012 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.hmic.gov.uk/media/review-police-crime-incident-reports-20120125.pdf Shelf Number: 123836 Keywords: Crime Statistics (U.K.)Incident ReportsPolice Behavior |
Author: Jenks, David Title: Examining Police Integrity: Categorizing Corruption Vignettes Summary: A growing body of literature on police officer integrity focuses on their perceptions of corruption vignettes. The current analysis examines those vignettes using a factor analysis of Klockars’ et. al. survey data of police officers in the United States. Results indicate that the historically used vignettes cluster into two factors, one that reflects more serious, and one that reflects less serious, corrupt behavior. The vignettes regarding an off-duty business and accepting free meals and other gratuities may not be perceived as corruption. Implications for research and practice are discussed. Details: Geneva: DCAF (Center for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces), 2012. 22p. Source: IPES/DCAF Working Paper No. 40 Year: 2012 Country: United States URL: Shelf Number: 123866 Keywords: Police BehaviorPolice Corruption (U.S.)Police MisconductPolice Use of Force |
Author: Independent Police Complaints Commission Title: Corruption in the Police Service in England and Wales - Part I Summary: The Independent Police Complaints Commission has published the first part of its report regarding corruption in the police service. The report, which was requested by the Home Secretary earlier this summer, outlines the various aspects of behaviour by police officers and staff that can be considered as corrupt. It also has information about the number of referrals the IPCC receives and examples of some corruption cases the organisation has investigated. The report also contains a review of learning and recommendations made in individual corruption investigations. This identified some common themes such as supervision and leadership; misuse of computer systems and policies and procedures - the latter being particularly related to the claiming of expenses and use of corporate credit cards. IPCC Interim Chair Len Jackson, said: "This report sets out, in high level terms, what the IPCC's experience of investigating corruption within the police service of England and Wales has been so far. During its lifetime the Commission has received corruption related referrals from police forces that have resulted in a number of investigations; some of these have been particularly high profile and involved officers of the highest rank. "It is clear that allegations of corruption against any rank of officer, such as those we have seen in the last few months, severely damages the reputation and standing of all forces and officers. "Our second report, which will follow before the end of this year, will provide further analysis of referrals and identification of issues and lessons to be learned for the police service as a whole. It will also comment on the public's views of police corruption and its impact on wider confidence in policing, as well as exploring what further powers and resources would be required if the IPCC were to take a greater role in the investigation of corruption issues in the future.†Police forces and police authorities are required by law to refer complaints or conduct matters to the IPCC if the allegation includes serious corruption. This includes any attempt to pervert the course of justice, passing on confidential information in return for payment or other benefits, and the supply of seized controlled drugs, firearms or other material. In 2009, the Commission took the decision that it would increase its oversight of corruption matters and would develop its capacity to provide greater oversight of such cases. As a result during the last two to three years the Commission has managed, rather than supervised, the investigation of more cases and conducted independent investigations in a small number of high profile cases. Of the approximate 2,400 referrals received by the IPCC in 2010/11 that cover all types of allegations, more than 200 were classified as serious corruption. A similar number of corruption referrals were also received in both 2009/10 and 2008/9. The report was ordered by the Home Secretary, under powers set out in the Police Reform Act 2002, in a statement to the House of Commons in July 2011. The statement followed allegations concerning corrupt relationships between the police and the media generated by the News of the world phone hacking story. Details: London: IPCC Independent Police Complaints Commission, 2011. 35p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed on January 31, 2012 at http://www.ipcc.gov.uk/Documents/Corruption_in_the_Police_Service_in_England_Wales.pdf Year: 2011 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.ipcc.gov.uk/Documents/Corruption_in_the_Police_Service_in_England_Wales.pdf Shelf Number: 122968 Keywords: Police BehaviorPolice Corruption (U.K.)Police Use of Force |
Author: Barton, Adrian Title: Screening and Brief Intervention in the Charles Cross Custody Suite - Final Report Summary: Inappropriate and problematic use of alcohol by sections of the population which leads to alcohol related crime and disorder is acknowledged as being a major and growing problem in the UK. In response, the government has launched two sets of initiatives each with different aims. One set are aimed at the drinkers themselves and seek to change behaviour and the other set are criminal justice led and aimed at using the criminal justice agencies to address alcohol related crime and disorder. One such example is the Alcohol Misuse Enforcement Campaigns (AMEC). Whilst police led campaigns have delivered some success they tend to prioritize a situational approach to the problem and ignore the individual and motivational aspect of the hazardous and harmful use of alcohol. This is to be expected as very few police forces or police officers are trained or equipped to offer advice about harmful or hazardous drinking to individuals. Moreover, in the context in which schemes such as AMEC are delivered there is little scope for the officers to meaningfully engage with problem drinkers at a level which they can address motivation – indeed it is often the case that police officers and hazardous and harmful drinkers will be in conflict when they meet. However, as the Drug Interventions Programme (DIP) has demonstrated the criminal justice system can be a very effective vehicle through which substance mis-users can access information and treatment and this, in part, led to the development of the Screening and Brief Intervention programme (SBI) being piloted in Plymouth. Details: Plymouth, UK: University of Plymouth, 2008. 17p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 17, 2012 at http://www.plymouth.ac.uk/files/extranet/docs/SSB/Alchohol%20Intervention%20final%20report.pdf Year: 2008 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.plymouth.ac.uk/files/extranet/docs/SSB/Alchohol%20Intervention%20final%20report.pdf Shelf Number: 124151 Keywords: Alcohol AbuseAlcohol Related Crime, Disorder (U.K.)Police Behavior |
Author: International Crisis Group Title: Indonesia: The Deadly Cost of Poor Policing Summary: Indonesian communities are increasingly turning to violence to retaliate against the police for abuses, real or perceived. Some 40 attacks on police stations and personnel since August 2010 are clear evidence that community policing, the centrepoint of the police reform agenda, is not working; police are too quick to shoot, usually with live ammunition; and little progress has been made toward police accountability. In the absence of urgent reforms and mechanisms to address local grievances, public hostility is likely to grow. Police are supposed to be helping prevent conflict but too often they are contributing to its outbreak. Cultural, structural, individual, financial and educational barriers within the institution hinder behavioural change. Applicants join the police to wield power and earn money, and once on the force, there are few incentives, financial or professional, to build rapport with the communities they are supposed to serve. Policy directives on community policing from 2005 and 2008 have not trickled down to the sub-district precincts (kepolisian sektor, polsek), and those field officers who are committed to building good relations have limited impact because of frequent rotations. Community hostility is the cumulative result of police brutality; unwarranted demands for money; perceived arrogance; and lack of accountability, especially in cases of fatal shootings. Failure to investigate or punish errant officers triggers mob action, often involving arson, while community resistance to the arrest of those responsible for such violence intensifies if the police in question go free. The problem is compounded by the staffing of precincts with poorly-trained graduates of provincial police schools who receive inadequate firearms training, let alone instruction in community policing. In many cases, local elected officials have to take on the burden of negotiating a way out of the police-community standoff because there are no available institutional mechanisms to resolve grievances. This report looks in detail at three cases of community attacks on police stations that occurred in 2010 and 2011. All started from complaints about excessive use of force. In Buol, Central Sulawesi, citizens destroyed police facilities and forced police families to leave town after seven men were shot dead during a mass protest against the death of a teenager in police custody. This is one of the few cases in which officers were brought to court, but only because of the high death toll and media attention. One was acquitted, two were given slap-on-the-wrist sentences, and some two dozen others faced minor disciplinary sanctions. Many questions remain unanswered. In Kampar, Riau, residents vandalised a precinct after the arrest and beating of an innocent clan elder at a market. He was accused of illegal gambling because he was jotting numbers on a piece of paper, when in fact he was noting product prices. Trivial arrests like this frequently occur because police are rewarded for favourable crime statistics: the more arrests they make, regardless of the severity of the crime, the better they are seen to be doing their job. In Bantaeng, South Sulawesi, villagers attacked a precinct after a deadly police raid on alleged gamblers at a wedding party that killed one. The raiders did not come from that precinct, but it was the nearest one to the dead man’s home. Police claim they opened fire because they believed anger among the wedding guests over the gambling arrests put their commander’s life in danger. In fact they seem to have shot wildly in the dark without being able to see what they were shooting at. These incidents are emblematic of a much broader problem; the Indonesian government should stop treating them as isolated incidents. They represent a systemic failure which will continue to undermine the credibility of the police pledge to “serve and protect†the people and encourage further deadly violence unless the underlying causes of community hostility are addressed. Details: Brussels, Belgium: International Crisis Group, 2012. 32p. Source: Crisis Group Asia Report No. 218: Internet Resource: Accessed February 17, 2012 at http://www.crisisgroup.org/~/media/Files/asia/south-east-asia/indonesia/218%20Indonesia%20--%20The%20Deadly%20Cost%20of%20Poor%20Policing.pdf Year: 2012 Country: Indonesia URL: http://www.crisisgroup.org/~/media/Files/asia/south-east-asia/indonesia/218%20Indonesia%20--%20The%20Deadly%20Cost%20of%20Poor%20Policing.pdf Shelf Number: 124161 Keywords: Police BehaviorPolice CorruptionPolice MisconductPolice Use of ForcePolice-Community RelationsPolicing (Indonesia) |
Author: Lovrich, Nicholas P. Title: Results of the Monitoring of WSP Traffic Stops for Biased Policing: Analysis of WSP Stop, Citation, Search and Use of Force Data and Results of the Use of Observational Studies for Denominator Assessment Summary: This portion of the final report prepared under the auspices of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Grant-Funded Study on Racial Profiling Phenomena in Washington State [OGRD # 107828] sets forth findings derived from the independent monitoring of traffic stop data collected by the WSP. This report contains the results of an analysis of traffic stops, traffic citations, searches and use of force for evidence of biased policing. Our analysis of agency data is carried out both at the statewide and individual Autonomous Patrol Area (APA) levels. Our analysis indicates very few instances of noteworthy minority/non-minority disparities in the use of police discretion by the officers of the Washington State Patrol. Most importantly, there is no evidence of a systematic practice of racial profiling in either who is stopped, who is issued a citation, who is searched, and to whom force is applied by WSP officers. In addition to these substantive findings, this report also contains findings derived from a testing of the utility of racial coded traffic collision data as a “denominator†for racial profiling assessments by means of three observational studies conducted with digital photography. Those results indicate that collision data are likely to represent a reliable and cost-effective indicator of driver population demographics, making the monitoring of racial profiling an affordable practice in nearly all police jurisdictions. Details: Pullman, WA: Division of Governmental Studies and Services, Washington State University, 2007. 70p. Source: Report to the Washington State Patrol Relating to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Grant-Funded Study on Racial Profiling Phenomena in Washington State OFRD #107828: Internet Resource: Accessed February 21, 2012 at http://www.wsp.wa.gov/publications/reports/wsu_2007_report.pdf Year: 2007 Country: United States URL: http://www.wsp.wa.gov/publications/reports/wsu_2007_report.pdf Shelf Number: 124223 Keywords: -Racial DisparitiesPolice BehaviorRacial ProfilingTraffic Stops (Washington) |
Author: Terrill, William Title: Final Technical Report Draft: Assessing Police Use of Force Policy and Outcomes Summary: While force continuum policies are frequently discussed in the policing literature by academics and practitioners alike, little is known concerning how many agencies actually use a continuum. Moreover, given potential variation in both continuum design (e.g., linear, matrix, wheel, etc.) and tactical placement (e.g., OC spray, CED, etc.), even less is known with respect to whether differences in continuum policies matter, and if so, in what way. Within this context, this project set two separate, but interrelated goals: to identify the extent of variation in use of force policies being used by police agencies throughout the country, and determine whether certain types of policies offer more beneficial outcomes to police practitioners. Stated more directly, the project sought to (1) identify existing variation in use of force policies, particularly those employing a force continuum approach and (2) determine which types of policies offer more beneficial outcomes to police practitioners, which are measured in terms of the degree to which varying policies: (a) provide officers assistance and guidance with respect to force decision-making, and (b) are associated with less force (i.e., by amount and type), injuries to suspects and officers, citizen complaints, and lawsuits levied for improper force. As one reads through this executive summary (and the 200 plus pages of the final report) undoubtedly, like ourselves, there may be a sense of letdown. Ideally, one would want to walk away from this study knowing which use of force policy (or policies) is the best and which policy (or policies) should be avoided. Unfortunately, one of the greatest strengths of the empirical approach taken (i.e., examining multiple outcomes) is also potentially its greatest weakness. As such, we cannot unanimously endorse or condemn one use of force policy over another. What is abundantly clear from the many analyses and rankings conducted is that there is no ideal (or flawed) policy approach across all outcomes. The good news is that we provide empirical evidence of various strengths and weaknesses across many important police outcomes. We leave it to police executives to consider those outcomes most important or relevant to them and their constituents, and see which policy approaches performed more favorably in those respects. As just a single example, if one is looking to reduce citizen injuries and complaints as top policing concerns, St. Petersburg’s approach may be worth considering. However, one has to also be cognizant that officers generally did not view St. Petersburg’s policy in a favorable light. A “cop’s cop†police leader may thus prioritize such officer-related concerns and dismiss St. Petersburg’s policy, and instead endorse Knoxville’s approach that received outstanding feedback from patrol officers (irrespective of the fact that Knoxville patrol officers were injured at the highest rate of all cities). Any number of other examples could be given as well with other cities. In the end, one must weigh the advantages and drawbacks of each policy approach against various desirable (or undesirable) outcomes. Of course, readers must also use caution interpreting the findings presented throughout this summary and the full report. Although this is the most comprehensive less lethal use of force study conducted to date, as one astute reviewer accurately points out - we have just begun to scratch the surface with respect to how varying types of policies may influence varying types of outcomes. Details: Washington, DC: National Institute of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice, 2011. 287p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 28, 2012 at https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/237794.pdf Year: 2011 Country: United States URL: https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/237794.pdf Shelf Number: 124306 Keywords: Evaluative ProceduresPolice BehaviorPolice Policies and ProceduresPolice Use of Force (U.S.) |
Author: Mason, Mark Title: Analysis of Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) Activity Based Costing (ABC) Data: Results from an Initial Review Summary: This report summarises analysis into activities undertaken by Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) while on active duty, and explores whether these activities match the Home Office guidance on the role of PCSOs. The report is based on findings from a snapshot analysis of PCSO Activity Based Costing (ABC) data from 2006/07. ABC data are collected from each force over a two-week period every year. The data used in this analysis are therefore representative at the national level. However, ABC data may yield different results between and within forces due to differences in local priorities and variations in how individual activities are recorded. Grouping similar or related activity codes into meaningful categories will help mitigate the effects of any local variations in recording. Analysis of Activity Based Costing data found that despite local variation in the amount of time spent on individual activities, PCSO activity corresponds well to Home Office role guidance, with PCSOs spending the majority of their time being highly visible within the community, dealing with minor offences and supporting front-line policing. Details: London: Home Office, 2008. 3p. Source: Internet Resource: Research Report 8: Accessed March 2, 2012 at: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs08/horr08.pdf Year: 2008 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs08/horr08.pdf Shelf Number: 124334 Keywords: Police BehaviorPolice PerformancePolicing (U.K.) |
Author: Great Britain. Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary Title: Without fear or favour: A review of police relationships Summary: This year's extensive scrutiny of how the police handled the phone hacking affair has understandably led to concerns about police integrity and corruption. Police checking systems and processes have identified a small number of other high profile cases which include allegations of inappropriate police relationships – some involving senior officers. These cases either have been or are being dealt with properly, but amplify concerns about police corruption and have the potential to undermine public trust in the Service. The subject of police integrity has received wide coverage recently but HMIC did not undertake this review with any preconception of the likely findings. Rather, we have been guided by the evidence available to us and have assessed it carefully before coming to our conclusions and making our recommendations. As part of the review we asked the public about the extent and nature of police integrity and corruption. The majority do not think corruption is common and trust the police to tell the truth. However, about a third of those surveyed think there is some problem with corruption. The public also told us that they associate integrity with being treated fairly; the Service must, therefore, be absolutely transparent not only in being fair but also in being seen to be fair. Concerns that inappropriate police relationships represent endemic failings in police integrity are not borne out by the evidence available to HMIC. However, this review does not give the Police Service a clean bill of health. We found few forces and authorities had these issues on their radar. In addition, understanding of boundaries, checking mechanisms, governance and oversight in police relationships with others (including the media) varies hugely across the Service. Our benchmarking exercise suggests that few organisations have resolved these issues well for the modern world (in terms of managing controls around integrity issues). However, the Police Service needs to do so in order to safeguard their impartiality and, as importantly, the perception of their impartiality. HMIC is concerned that the lack of controls in some areas, which are not always considered by the police as „corruption‟, can allow a slippery slope to develop in relationships which leaves forces and authorities unsighted and vulnerable to significant risk. One such risk area is the potential for misuse of corporate purchasing and credit cards (of which we estimate there are 2,700 in circulation across England and Wales, in addition to the 2,712 owned by the MPS): the public rightly expects the Police Service to make best use of the public money it receives, and to put effective controls in place to ensure that it is spent appropriately and that the maximum value is derived from it (especially in a period of austerity). Other examples of risk areas include the lack of clarity around the acceptance of gifts and hospitality; and around conflicts of interest, tax and other legal implications of police officers and staff having second jobs or other business interests. A key factor in meeting the challenges to police integrity lies in the quality of the leaders of the Service: not only in ensuring that systems and processes are in HMIC (2011) Without fear or favour: A review of police relationships 6 place and work effectively to provide appropriate checks and balances, but importantly in the example they set through their own behaviours in reinforcing high standards of conduct, thus promoting integrity. The Service cannot afford to be complacent and we look to senior leaders in the Service to show that they understand the importance of acting quickly and effectively to further strengthen integrity and to give the public cause to have high levels of confidence that the police will act without fear or favour in delivering a responsive and accountable service. Governance matters enormously in reinforcing these issues. We intend to revisit the matters highlighted in this report by October 2012. Police authorities have a role in ensuring that the work to address the issues raised in the report is expedited as a matter of urgency. Incoming Police and Crime Commissioners, as a key part of their role, will need to assure themselves that forces have embedded integrity considerations in all that they do, supported by effective checks and balances. They would be assisted in this if these checks and balances were consistent throughout England and Wales. Details: London: Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC), 2011. 71p Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 11, 2012 at http://www.hmic.gov.uk/media/a-review-of-police-relationships-20111213.pdf Year: 2011 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.hmic.gov.uk/media/a-review-of-police-relationships-20111213.pdf Shelf Number: 124467 Keywords: CorruptionPolice AdministrationPolice BehaviorPolice-Community RelationsPublic Opinion |
Author: National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (NNIRR) Title: Over-raided, under seige: U.S. Immigration laws and enforcement destroy the rights of immigrants Summary: Over-Raided, Under Siege: U.S. Immigration Laws and Enforcement Destroy the Rights of Immigrants provides a critical overview and analysis of the trends and patterns of human rights violations being perpetrated against immigrant and refugee communities by the U.S. government, local, county and state governments, employers and private citizen groups. It is the fourth report issued by the National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (NNIRR) on immigration enforcement. The most recent report – Human Rights, Human Security at Risk – concludes that placing immigration services and enforcement under the new Department of Homeland Security (DHS) jeopardizes community safety and compromises access to services. The report was published in 2003, shortly after the formation of DHS. Over-Raided, Under Siege, produced under the auspices of the Human Rights Immigrant Community Action Network (HURRICANE) a new initiative of NNIRR, documents over 100 stories of human rights violations from across the country between 2006 and 2007. They range from immigration raids and migrant deaths at the U.S.-Mexico border tomounting detentions and deportations. The report identifies fivemajor trends of rights violations in immigration services and enforcement based on some 100 stories of abuse and 206 incidents of raids tracked through extensive documentation from newspaper articles, scholarly journals, reports, and interviews with affected persons and reporting by community groups. The report also provides a political and historical context to the stories (SEE PAGE 53). Over-Raided, Under Siege concludes with a series of recommendations for Congress, state and local governments, the Social Security Administration, the Department of Homeland Security, and local law enforcement agencies to cease all policies, practices, measures and laws that violate international human rights norms and to protect and uphold the rights of all immigrant and refugee families, workers and communities and focus on addressing the root causes of migration. Details: Oakland, CA: National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, 2008. 108p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 23, 2012 at http://173.236.53.234/~nnirrorg/drupal/sites/default/files/undersiege_web.pdf Year: 2008 Country: United States URL: Shelf Number: 124647 Keywords: Border ControlHuman RightsImmigration EnforcementPolice BehaviorRaids |
Author: The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights Title: Restoring a National Consensus: The Need to End Racial Profiling in America Summary: "Restoring a National Consensus: The Need to End Racial Profiling in America" is an update of our 2003 report, "Wrong Then, Wrong Now: Racial Profiling Before and After September 11, 2001." Sadly, 10 years after 9/11, the problem of racial profiling continues to be a significant national concern that demands priority attention. In releasing this report, our goals are to examine the use of racial profiling in the street-level context in which it originally arose, in the newer context of counterterrorism, and in the most recent context of immigration; and to re-establish a national consensus against racial profiling in all its forms. Details: Washington, D.C.: The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, 2011. 44p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 23, 2012 at http://www.civilrights.org/publications/reports/racial-profiling2011/racial_profiling2011.pdf Year: 2011 Country: United States URL: http://www.civilrights.org/publications/reports/racial-profiling2011/racial_profiling2011.pdf Shelf Number: 124725 Keywords: Police BehaviorPolice Policies and ProceduresRacial Profiling (U.S.) |
Author: Feder, Jody Title: Racial Profiling: Legal and Constitutional Issues Summary: Racial profiling is the practice of targeting individuals for police or security detention based on their race or ethnicity in the belief that certain minority groups are more likely to engage in unlawful behavior. Examples of racial profiling by federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies are illustrated in legal settlements and data collected by governmental agencies and private groups, suggesting that minorities are disproportionately the subject of routine traffic stops and other security-related practices. The issue has periodically attracted congressional interest, particularly with regard to existing and proposed legislative safeguards, which include the proposed End Racial Profiling Act of 2011 (H.R. 3618/S. 1670) in the 112th Congress. Several courts have considered the constitutional ramifications of the practice as an “unreasonable search and seizure†under the Fourth Amendment and, more recently, as a denial of the Fourteenth Amendment’s equal protection guarantee. A variety of federal and state statutes provide potential relief to individuals who claim that their rights are violated by race-based law enforcement practices and policies. Details: Washington, DC: Congressional Research Service, 2012. 16p. Source: CRS RL31130: Internet Resource: Accessed May 13, 2012 at https://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/RL31130.pdf Year: 2012 Country: United States URL: https://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/RL31130.pdf Shelf Number: 125249 Keywords: Laws and Legal ProceduresPolice BehaviorRacial DisparityRacial Profiling |
Author: Ridgeway, Greg Title: Police-Community Relations in Cincinnati: Year Two Evaluation Report Summary: In 2002, the Cincinnati Police Department (CPD), the Fraternal Order of Police, and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) initiated a collaboration to resolve social conflict, improve community relations, and avoid litigation in Cincinnati. The collaborative agreement requires the participants to undertake collective efforts to pursue five primary goals: (1) ensure that police officers and community members partner proactively to solve community problems; (2) build respect, cooperation, and trust within and between police and communities; (3) improve CPD education, oversight, monitoring, hiring practices, and accountability; (4) ensure fair, equitable, and courteous treatment for all; and (5) establish public understanding of police policies and procedures and recognize exceptional service to foster support for police. The parties chose the RAND Corporation to evaluate progress for five years and to publish its findings in annual reports. RAND surveyed citizens and officers, reviewed statistics, examined traffic stop data, and analyzed recorded police-citizen interactions, for this, the second annual report. Details: Santa Monica, CA: RAND, 2006. 174p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 9, 2012 at: http://www.rand.org/pubs/technical_reports/TR445.html Year: 2006 Country: United States URL: http://www.rand.org/pubs/technical_reports/TR445.html Shelf Number: 104999 Keywords: Police BehaviorPolice TrainingPolice-Community Relations (Cincinnati)Race/EthnicityVehicle Stops |
Author: Kochel, Tammy Rinehard Title: Legitimacy as a Mechanism for Police to Promote Collective Efficacy and Reduce Crime and Disorder Summary: Prior research showed that when collective efficacy is strong, it mediates the effects of concentrated disadvantage, and neighborhoods experience less crime. An untested theory about legitimacy suggests that legal institutions may be a catalyst for neighborhoods to improve collective efficacy. Legitimacy theory claims that when societies grant legal institutions legitimacy, people internalize rules and laws upheld by legal institutions, socialize others to those rules and laws, and adhere to the formal authority of legal institutions, which reduces crime. This dissertation is interested in the process by which people socialize others to rules and laws in the form of collective efficacy, examining whether views about police behaviors are related to legal institution legitimacy and collective efficacy. I theorized that police can improve legal institution legitimacy by delivering high quality services and minimizing misconduct, thus strengthening collective efficacy in neighborhoods and reducing crime and disorder. Conducting the research in Trinidad and Tobago extends the boundaries of prior research on collective efficacy and legitimacy beyond the United States, Britain, and other developed nations, into a developing nation that is wrestling with difficult challenges, including widespread disadvantage, inadequate infrastructure, acute violence, corruption, and cynicism and distrust among its people. Trinidad’s circumstances provided the opportunity to examine the linkages between police misbehavior and legal institutions and community outcomes in an environment fraught with challenges for police and neighborhoods to overcome. Additionally, in this context, I studied the linkages between delivering higher quality services and legal institution legitimacy, collective efficacy, and crime and disorder, even when the overall level of services is constrained to be low. I found that police behavior in Trinidad and Tobago has important consequences for legal institution legitimacy and for neighborhood outcomes. The results support that police may contribute to and utilize neighborhood collective efficacy as a lever to reduce crime and disorder problems. The results, however, do not (in general) support that the mechanism through which police accomplish this is legal institution legitimacy. The conclusions uphold the strong relationship between collective efficacy and crime and disorder, but leave in doubt whether legal institution legitimacy provides a pathway for increasing collective efficacy. Details: Fairfax, VA: George Mason University, Department of Administration of Justice, 2009. 219p. Source: Internet Resource: Dissertation: Accessed July 19, 2012 at: http://digilib.gmu.edu:8080/dspace/bitstream/1920/4525/1/Kochel_Tammy.pdf Year: 2009 Country: United States URL: http://digilib.gmu.edu:8080/dspace/bitstream/1920/4525/1/Kochel_Tammy.pdf Shelf Number: 125683 Keywords: Collective EfficacyNeighborhoods and CrimePolice BehaviorPolice Legitimacy (U.S.)Police MisconductPolice-Citizen Interactions |
Author: Madison, Laura Title: A Survey of Official and Unofficial Law Enforcement Twitter Accounts in Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States Summary: To use Twitter to its fullest potential for public communications, emergency management, and other functions, law enforcement agencies must first understand the medium -- not only how citizens use it, but also how their peers use it both officially and unofficially. This study, a survey of 1,089 police and police-related Twitter accounts, used 25 different criteria to show how agencies and officers are using Twitter, where they can improve, and implications for their future use. Details: Canada: Canadian Association of Police on Social Media, 2010. 22p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 22, 2012 at http://www.sfu.ca/iccrc/content/twitter.survey.pdf Year: 2010 Country: International URL: http://www.sfu.ca/iccrc/content/twitter.survey.pdf Shelf Number: 126091 Keywords: Media and CommunicationsPolice BehaviorPolice-Community RelationsSocial Media, Twitter |
Author: Tyler, Tom R. Title: Future Challenges in the Study of Legitimacy and Criminal Justice Summary: Studies conducted over the last several decades have established that legitimacy shapes law-related behavior. They also make it clear that we should broaden our framework for understanding both how to conceptualize and measure legitimacy and for exploring its antecedents and consequences. This chapter reviews recent efforts to address these questions. Details: New Haven, CT: Yale Law School, 2012. 27p. Source: Internet Resource: Yale Law School, Public Law Working Paper No. 264: Accessed September 26, 2012 at: http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2141322 Year: 2012 Country: International URL: http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2141322 Shelf Number: 126460 Keywords: Police BehaviorPolice LegitimacyPolice-Citizen InteractionsPolice-Community RelationsPublic ConfidenceTrust |
Author: Weisburd, David Title: The Police Foundation Displacement and Diffusion Study Summary: Recent studies point to the potential theoretical and practical benefits of focusing police resources on crime hot spots. However, many scholars have noted that such approaches risk displacing crime or disorder to other places where programs are not in place. Although much attention has been paid to the idea of displacement, methodological problems associated with measuring it have often been overlooked. We try to fill these gaps in measurement and understanding of displacement and the related phenomenon of diffusion of crime control benefits. Our main focus is on immediate spatial displacement or diffusion of crime to areas near the targeted sites of an intervention. Do focused crime prevention efforts at places simply result in a movement of offenders to areas nearby targeted sites—do they simply move crime around the corner? Or, conversely, will a crime prevention effort focusing on specific places lead to improvement in areas nearby—what has come to be termed a diffusion of crime control benefits? Our data are drawn from a controlled study of displacement and diffusion in Jersey City, New Jersey. Our findings indicate that, at least for crime markets involving drugs and prostitution, crime does not simply move around the corner. Indeed, this study supports the position that the most likely outcome of such focused crime prevention efforts is a diffusion of crime control benefits to nearby areas. Details: Washington, DC: Police Foundation, 2010. 14p. Source: Police Foundation Report: Internet Resource: Accessed September 30, 2012 at http://www.policefoundation.org/pdf/DisplacementDiffusionPFReport.pdf Year: 2010 Country: United States URL: http://www.policefoundation.org/pdf/DisplacementDiffusionPFReport.pdf Shelf Number: 126519 Keywords: Crime DisplacementCrime Hot SpotsHot SpotsPolice Behavior |
Author: Faull, Andrew Title: Professionalism and the South African Police Service: What is it and how can it help build safer communities? Summary: This paper explores developments in the concept of police professionalism that have emerged in South Africa in recent years. It considers professionalism in relation to comparable historical and contemporary developments in the US and UK, and consolidates the different ways in which these are currently manifesting in South Africa. Adding to the current discourse, it suggests that a professional South African Police Service (SAPS) should include a clearly defined, minimalist mandate. Details: Pretoria, South Africa: Institute for Security Studies, 2012. 24p. Source: Institute for Security Studies Paper No. 240: Internet Resource: Accessed January 13, 2013 at http://www.issafrica.org/uploads/Paper240.pdf Year: 2012 Country: South Africa URL: http://www.issafrica.org/uploads/Paper240.pdf Shelf Number: 127271 Keywords: Police BehaviorPolice MisconductPolice Oversight (South Africa)Police Professionalism (South Africa) |
Author: Mazerolle, Lorraine Title: Legitimacy in Policing: A Systematic Review Summary: Police require voluntary cooperation from the general public to be effective in controlling crime and maintaining order. Research shows that citizens are more likely to comply and cooperate with police and obey the law when they view the police as legitimate. The most common pathway that the police use to increase citizen perceptions of legitimacy is through the use of procedural justice. Procedural justice, as described in the literature, comprises four essential components. These components are citizen participation in the proceedings prior to an authority reaching a decision (or voice), perceived neutrality of the authority in making the decision, whether or not the authority showed dignity and respect toward citizens throughout the interaction, and whether or not the authority conveyed trustworthy motives. Police departments throughout the world are implicitly and explicitly weaving the dialogue of these four principles of procedural justice (treating people with dignity and respect, giving citizens “voice†during encounters, being neutral in decision making, and conveying trustworthy motives) into their operational policing programs and interventions. OBJECTIVES This review synthesizes published and unpublished empirical evidence on the impact of interventions led by the public police to enhance citizen perceptions of police legitimacy. Our objective is to provide a systematic review of the direct and indirect benefits of policing approaches that foster legitimacy in policing that either report an explicit statement that the intervention sought to increase legitimacy or report that there was an application of at least one of the principles of procedural justice: participation, neutrality, dignity/respect, and trustworthy motives. Details: Oslo: Campbell Collaboration, 2013. 147p. Source: Internet Resource: Campbell Systematic Reviews 2013:1; Accessed January 23, 2013 at: http://www.campbellcollaboration.org/library.php Year: 2013 Country: International URL: http://www.campbellcollaboration.org/library.php Shelf Number: 127363 Keywords: Police BehaviorPolice DiscretionPolice LegitimacyPolice-Citizen InteractionsPolice-Community Relations |
Author: Darehshori, Sara Title: Capitol Offense: Police Mishandling of Sexual Assault Cases in the District of Columbia Summary: Sexual assault is the most underreported serious crime in the United States. Victims fear authorities will not believe them and that reporting will only cause them more pain. This fear may be well-grounded. Police are often skeptical of victims and sometimes respond to reports of assaults in ways that are re-traumatizing. Based on extensive data analysis, documents from four government agencies, and more than 150 interviews, Capitol Offense examines the handling of sexual assault cases by the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) of the District of Columbia. The report provides strong evidence that between 2008 and September 2011 the MPD mishandled many complaints of sexual assault in D.C. In several cases, victims who reported sexual assaults to the police never had their case documented, or saw it languish when officers apparently determined without effective investigation that their claims were not credible. Human Rights Watch also documented inappropriate and harmful treatment of victims by MPD, such as questioning victims’ credibility; actively discouraging victims from reporting or providing forensic evidence; or asking victim-blaming questions. Not documenting or investigating reports of sexual assault denies justice to the victims, is a public safety issue, and misrepresents to the public the incidence of sexual assault in D.C. Victims who are not treated appropriately are less likely to cooperate with investigations, further reducing chances that perpetrators will be brought to justice. These problems do not appear to stem from official MPD policy, but rather from practices followed within the MPD that, during the period examined, were inconsistent with departmental policy and post-2008 reforms. Since learning of this report’s findings in May 2012, the MPD has adopted a number of our recommendations and made some policy changes. However, ensuring meaningful and sustained change requires more: it needs a commitment by leadership to change departmental practices, increase accountability and responsiveness, and extend external oversight of reforms to ensure transparency. Details: New York: Human Rights Watch, 2013. 210p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed January 31, 2013 at: http://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/reports/us0113ForUpload_0.pdf Year: 2013 Country: United States URL: http://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/reports/us0113ForUpload_0.pdf Shelf Number: 127464 Keywords: Police BehaviorPolice InvestigationsRapeSex OffendersSex OffensesSexual Assaults (Washington, DC)Sexual Violence |
Author: Graham, John Title: Policing Young Adults: A Scoping Study Summary: This report presents the findings of a small scoping study on the policing of young adults. Its main aim is to highlight key issues and challenges and identify a future agenda for research, policy and practice. It draws on a small number of interviews with young adults, police officers and individual experts (e.g. policy makers, community safety experts and relevant literature). The study focuses on encounters between young adults and the police, particularly those involving stop and search and the night-time economy, and how well the police handle – and are trained to handle – such encounters. Details: London: Police Foundation, 2013. 48p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 5, 2013 at: http://www.police-foundation.org.uk/uploads/catalogerfiles/policing-young-adults/policing_young_adults.pdf Year: 2013 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.police-foundation.org.uk/uploads/catalogerfiles/policing-young-adults/policing_young_adults.pdf Shelf Number: 127846 Keywords: Police BehaviorPolice LegitimacyPolice-Citizen InteractionPolice-Community RelationsPolicing (U.K.)Young Adult Offenders |
Author: New South Wales. Ombudsman Title: Ombudsman Monitoring of the Police Investigation Into the Death of Roberto Laudisio-Curti. A Special Report to Parliament under s.161 of the Police Act 1990 Summary: It is essential that police thoroughly and objectively investigate incidents where a person is killed or seriously injured during policing activities. The community and families of victims reasonably expect that investigators will determine what occurred and appropriately address any identified criminal conduct, officer misconduct or shortcomings in policy, procedures or training. The sudden and tragic death of Roberto Laudisio-Curti on 18 March 2012 raised issues of significant public interest both here in Australia and abroad after it was revealed that Mr Laudisio-Curti — an otherwise fit and healthy 21 year-old — died shortly after 11 officers used physical force, multiple Tasers, OC spray, handcuffs and a baton while attempting to arrest him for allegedly stealing two packets of biscuits from a convenience store. This office decided to actively monitor the police investigation into Mr Laudisio-Curti’s death to provide a level of reassurance to members of Mr Laudisio-Curti’s family and the community that the investigation would be conducted in an appropriate, accountable and transparent manner. The purpose of this report is to outline how police investigated Mr Laudisio-Curti’s death in the lead up to the coronial inquest and to explain how we monitored the police investigation. The report details issues we identified while monitoring the investigation and our concerns about the failure of investigators to adequately identify and address certain issues during the investigation. Details: Sydney: NSW Ombudsman, 2013. 58p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 18, 2013 at: http://www.ombo.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/8395/SR_Ombudsman-monitoring-of-the-police-investigation-into-the-death-of-Roberto-Laudisio-Curti.pdf Year: 2013 Country: Australia URL: http://www.ombo.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/8395/SR_Ombudsman-monitoring-of-the-police-investigation-into-the-death-of-Roberto-Laudisio-Curti.pdf Shelf Number: 127991 Keywords: Police BehaviorPolice Misconduct (Australia)Police TrainingPolice Use of Force |
Author: Neild, Rachel Title: Reducing Ethnic Profiling in the European Union: A Handbook of Good Practices Summary: Ethnic profiling by police in Europe is a widespread form of discrimination. By focusing on appearance rather than behavior, police who engage in ethnic profiling violate basic human rights norms. Ethnic profiling is also inefficient: it leads police to focus on racial and ethnic traits rather than genuine indicators of suspicion, and results in stopping and searching large numbers of innocent people. Fortunately, better alternatives exist— approaches to policing that are more fair and more effective. This handbook documents those approaches and provides guidance for police officers, other law enforcement officials, and policymakers in how to reduce ethnic profiling. The guidelines and case studies set forth in the following pages are intended to help cut down on discrimination and increase police efficacy. Ethnic profiling is the practice of using ethnicity, race, national origin, or religion as a basis for making law enforcement decisions about persons believed to be involved in criminal activity. Ethnic profiling can result from discriminatory decision-making by individual law enforcement officers, or from law enforcement policies and practices that have a disproportionate impact on specific groups without any legitimate law enforcement purpose. It is often the result of beliefs deeply-ingrained in individual law enforcement officers and even whole institutions and the societies in which they operate. While not a new phenomenon, ethnic profiling has increased in the European Union in recent years because of two factors: (1) rising concern about illegal immigration into and movement of undocumented migrants within the European Union, and (2) the threat posed by terrorism in the aftermath of September 11th terrorist attack in the United States and the subsequent March 2003 terrorist bombings in Madrid and July 2005 bombings in London. These trends are described in detail in the Open Society Justice Initiative’s 2009 report Ethnic Profiling in the European Union: Pervasive, Ineffective, and Discriminatory. The United Nations, the Council of Europe, and the European Commission have highlighted ethnic profiling as a particular area of concern with respect to discriminatory policing practices. International human rights monitoring bodies have likewise highlighted ethnic profiling as an area of concern. The first step in addressing ethnic profiling is to admit its existence and recognize its discriminatory nature. The next step is deciding what to do about it. The final step is implementing new policies and practices that reduce ethnic profiling and replace it with more reasoned and effective procedures. Reducing Ethnic Profiling in the European Union aims to assist in this process by offering diagnostic questions, providing ideas and models of proven good practice, and identifying challenges and impediments to reform. It is the result of a thorough review of existing laws and relevant academic literature, field testing of specific reforms, and extensive interactions with state authorities, law enforcement agencies, civil society organizations, and local ethnic minority communities across the EU. Ethnic profiling is not an easy issue to resolve. Law enforcement agencies may feel that a focus on ethnic profiling unfairly singles them out as racist. For ethnic minority persons and communities, discussions of ethnic profiling highlight stereotypes about minorities and offending. But while discussions of discrimination and racism are never easy, reducing ethnic profiling can be a win-win proposition that benefits law enforcement agencies and the many communities they serve. Both research and first-hand experience—exemplified in the case studies throughout this handbook—demonstrate that adopting good practices not only supports fairer policing but can also improve the effectiveness of law enforcement. This handbook provides a wide-ranging review of current efforts to reduce ethnic profiling and support non-discriminatory law enforcement. Its numerous case studies examine: non-discriminatory standards established in legal instruments and operational guidelines, research and monitoring methodologies, institutional practices that create non-discriminatory workplaces that reflect the societies they serve, and models of community outreach and engagement. The case studies and explanatory text aim to provide clear and practical support to all those seeking to understand the dynamics and reduce the frequency of ethnic profiling. Taken together, they offer a holistic approach to law enforcement that does not discriminate. Details: New York: Open Society Foundations, 2012. 232p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 30, 2013 at: http://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/sites/default/files/reducing-ep-in-EU-12172012_0.pdf Year: 2012 Country: Europe URL: http://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/sites/default/files/reducing-ep-in-EU-12172012_0.pdf Shelf Number: 128178 Keywords: DiscriminationEthnicityPolice BehaviorRacial Profiling |
Author: Dharmapala, Dhammika Title: Punitive Police? Agency Costs, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Procedure Summary: Criminal law enforcement depends on the actions of public agents such as police officers, but there is no standard economic model of police as public agents. We seek to remedy this deficiency by offering an agency model of police behavior. We begin by explaining why the standard contracting solutions are unlikely to work. Instead, we follow recent literature exploring intrinsic motivation and posit heterogeneity in the preferences of potential agents. Drawing on experimental evidence on punishment preferences (so-called “altruistic punishmentâ€), in which subjects reveal a preference for punishing wrongdoers, our model identifies circumstances in which “punitive†individuals (with stronger-than-average punishment preferences) will self-select into law enforcement jobs that offer the opportunity to punish (or facilitate the punishment of) wrongdoers. Such “punitive†agents will accept a lower salary and be less likely to shirk, but create agency costs associated with their excessive zeal (relative to the public’s preferences) in searching, seizing, and punishing suspects. Under plausible assumptions, the public chooses to hire punitive police agents, while submitting them to monitoring by other agents (such as the judiciary) with average punishment preferences. Thus, two kinds of agents are better than one. We explore various implications for police shirking, corruption, and the content of the criminal procedure rights that the judiciary enforces. Details: Chicago: University of Chicago Coase-Sandor Institute for Law & Economics, 2013. 55p. Source: Internet Resource: University of Chicago Coase-Sandor Institute for Law & Economics Research Paper No. 644 : Accessed June 26, 2013 at: http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2278597 Year: 2013 Country: United States URL: http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2278597 Shelf Number: 129167 Keywords: Criminal ProcedurePolice BehaviorPolice MisconductPolicing |
Author: Police Executive Research Forum Title: Civil Rights Investigations of Local Police: Lessons Learned Summary: On July 24, 2012, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder announced a plan to overhaul the New Orleans Police Department that was broader in scope and more detailed than any other consent decree the DOJ had issued since it was given the authority 18 years earlier to investigate local police departments. The 2012 New Orleans consent decree is expected to last at least five years and cost more than $11 million, though the agreement likely will take longer and cost more to carry out, if recent patterns of DOJ involvement with local law enforcement agencies are any indication. The shape and substance of recently issued consent decrees, in Seattle as well as New Orleans, share little resemblance to the first one the DOJ obtained involving a major metropolitan police force. These consent decrees were made possible by the 1994 Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act, which gives DOJ’s Civil Rights Division authority to investigate state and local law enforcement agencies that it believes have unconstitutional policies or engage in unconstitutional patterns or practices of conduct. The law is intended to address systemic issues, rather than individual complaints. The alleged misconduct cannot be an isolated incident. And there is no private right of action under the 1994 law; only the Justice Department is given authority to launch investigations and litigation under this statute. The law arms DOJ with the authority to file civil lawsuits against local governments in order to force them to adopt reforms. However, cities typically settle these cases before they go to trial or before a lawsuit is filed. More than 25 police departments have experienced some form of DOJ involvement in the past two decades. When Pittsburgh—the first major case—came under a consent decree in 1997, the mandate focused on two particular areas of policing, produced generalized requirements, and lasted a relatively tidy five years. Some later investigations and reform processes have taken 10 years or more. But one constant in the DOJ’s oversight of police departments accused of discriminatory and unconstitutional activity is the primary types of wrongdoing that have triggered federal involvement: improper use of force by police, unlawful stops and searches, and biased policing. That’s what recently brought DOJ attention to police departments in New Orleans and Seattle. That’s what initiated DOJ involvement in Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, Detroit and Cincinnati in the early 2000s. And that’s what brought Pittsburgh under DOJ’s watch in 1997. Details: Washington, DC: PERF, 2013. 60p. Source: Internet Resource: Critical Issues in Policing Series: Accessed July 18, 2013 at: http://policeforum.org/library/critical-issues-in-policing-series/CivilRightsInvestigationsofLocalPolice.pdf Year: 2013 Country: United States URL: http://policeforum.org/library/critical-issues-in-policing-series/CivilRightsInvestigationsofLocalPolice.pdf Shelf Number: 129450 Keywords: Civil RightsPolice BehaviorPolice MisconductPolice Use of Force (U.S.) |
Author: Ofer, Udi Title: Stop-and-Frisk: A First Look. Six Months of Data on Stop-and-Frisk Practices in Newark Summary: This analysis is based on six months of reports, the full second half of 2013, released by the Newark Police Department under the new Transparency Policy, and focuses on the stop-and-frisk data components of the policy. The study compares Newark to its close neighbor to the east, New York City, whose stop-and-frisk practices have been the subject of much criticism and media attention. We made this comparison in order to put into perspective the six months of data reported by the Newark Police Department. While six months of stop-and-frisk data is insufficient to draw definitive conclusions about the Newark Police Department's stop-and-frisk practices, the ACLU-NJ believes that the initial concerns raised by these data are strong enough to warrant corrective actions now. This study has three primary findings on stop-and-frisk activities in Newark from July to December 2013: (1) High volume of stop-and-frisks. Newark police officers use stop-and-frisk with troubling frequency. In Newark today, police officers make 91 stops per 1,000 residents. Last year in New York City, the NYPD made 24 stops per 1,000 residents. In the final six months of 2013, the NYPD made approximately 8 stops per 1,000 residents, compared to Newark's 91 stops per 1,000 residents during the same period. (2) Black Newarkers bear the disproportionate brunt of stop-and-frisks. Although black Newarkers represent 52 percent of the city's population, they make up 75 percent of all stops. The disparities between stops of black Newarkers and white Newarkers are probably even higher than the data currently reveals given that the Newark Police Department did not report data on stops of Latino residents during the six months analyzed in this report, meaning that the number of white individuals stopped in the data is likely inflated. (3) The majority of people stopped are innocent. Twenty-five percent of people stopped by the Newark Police Department are arrested or issued a summons. In other words, three out of four people stopped in Newark, including many who face interrogation and a frisk, have been determined by the police to be innocent of any wrongdoing. While such an innocence rate is lower than in New York City, this high rate of innocence still raises significant concerns about police department overuse of its stop-and-frisk authority. The study concludes with a series of recommendations for greater compliance with the Newark Police Department's Transparency Policy and for ensuring that stop-and-frisk abuses do not take place, including by establishing permanent civilian oversight over the police department through a strong Civilian Complaint Review Board and Inspector General's Office. An Appendix is also included with additional data on stop-and-frisk activities in Newark, including by precinct, age, and sex. Details: Newark, NJ: American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey, 2014. 23p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 21, 2014 at: http://www.aclu-nj.org/files/8113/9333/6064/2014_02_25_nwksnf.pdf Year: 2014 Country: United States URL: http://www.aclu-nj.org/files/8113/9333/6064/2014_02_25_nwksnf.pdf Shelf Number: 132104 Keywords: Police BehaviorPolice DiscretionRacial DisparitiesRacial Profiling in Law EnforcementStop and SearchStop-and-Frisk |
Author: American Civil Liberties Union Title: War Comes Home: The Excessive Militarization of American Policing Summary: All across the country, heavily armed SWAT teams are raiding people's homes in the middle of the night, often just to search for drugs. It should enrage us that people have needlessly died during these raids, that pets have been shot, and that homes have been ravaged. Our neighborhoods are not war-zones, and police officers should not be treating us like wartime enemies. Any yet, every year, billions of dollars' worth of military equipment flows from the federal government to state and local police departments. Departments use these wartime weapons in everyday policing, especially to fight the wasteful and failed drug war, which has unfairly targeted people of color. Details: New York: ACLU, 2014. 98p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 10, 2014 at: https://www.aclu.org/sites/default/files/assets/jus14-warcomeshome-report-web-rel1.pdf Year: 2014 Country: United States URL: https://www.aclu.org/sites/default/files/assets/jus14-warcomeshome-report-web-rel1.pdf Shelf Number: 132638 Keywords: Police BehaviorPolice RaidsPolice Use of ForcePolicing (U.S.) |
Author: White, Michael D. Title: Police Officer Body-Worn Cameras: Assessing the Evidence Summary: Body-worn cameras represent the latest technological innovation for law enforcement. The perceived benefits of these cameras are far-ranging and touch on core elements of the police mission, including enhanced police legitimacy, reduced use of force, and fewer citizen complaints. Criticism of the technology centers on equally important issues, such as violations of citizen and officer privacy, and on enormous investments in terms of cost and resources. Unfortunately, there have been few balanced discussions of body-worn cameras and even fewer empirical studies of the technology in the field. As such, Police Officer Body-Worn Cameras: Assessing the Evidence provides a thorough review of the merits and drawbacks regarding the technology and assesses the available empirical evidence on each of those claims. Overall, this publication articulates the key questions surrounding the technology and provides a framework for informed decision-making regarding adoption and empirical evaluation of body-worn cameras. Details: Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, OJP Diagnostic Center, 2014. 60p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 9, 2014 at: https://ojpdiagnosticcenter.org/sites/default/files/spotlight/download/Police%20Officer%20Body-Worn%20Cameras.pdf Year: 2014 Country: United States URL: https://ojpdiagnosticcenter.org/sites/default/files/spotlight/download/Police%20Officer%20Body-Worn%20Cameras.pdf Shelf Number: 133180 Keywords: Body-Worn Cameras Camera Technology Law Enforcement Technology Police BehaviorPolice LegitimacyPolice Technology Police Use of Force |
Author: All Party Parliamentary Group for Children Title: "It's All About Trust": Building good relationships between children and police Summary: During this inquiry, the All Party Parliamentary Group for Children took evidence from children and young people, organisations working with children and young people, and representatives from police forces across the country. The inquiry heard that children and young people's attitudes towards the police are often characterised by feelings of mistrust and sometimes fear. The majority of those giving evidence were clear that more work is needed if there are to be strong and positive relationships between children, young people and the police. There are examples of good practice, reflecting the work of police leaders and officers who are dedicated to improving the way they work with children. However, these examples of good practice are not replicated across the country. Key findings Section one of this report summarises the views and experiences of children and young people involved with the police, based on evidence given to the inquiry by children and young people themselves and those who work with them. Section two examines current police practice with children and young people, and the policy and legislative framework that governs the work of police forces. Overall, the inquiry found that: There is a lack of trust in the police among many children and young people. Some children and young people fear the police. Encounters between the two groups are often characterised by poor and unconstructive communication and a lack of mutual respect. Experts told the APPGC that it takes time and hard work to change these ingrained attitudes and behaviours. It is critical that in every encounter with the police, under 18s are be treated as children first, with all officers having regard for their welfare, safety and well-being, as required under sections 10 and 11 of the Children Act 2004 and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. Certain groups of children and young people, many of whom are likely to have higher levels of contact with the police, share similar feelings and attitudes. Children in care, who are over-represented in the youth justice system, can have negative early experiences of the police and do not always get the support and protection they need. The additional vulnerabilities of children with special educational needs, a language or communication difficulty, or mental health needs can be overlooked or exacerbated in encounters with the police. The way in which the police treat children who have been trafficked or experienced sexual abuse was described as a 'postcode lottery' - these children are often confused by police processes and report being treated with a lack of respect. First contact with the police is important in shaping children and young people's attitudes, yet for a significant number of children and young people this experience is a negative one. There are examples of positive school and community initiatives that help children and young people encounter the police in a positive context. However, for many, the first contact will be as a victim or suspected offender. Therefore the way in which the police carry out processes - such as the way they use stop and search or the way they treat children who are arrested and detained - is vital for building trust and respect. Many children and young people will first have contact with the police when they are stopped and searched. While young people understand why the police need to use stop and search, they feel they are stopped too often and for insufficient reason, that they are not treated with respect, and that the police do not explain the process or reason for the stop. For those who are arrested and detained, the experience can be traumatic and upsetting, with very vulnerable children often exposed to a space designed for adults, usually without separate or designated facilities for children. Some children and young people are involved in police initiatives through their schools and communities, such as Safer School Partnerships or Voluntary Police Cadets, which help break down barriers and negative perceptions. These examples of positive engagement are, however, not found in all schools or communities and are being threatened by reductions in police budgets. There are examples of police forces which work hard to listen to and engage with children and young people in a variety of contexts, and to treat them, first and foremost, as children in all aspects of the police process. However, these positive approaches are not reflected across the country. Greater effort is needed nationally to assist local police forces in identifying and implementing good practice examples from other parts of the country. Training and professional development for police officers should enable them to understand how they can improve their practice to meet the needs of children and young people. The policy and legislative framework governing the work of the police does not pay sufficient attention to the needs of children and young people or address the specific considerations of working with this age group. In particular: o the rights and specific needs of children must be reflected in guidance relating to the stop and search process, and searches should only take place, particularly on younger children, when absolutely necessary; o 17 year-olds should have the same rights and entitlements as younger children in legislation and guidance relating to police processes; o police forces should have designated or separate custody facilities for children and young people, and provide access to youth liaison and diversion to identify and address needs; o a focused effort is needed to ensure that all children and young people who are refused bail after being charged are transferred to local authority accommodation, as is required by law; and o nationally endorsed guidance and protocols should be put in place for the purpose of reducing the criminalisation of children in care. Details: London: All Party Parliamentary Group for Children, 2014. 50p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 30, 2014 at: http://www.ncb.org.uk/media/1164355/appgc_children_and_police_report_-_final.pdf Year: 2014 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.ncb.org.uk/media/1164355/appgc_children_and_police_report_-_final.pdf Shelf Number: 133842 Keywords: Police BehaviorPolice Legitimacy (U.K.)Police-Citizen InteractionsPublic AttitudesPublic Opinion |
Author: Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) Title: Review of the IPCC's work on investigating deaths: final report Summary: In 2012 the IPCC began a review into the way that we investigate deaths following police contact, with the aim of identifying and implementing changes to ensure that our work in this key area is: - thorough, transparent and effective - sensitive to the needs and expectations of bereaved families - able to build and sustain public confidence We have consulted widely with those affected - in particular those who have been critical of our approach to this important work or of the outcomes of our investigations. We published a progress report in September 2013, detailing the issues and concerns raised, and our response to them. This final report summarises all that we were told, our responses, and most importantly the actions we have taken or are planning to take. Details: London: IPCC, 2014. 111p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 20, 2014 at: http://www.ipcc.gov.uk/sites/default/files/Documents/deaths_review/Review_of_the_IPCCs_work_in_investigating_deaths_2014.pdf Year: 2014 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.ipcc.gov.uk/sites/default/files/Documents/deaths_review/Review_of_the_IPCCs_work_in_investigating_deaths_2014.pdf Shelf Number: 134180 Keywords: Deadly ForcePolice BehaviorPolice EffectivenessPolice LegitimacyPolice Use of Force (U.K.) |
Author: Lande, Brian Jacob Title: Bodies of Force: The Social Organization of Force, Suffering, and Honor in Policing Summary: This dissertation is an ethnographic description of how police recruits learn to use force. I became a police recruit at two academies in order examine the process whereby police recruits learn to deploy calibrated physical force as a body technique (Mauss 1979) central to policing. Body techniques are traditional, technical and efficacious ways of using the body that are embedded in contexts of social value and symbolic significance. Police force, as calibrated body technique, is social: they pre-exist and outlive individual recruits; have to be learned and passed on from staff to recruits; they are to a degree constraining as recruits encounter social pressures to use their bodies in institutionally appropriate ways (as their bodily practices are praised, rewarded, evaluated, made fun of, and stigmatized). A police officers forceful bodily techniques are also social in the sense that they differ from how groups like boxers, soldiers, or gang members use their bodies forcefully. In other words, groups create forceful body techniques that inculcate and give meaning to the technique as well as delimit the boundaries of the group. I challenge the prevalent view of police force as deriving from attitudes and values by focusing on force as an embodied action. Police force - pursuing, command presence, searching and seizing, handcuffing, shooting, swinging a baton - is an intensely corporeal activity; and in tensely unfolding social encounters, new police officers are expected to react with skilled use of their bodies to the dangers and conflicts that they face. A police officer's embodied forceful acts are not the result of conscious deliberation but follow from practical reasons only to later be translated into articulate, verbal accounts after the fact, e.g. during report writing or the demand from supervisors to justify past actions. For police recruits learning to understand force isn't an act of "comprehension" so much as of "apprehension" by apprehending hands. "Knowing" how to be forceful is just being able to do it. Theoretically approaching police force as a calibrated bodily technique allows us to bring together the subjective life of the recruit's body with its objective social situation. Body techniques are subjective in the sense that they are forms of knowledge and understanding. But these same techniques are also objective in that they are social facts characterized by a social distribution and origin and they are encountered as external constraints, meaning that recruits feel compelled to use their bodies in certain ways. I also don't treat the forceful skills as only technical. Recruits do invest themselves in forceful practices as preparation for often-inflated perceived dangers. But I show that more importantly, recruits embrace police force because, in the daily experience of the academy, having a forceful body - a body imbued with fighting potential, strength, speed, and physical skill- confers recognition and respect from the academy staff and from peers. To be overweight, poor with a firearm, bad at driving, unable to keep up on a run, or seemingly incapable of tolerating pain, is to be relegated to a stigmatized status by staff and peers. By attending to how body techniques are learned I discovered a central conflict in the academies use of force training: the perceived need to overcome recruits' own "normal" and therefore pacific dispositions. Since most recruits are new-comers to using their bodies forcefully, there was persistent talk and training regarding how to make seemingly pacified recruits forceful but not too forceful. This was because recruits were initially incompetent in using force and academy staff had to make force "explicit" so recruits would "get it." In attempting to balance the need to make pacified recruits forceful and at the same time temper the use-of-force, I show how recruits sensibilities toward the use of force are honed, affect economies cultivated, and calibrated force is routinzed as a skillful response to social encounters. The introduction, chapter one, defines the problem of learning to be forceful. It shows how being forceful is a central concern of the academy and central to the very definition of competence. Chapter two reviews the literature on police academies, police socialization, and police culture to reveal large gaps in the literature. The research on academies has neglected the question of how recruits learn force and has been preoccupied with how police recruits learn to see themselves as members of a professional group. The literature on police socialization and has favored ruminations over how police officers talk and think about force, often long after it has occurred. I respond to the literature by outlining how Mauss's notion of bodily technique and Bourdieu's notion of habitus can fill in the gap and give a more complete picture of police culture and how it is learned. I also examine how other social groups provide objective social contexts in which subjective bodily knowledge is collectively shaped. Chapter three outlines the methods and procedures I used to conduct this study. It also describes the recruit classes and the training staff of the two academies I studied. In chapters four and five I examine how academy staff try to teach recruits use their bodies forcefully. In chapter four I begin by examining how recruits learn their hand to "search and seize." Recruits use their hands more than any other part of their body, other than their mouths, to be forceful. Because forceful use of the hands is routine, it is an ideal place to begin examining how recruits learn to use their bodies to exert situational dominance over another using their body. Academy staff refer to this colloquially as "control." In chapter five I describe in detail how police recruits learn to use deadly force with their firearms. Unlike skilled use of hands firearms are rarely used by police but intense value is placed on mastering shootings skills. I examine how a particular technique of shooting, "double tapping" is learned as a bodily technique. Once this bodily technique is mastered as a system of postures and coordinated movements it is normalized and made familiar as a skillful bodily response to perceived "threats." I argue that lethal force becomes "normal force" when it is grasped by recruits in a practical mode like any skill. In chapters three and four I also examine how staff teach recruits learn what is a "threat." While chapters four and five are about how recruits learn to deploy force, in chapters six and seven I look at how recruits are "hardened" in preparation for potentially violent and uncertain encounters on "the street." In chapter six I focus on daily negative rites like physical training that imbue recruits with a valued social body. This body is cultivated within a symbolic economy based on recognition and respect on the one hand and shame and insult on the other. The suffering of physical training also serves as a daily ordeal for recruits to overcome and that helps mark the police world as a separate sacred and heroic world that stands above the profane world recruits came from. In chapter seven I focus on an episodic negative rite, "Chemical Agents Day." During this rite recruits are expected to overcome the intense pain of exposure to chemical agents, with poise, in order to demonstrate their character. But in addition to be a test of moral self worthy by way of bodily self-control, the rite functions as a way of building a deep visceral bonding of the recruits to one another through a shared sense of pain and humiliation. Recruits also are bonded to their trainers as they overcome their suffering with the help of the very trainers who exposed them to physical pain and vulnerability. In the final empirical chapter, chapter eight, I provide one in depth interview with a recruit. This interview is important because it provides a sense of how a fairly typical recruit experienced the discipline, shame, as well as pride in bodily and emotional self-mastery. In particular we get to hear how a recruit thought and felt about the stressful and uncertain environment created by the academy staff in order toughen up recruits. Details: Berkeley, CA: University of California, Berkeley, 2010. 234p. Source: Internet Resource: Dissertation: Accessed January 31, 2015 at: http://escholarship.org/uc/item/4vk995z4 Year: 2010 Country: United States URL: http://escholarship.org/uc/item/4vk995z4 Shelf Number: 134506 Keywords: Police BehaviorPolice Deadly ForcePolice RecruitsPolice TrainingPolice Use of Force (U.S.) |
Author: Newburn, Tim Title: Literature review - Police integrity and corruption Summary: There is a sizeable body of literature that attempts to wrestle with the thorny issue of how 'corruption' might be defined. There is little need to review it all here, though the matter cannot be ignored entirely. What follows is a brief outline of why the issue of definition is of some concern, and an outline of the key terms used throughout this short review. In short, there have been two main ways of approaching the issue of corruption. One looks at the different forms of behaviour and attempts to distinguish those actions that might be considered corrupt. The second seeks to construct a definition that can be used to separate corrupt from non-corrupt acts. In truth neither is entirely satisfactory. The problem is that corruption is fundamentally an ethical issue. The simple but uncomfortable fact is that complex ethical problems are an inherent part of policing. The consequence is that complete clarity around conduct is impossible. However, recognising this, and being prepared to discuss openly the problems and the complexities necessarily involved in policing, is an important part of the process of developing coherent administrative policy responses to such issues. Details: London: HMIC, 2015. 48p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 5, 2015 at: https://www.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmic/wp-content/uploads/pic-literature-review.pdf Year: 2015 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://www.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmic/wp-content/uploads/pic-literature-review.pdf Shelf Number: 134552 Keywords: Police BehaviorPolice Corruption (U.K.)Police EthicsPolice Misconduct |
Author: Miller, Lindsay Title: Implementing a Body-Worn Camera Program: Recommendations and Lessons Learned Summary: Over the past decade, advances in the technologies used by law enforcement agencies have been accelerating at an extremely rapid pace. Many police executives are making decisions about whether to acquire technologies that did not exist when they began their careers - technologies like automated license plate readers, gunshot detection systems, facial recognition software, predictive analytics systems, communications systems that bring data to officers' laptops or handheld devices, GPS applications, and social media to investigate crimes and communicate with the public. For many police executives, the biggest challenge is not deciding whether to adopt one particular technology but rather finding the right mix of technologies for a given jurisdiction based on its crime problems, funding levels, and other factors. Finding the best mix of technologies, however, must begin with a thorough understanding of each type of technology. Police leaders who have deployed body-worn cameras1 say there are many benefits associated with the devices. They note that body-worn cameras are useful for documenting evidence; officer training; preventing and resolving complaints brought by members of the public; and strengthening police transparency, performance, and accountability. In addition, given that police now operate in a world in which anyone with a cell phone camera can record video footage of a police encounter, body-worn cameras help police departments ensure events are also captured from an officer's perspective. Scott Greenwood of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) said at the September 2013 conference: The average interaction between an officer and a citizen in an urban area is already recorded in multiple ways. The citizen may record it on his phone. If there is some conflict happening, one or more witnesses may record it. Often there are fixed security cameras nearby that capture the interaction. So the thing that makes the most sense-if you really want accountability both for your officers and for the people they interact with - is to also have video from the officer's perspective. The use of body-worn cameras also raises important questions about privacy and trust. What are the privacy issues associated with recording victims of crime? How can officers maintain positive community relationships if they are ordered to record almost every type of interaction with the public? Will members of the public find it off-putting to be told by an officer, "I am recording this encounter," particularly if the encounter is a casual one? Do body-worn cameras also undermine the trust between officers and their superiors within the police department? In addition to these overarching issues, police leaders must also consider many practical policy issues, including the significant financial costs of deploying cameras and storing recorded data, training requirements, and rules and systems that must be adopted to ensure that body-worn camera video cannot be accessed for improper reasons. Details: Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, 2014. 92p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 11, 2015 at: http://www.justice.gov/iso/opa/resources/472014912134715246869.pdf Year: 2014 Country: United States URL: http://www.justice.gov/iso/opa/resources/472014912134715246869.pdf Shelf Number: 134908 Keywords: Body-Worn CamerasLaw Enforcement Technology (U.S.)Police AccountabilityPolice BehaviorPolice TechnologyPolice-Citizen InteractionsPolice-Community RelationsVideo Technology |
Author: Murphy, Joshua John Title: Beyond a Split-Second: An Exploratory Study of Police Use of Force and Use of Force Training in Canada Summary: The authority to use force, including lethal force is a defining feature of the police profession. A police officer's decision to use force carries potentially significant consequences for all involved and is arguably the most heavily scrutinized aspect of modern police work, despite its rare use. Situations involving the use of force are often characterized by a rapidly evolving scenario, complex environment, considerable uncertainty, and a potentially high degree of fear. These factors make it extremely challenging for officers to decide when and how to act. The high stakes nature of police use of force events and the level of scrutiny that the use of force attracts places a premium on the quality of training that officers are given, both in terms of content and application. Yet, in spite of the importance ascribed to training, the research in this area is limited, particularly from a Canadian perspective. What is known about use of force training comes largely from research and experience in the U.S.A., a significantly different policing environment than Canada. Using a qualitative research framework, this thesis seeks to fill the gap in Canadian use of force research and shed light on recruit and in-service training that is given to police officers. Using in-depth, semi-structured interviews with ten Canadian police academy and department-based use of force instructors, this study explores the factors involved in police use of force situations and how use of force training prepares officers for use of force events in Canada. The findings indicate that while current police training is evolving to better prepare officers for the realities of police use of force encounters, it is nonetheless limited by a number of factors. These factors are identified and discussed noting the implications for police services, policing scholars, and police oversight bodies. Details: Burnaby, BC: Simon Fraser University, 2014. 130p. Source: Internet Resource: Thesis: Accessed March 12, 2015 at: http://summit.sfu.ca/item/14482 Year: 2014 Country: Canada URL: http://summit.sfu.ca/item/14482 Shelf Number: 134912 Keywords: Decision MakingPolice BehaviorPolice TrainingPolice Use of Force (Canada) |
Author: Mateescu, Alexandra Title: Police Body-Worn Cameras Summary: Police Body-Worn Cameras breaks down what's known - and not known - about the promises, perils, and potential best practices around police body-worn cameras. Both law enforcement and civil rights advocates are excited by the potential of body-worn cameras to improve community policing and safety, but there is no empirical research to conclusively suggest that these will reduce the deaths of black male civilians in encounters with police. There are some documented milder benefits evident from small pilot studies, such as more polite interactions between police and civilians when both parties are aware they are being recorded, and decreased fraudulent complaints made against officers. Many uncertainties about best practices of body-worn camera adoption and use remain, including when the cameras should record, what should be stored and retained, who should have access to the footage, and what policies should determine the release of footage to the public. As pilot and permanent body-worn camera programs are implemented, it is important to ask questions about how they can be best used to achieve their touted goals. How will the implementation of these programs be assessed for their efficacy in achieving accountability goals? What are the best policies to have in place to support those goals? Details: New York: Data & Society Research Institute, 2015. 40p. Source: Internet Resource: Working Paper: Accessed March 12, 2015 at: http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2569481 Year: 2015 Country: United States URL: http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2569481 Shelf Number: 134919 Keywords: Body-Worn CamerasLaw Enforcement Technology (U.S.) Police Accountability Police Behavior Police Technology Police-Citizen Interactions Police-Community Relations SurveillanceVideo Technology |
Author: Alpert, Geoffrey P. Title: Measuring the impact of organisational culture and climate on police officers' decisions and behaviour Summary: The behaviour of police officers, particularly those at the operational frontline, attracts a high level of public scrutiny with frequent calls for increased accountability. The results of negative behaviour, or perceived faulty or biased decision-making, can affect the reputation of the whole organization and leave an enduring impression upon the public. Understanding the influences on police officer decision-making and behaviour, particularly those that an organization can change or control, can lead to optimal behaviour, improved police effectiveness and enhanced public confidence. This Working Paper looks at the police as an organization, and the influences on positive and negative officer decision making and behaviour, specifically detailing concepts of organizational culture and climate. Approaches to the measurement of these are outlined and the discussion concludes by proposing a mixed-method approach to understanding police culture to improve police behaviour. The behaviours of police vehicle accidents and the use of force are presented as examples to illustrate the approach Details: Mt Gravatt, QLD. : ARC Centre of Excellence in Policing and Security, 2012. 10p. Source: Internet Resource: Working Paper, Issue 1: Accessed March 19, 2015 at: http://www.ceps.edu.au/CMS/Uploads/file/GAlpert_JRojek_LPorter_issue1.pdf Year: 2012 Country: International URL: http://www.ceps.edu.au/CMS/Uploads/file/GAlpert_JRojek_LPorter_issue1.pdf Shelf Number: 134974 Keywords: Police AccountabilityPolice BehaviorPolice CulturePolice Decision-MakingPolice Effectiveness |
Author: Fachner, George Title: Collaborative Reform Initiative - An Assessment of Deadly Force in the Philadelphia Police Department Summary: In 2013, in response to an increase in officer-involved shootings, Philadelphia Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey requested technical assistance from the COPS Office. Launched in November 2013, the Collaborative Reform Initiative in Philadelphia focuses on the use of deadly force over a seven-year period. The COPS Office's training and technical assistance provider for the assessment, CNA, reviewed hundreds of departmental policies, manuals and training plans; conducted 164 interviews with community members and department civilian and sworn personnel; facilitated focus groups with city and department stakeholders; and directly observed operations, including the use of force review board hearings of 20 officer involved shooting incidents. Through its 48 findings, the assessment identifies serious deficiencies in the department's use of force policies and training, including a failure to maintain a certified field training program; deficient, inconsistent supervision and operational control of officer involved shooting investigations and crime scenes; and oversight and accountability practices in need of improvement, the most notable being the need for the department to fully cooperate with the Police Advisory Commission. To address these issues, the report prescribes 91 recommendations to help the department improve with respect to the use of force and implement industry best practices. The COPS Office will work with the Philadelphia Police Department over the next 18 months to help them implement these recommendations and will provide two progress reports during this time. Details: Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, 2015. 188p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 25, 2015 at: http://ric-zai-inc.com/Publications/cops-w0753-pub.pdf Year: 2015 Country: United States URL: http://ric-zai-inc.com/Publications/cops-w0753-pub.pdf Shelf Number: 135005 Keywords: Deadly ForcePolice BehaviorPolice BrutalityPolice DiscretionPolice MisconductPolice Use of Force (Philadelphia) |
Author: Owens, Catherine Title: The Essex Body Worn Video Trial: The impact of Body Worn Video on criminal justice outcomes of domestic abuse incidents Summary: Some early evaluation work undertaken in England and Wales has shown promising evidence that body worn video (BWV) can increase the proportion of criminal justice (CJ) outcomes in domestic abuse (DA) incidents, but the findings were limited. The randomised controlled trial (RCT) reported in this paper tested the impact of BWV on the CJ outcomes for domestic abuse incidents in Essex. The intervention was the issuing of BWV to officers who provided first response to incidents of DA. In total, 80 officers were randomly assigned to the treatment group (to wear body worn video cameras) - 70 eventually wore the cameras - and 238 were randomly assigned to the control group (to not receive the cameras). Randomly assigning officers to the intervention group provides a strong basis on which to draw inferences regarding the effects of BWV. Over the four month period of the trial, 308 Essex response officers attended 30,480 incidents, of which 7,609 where domestic abuse incidents; 25% of all incidents attended. Of these, at least one officer wearing a body worn camera attended 2,761 incidents (36% of all domestic abuse incidents attended). The CJ outcomes of the DA incidents attended by treatment and control group officers were analysed - both at the incident and officer level, to see if there were any difference from the presence of a camera in the outcome of the incidents. In addition, an officer survey and officer interviews were conducted to understand why any changes in outcome may have occurred and context. It was not possible to obtain victims' views, or data about the involvement of the victims or witnesses at any stage in the investigation or prosecution. The trial did not look at potential impact of BWV on victim's feelings of fairness and confidence in the way the police handled the incident, or their views on progression of the incident through the Criminal Justice System using BWV footage. Results -- There was no significant difference between whether a camera was present or not in the rate at which incidents resulted in a sanction detection (SD). However, there was evidence to suggest that use of the camera affected the type of SD. A significantly higher proportion of incidents attended by at least one officer wearing a camera resulted in one or more criminal charges rather than another SD outcome (81% of the sanction detections were charges in the treatment group compared to 72% in the control group). This finding was supported by a 5% difference in the mean for individual officer charging rates in the two groups (75% vs 80%), which although not statistically significant2 matches the pattern of findings from incidents. There was no evidence to suggest the cameras work differently for different types of officer, victim or area. However, the presence of the camera increases the probability of an individual being charged (as opposed to other forms of detection), at all risk levels graded by the control room, but the effect was most noticeable for the lower risk cases. There were no differences in incidents being recorded as crimes, or rates of arrest, and too few cases to identify impact on guilty pleas and sentencing at this time. The intention of the trial was to test the impact of BWV on CJ outcomes for DA incidents, but low usage of the cameras by officers may have had a large effect on the CJ outcomes explored in this trial. During the trial, only one in six officers surveyed reported using the camera for all DA incidents, as required by policy, and there were significant practical limitations with the equipment. This trial shows an impact of BWV in its complex 'real world' setting that enables an understanding of when and for whom it is effective. This study was, therefore, an effectiveness study, not a study of how BWV could work in ideal settings - which would need translating to the context to which it is applied. This distinction is important because interventions that lead to significant improvements in 'ideal' settings do not necessarily deliver the same results in the 'real world'. This trial found that BWV was not used as it was intended, but a difference was still seen. One explanation for the charging results could be the effect of expectations of being part of a trial, but the officer interviews and survey gave an insight into the reported difference the cameras made to their response to DA incidents. Officer Experience -- Half of those officers interviewed stated an increased confidence in getting convictions with the cameras, as they felt the cameras gave more detail than a statement could capture. The evidence, interviewed officers reported, was especially useful if it was a recording of the initial account, as it would often capture emotion and any injuries - more accurately reflecting the impact of the incident. An added benefit of the cameras was that often victims reportedly gave a great deal of information about the incident, or appeared when the officers arrived at the scene with visible injuries or clearly emotional, that they felt provided useful evidence at a later stage, particularly for evidence led prosecutions. The interviewed officers' comments all support the increased proportion of charges found. Officers interviewed felt the cameras increased accountability and made them more mindful of their behaviour. While some comments suggested officers' would be more likely to arrest than to take any other action with BWV, this was not found in the results, perhaps because of the force's prior focus on positive action, which officers usually took to mean arrest. They explained a risk aversion to inaction, and how this was amplified by the cameras. There was a feeling they would have to justify action or rather inaction to anyone looking at the footage. However, the strongest message from the survey and interviews was that the cameras had practical limitations, including failure to record, recording at the wrong angle, difficulties switching it on/off and not working in poor lighting, as well as being bulky so difficult to wear were often given as a reason officers stopped using the equipment. Details: Ryton-on-Dunsmore, UK: College of Policing, 2014. 24p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 2, 2015 at: http://college.pressofficeadmin.com/repository/files/BWV_Report.pdf Year: 2014 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://college.pressofficeadmin.com/repository/files/BWV_Report.pdf Shelf Number: 135131 Keywords: Body-Worn CamerasDomestic ViolenceLaw Enforcement TechnologyPolice AccountabilityPolice BehaviorPolice PerformanceVideo Technology |
Author: McDowall, Almuth Title: Promoting ethical behaviour and preventing wrongdoing in organisations: A rapid evidence assessment Summary: This report summarises the findings of an REA, the aim of which was to identify interventions, mechanisms and levers that might help to encourage ethical behaviour and prevent wrongdoing in organisations (i.e. comply with common professional standards or ethical principles). This review builds on the separate REA carried out by the College on the impact of codes of ethics on professional behaviour (see Brown 2014). The REA is based on a total of 57 studies carried out in policing and other professions. The review used a clear protocol to search for, sift and bring together the most relevant research papers. It reports 39 studies identified by this method, plus an additional 18 studies identified by the College of Policing or at peer review. While it was difficult to draw out overall conclusions from the literature, because the studies included in the review used a wide range of research methods to answer different questions in a variety of settings, the key findings are highlighted below. Evidence from existing systematic reviews is presented separately to that from single studies and case studies. What works and what's promising While the number of evaluated interventions and practices found during our literature search was fairly small, and sometimes not of the type required to make statements about "what works", the evidence we did find suggested that organisations can take positive steps to encourage ethical behaviour and address wrongdoing. Evidence from a systematic review - Procedural justice policing - The strongest intervention evidence we identified - based on a systematic review - explored the impact of a range of interventions on public perceptions of the police, a "positive" measure of ethical behaviour, rather than a "negative" measure of wrongdoing: - Overall, interventions that embraced the principles of procedural justice (i.e. fair decision-making and respectful treatment) - such as community policing, informal contact and restorative justice - improved public trust and confidence, and changed people's perception of the police for the better. - The review concluded there was "overwhelming support" for the police to introduce innovations that seek to advance citizen perceptions of legitimacy. Evidence from individual intervention studies or case study reviews - Body worn video cameras - One US randomised controlled trial (identified by the College outside the search protocol) showed that body worn video cameras can lead to a significant reduction in the police use of force. The effect on public complaints also appeared to be positive, but was less conclusive. - Being held to account - One quasi-experiment involving Dutch riot police suggested that reminding officers they would be accountable for their actions had a positive impact on reported attitudes (e.g. more moderate views about the police use of force). - Training - Five studies were identified exploring the effect of training in both military and policing contexts. Though the content and delivery of the training differed, the nature of decision-making and interaction skills were common elements. Each study suggested training could have a positive effect: - Training in moral decision-making (military) - A quasi-experiment, involving the Swiss military, showed that a one-week training programme on resolving moral dilemmas was effective in improving the decision-making competence of officers. - Training in procedural justice (police) - A randomised controlled trial carried out in Greater Manchester Police showed that training in practical communication skills resulted in victims perceiving the police to be fairer and more respectful. - Training in personal responsibility and control (police) - Two related studies carried out in the Nigerian Police suggested that training aimed at raising awareness of officers' personal responsibilities could change attitudes towards corruption. - Conflict resolution training (police) - One US quasi-experiment showed that three-day simulation-based training gave officers an alternative way of managing encounters, reducing the frequency and intensity with which force was used. - Ethics programmes - One before/after study carried out in an Israeli regional council suggested that the introduction of an ethics programme - in support of a code of ethics - resulted in changes to some, but not all, employee perceptions (e.g. improved perceptions of there being an ethical work climate). - Targeted problem-solving and early interventions - can potentially lead to substantial reductions on the police use of force and complaints. - One international review of before/after case studies suggested there was plausible evidence that the adoption of a problem-oriented approach by the police could reduce excessive or unnecessary uses of force. - Several individual case studies were identified that suggested the scanning and analysis of police data as ways of identifying particular officers or hotspots for target prevention activity was potentially promising. When interventions are most likely to be effective - Limited evidence was uncovered about the specific contexts in which interventions were most likely to be effective. However, studies pointed towards a need for both: - scanning and analysis of available police data, to ensure the intervention is well targeted and deals with the underlying causes of a problem; and -{ organisational commitment and leadership. Evidence from individual intervention studies or case study reviews - Body worn video cameras - One US randomised controlled trial (identified by the College outside the search protocol) showed that body worn video cameras can lead to a significant reduction in the police use of force. The effect on public complaints also appeared to be positive, but was less conclusive. - Being held to account - One quasi-experiment involving Dutch riot police suggested that reminding officers they would be accountable for their actions had a positive impact on reported attitudes (e.g. more moderate views about the police use of force). - Training - Five studies were identified exploring the effect of training in both military and policing contexts. Though the content and delivery of the training differed, the nature of decision-making and interaction skills were common elements. Each study suggested training could have a positive effect: - Training in moral decision-making (military) - A quasi-experiment, involving the Swiss military, showed that a one-week training programme on resolving moral dilemmas was effective in improving the decision-making competence of officers. - Training in procedural justice (police) - A randomised controlled trial carried out in Greater Manchester Police showed that training in practical communication skills resulted in victims perceiving the police to be fairer and more respectful. - Training in personal responsibility and control (police) - Two related studies carried out in the Nigerian Police suggested that training aimed at raising awareness of officers' personal responsibilities could change attitudes towards corruption. - Conflict resolution training (police) - One US quasi-experiment showed that three-day simulation-based training gave officers an alternative way of managing encounters, reducing the frequency and intensity with which force was used. - Ethics programmes - One before/after study carried out in an Israeli regional council suggested that the introduction of an ethics programme - in support of a code of ethics - resulted in changes to some, but not all, employee perceptions (e.g. improved perceptions of there being an ethical work climate). - Targeted problem-solving and early interventions - can potentially lead to substantial reductions on the police use of force and complaints. - One international review of before/after case studies suggested there was plausible evidence that the adoption of a problem-oriented approach by the police could reduce excessive or unnecessary uses of force. - Several individual case studies were identified that suggested the scanning and analysis of police data as ways of identifying particular officers or hotspots for target prevention activity was potentially promising. When interventions are most likely to be effective - Limited evidence was uncovered about the specific contexts in which interventions were most likely to be effective. However, studies pointed towards a need for both: - scanning and analysis of available police data, to ensure the intervention is well targeted and deals with the underlying causes of a problem; and organisational commitment and leadership. What doesn't work and evaluation gaps - No ineffective or counter-productive interventions were identified. However, there is a clear need for any intervention to be implemented thoughtfully and with care to help ensure it does not have any unintended negative consequences, and to put appropriate evaluation in place. - Limited empirical evidence was found on a number of approaches used by the police or proposed in the literature for promoting ethical behaviour and preventing wrongdoing (such as proactive investigative techniques, recruitment screening). This finding points to the need for further testing to identify "what works". The factors influencing ethical behaviour and wrongdoing We identified evidence from a number of empirical studies and literature reviews about factors associated with ethical behaviour and wrongdoing in organisations. By understanding these factors, practitioners may be better placed to design and implement more effective interventions or target them appropriately. Evidence from a systematic review - Systematic review evidence - based on 136 studies from a wide range of professional and occupational settings - suggested that ethical choices in the workplace were influenced by a range of factors at the individual, situational and organisational level. - An ethical working environment and a belief among workers that a code of conduct was well-enforced both had a positive effect on ethical decision-making. - Overall, the context of the situation in which a decision is made, particularly in terms of its perceived immediacy and magnitude of its consequences for others, was associated with workers avoiding unethical behaviour. - The influence of individual characteristics on ethical decision-making was relatively small overall: - Workers who were concerned about others, less "flexible" in their morality, less manipulative, and who took greater personal responsibility, tended to be more ethical at work. - Men and younger workers were more likely to make unethical choices overall than women and older workers. - Educational attainment was found to have no overall effect. - The range of factors associated with ethical choices suggests action at individual, situational and organisational level may be required to deal with wrongdoing and that it would be insufficient to target "bad apples", "bad cases" or "bad barrels" on their own. - Interventions focused solely on officer attitudes and intentions may not lead to improved behaviour, as the systematic review evidence suggested unethical decisions were not always based on unethical intentions. The choices made by a worker were more accurately predicted by their past behaviour than by their reported intentions. Evidence from individual studies - Organisational factors - The working environment, organisational justice and ethical leadership were all found to be "protective factors" against wrongdoing. Ethical leadership appeared to have a range of direct and indirect influences. While there was some consistency between studies on the value of role-modelling, other leadership behaviours and styles were also found to have an effect, such as openness or strictness (i.e. setting and enforcing standards). Thus, while it is clear that supervisors and leaders should - as a default - seek to be good role models through exemplary behaviour, and to encourage open discussion, there may be situations where it is important for them to set appropriate standards of behaviour and to sanction behaviour that falls short. - Situational factors - Some evidence was found on the situational factors that increased the chances of officers using improper force (e.g. the suspect being agitated or antagonistic, and having been involved in a serious offence). There was some indication that officers could sometimes be unsure whether particular activities were unethical. Several studies were also found that pointed to the existence of a "blue code of silence" - the informal pressure on officers not to report their colleagues - although its effect appeared to vary within and between organisations. - Individual characteristics - A range of individual characteristics - such as being male, younger, less experienced - were found in the literature to be associated with some types of wrongdoing. Early career misconduct and a range of social and psychological risk factors were also found to be potentially important influences, although their impact was found to be difficult to measure. The implications for practice of these individual characteristics are perhaps less clear as they are potentially related to other confounding factors and arguably harder for practitioners to influence. Conclusions and implications Taken together, the evidence in this REA raises a range of possibilities to take forward into practice. While the number of evaluated practices was fairly small, the evidence we found suggested that organisations can take steps to encourage ethical behaviour and reduce wrongdoing. Although there were no ready-made single solutions, a multi-pronged approach is likely to be needed. Notably, all the promising interventions that were identified were broadly preventive or remedial in their approach; none were purely focused on apprehending and disciplining those responsible for wrongdoing. The evidence also underlined how important leadership was within organisations. The need for strong and effective leadership - such as leaders being open, acting as role models, and also being "firm" in terms of setting and enforcing standards - was highlighted as encouraging ethical behaviour and as an essential ingredient for the successful implementation of interventions. This finding contains learning for individual leaders about how they should perform their role, but also has wider implications for the way leadership in the service is selected, promoted, developed and held to account. Moreover, leadership - and the organisational environment it helped create - were strong influences on the attitudes and (reported) behaviours of those working for them. Key here were the ideas of organisational justice (fair decision-making and respectful treatment internally) and ethical leadership. However, despite its importance, leadership was only one of several influences on ethical behaviour. A range of factors at the organisational, situational and individual level were all found to affect wrongdoing in different professional settings. While it is not clear what initiatives will "work", this finding highlights the need for action to be taken in combination at all three levels. Details: Ryton-on-Dunsmore, UK: College of Policing, 2015. 57p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 2, 2015 at: http://whatworks.college.police.uk/Research/Documents/150317_Integrity_REA_FINAL_REPORT.pdf Year: 2015 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://whatworks.college.police.uk/Research/Documents/150317_Integrity_REA_FINAL_REPORT.pdf Shelf Number: 135133 Keywords: Police AccountabilityPolice BehaviorPolice EthicsPolice IntegrityPolice LegitimacyPolice Misconduct (U.K.)Police TrainingPolice-Citizen InteractionsProcedural Justice |
Author: Porter, Louise Title: The role of leadership in promoting ethical police behaviour: The findings of qualitative case study research Summary: Key findings This study focuses on issues of leadership and organisational ethics. It is based on 41 in-depth interviews - three with chief officers and at least five with frontline officers in each of five case study forces from England and Wales. The aim of the research was to explore the impact that senior leadership was perceived to have on ethical police behaviour, particularly that of those officers and staff in frontline roles. Its key findings were as follows: - Overall, the large majority of interviewees felt there had been a positive shift in the style of police leadership in recent years. There was a general sense leaders had moved away from an autocratic style to a more inclusive and open approach. Most current leaders in the five study forces were seen as consultative and good communicators. - Interviewees found it difficult to disentangle the factors that constituted effective leadership in general from those that specifically promoted ethical behaviour. The belief that ethical behaviour was a "natural consequence" of effective leadership was common. - A range of opinions about leadership styles were evident in all study forces, though the importance of honesty, integrity, visibility, transparency, and consistent and clear messages were emphasised, and reportedly had a clear impact on morale. - Evidence suggested that leaders were seen as both figureheads and role models for conduct. Setting values and standards, and communicating and enforcing those standards fairly, were also key themes raised in all interviews. - With the exception of autocratic leadership (which was mainly used to describe former chief officers), most interviewees felt that different styles could promote ethical behaviour. - Demonstration of transformational and participative leadership styles was seen as important, particularly by senior leaders. Visibility and communication were seen as key dimensions of leadership that offered opportunities to encourage organisational commitment, as a result of it increasing the credibility of leaders among staff and a belief in shared values and goals. - Elements of transactional leadership were also thought important for staff behaviour and morale, particularly in terms of encouraging appropriate standards through the consistent and fair application of reward and sanction within the organisation. - For many, successful leadership in fostering ethical behaviour was seen to come through flexibility and balance in leadership style. The nature of policing - with its high levels of discretion and specific vulnerabilities towards misconduct (e.g. contact with criminals) - reportedly meant leadership needed to be both transformational and transactional. - Comments from the majority of chief officers and frontline staff supported the idea that a more open and democratic style of leadership secured a better commitment to organisational values and promoted ethical behaviour. - While leadership was seen as important at all levels, first line supervisors were thought to have more of an influence than chief officers as they were the day-to-day role models for behaviour for most people. The provision of support to, and the empowerment of, frontline supervisors was, therefore, seen as particularly crucial. - The research highlighted the need for senior leaders and supervisors to be more aware of, and self-reflective about, leadership styles and processes and the impact these can have on the ethical behaviour of staff. Notably, while performance expectations need to be set and aligned with wider force priority and integrity frameworks, there was a widespread view that a narrow performance focus could have negative consequences. Details: Ryton-on-Dunsmore, UK: College of Policing, 2015. 64p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 2, 2015 at: http://whatworks.college.police.uk/Research/Documents/150317_Ethical_leadership_FINAL_REPORT.pdf Year: 2015 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://whatworks.college.police.uk/Research/Documents/150317_Ethical_leadership_FINAL_REPORT.pdf Shelf Number: 135134 Keywords: Police AdministratorsPolice BehaviorPolice Ethics (U.K.) |
Author: Hales, Gavin Title: Chief officer misconduct in policing: An exploratory study Summary: Key findings This study has examined cases of alleged misconduct involving chief police officers and staff. The aim was to describe the nature of cases that have come to light, examine the perceived pathways that led to misconduct, and suggest ways of mitigating the risks of misconduct. The study is based on interviews with key stakeholders and with investigating officers in chief officer misconduct cases since April 2008. These cases involved only a small minority of chief officers over the time-period in question. What sorts of cases have come to light since 2008? - Cases involving chief officer misconduct fell into two broad categories: those associated with professional decision-making, and those related to interpersonal conduct. - Cases involving professional decision-making included: abuses of due process and other forms of misrepresentation; suppression of information and dishonesty; abuses of force procedures relating to recruitment and procurement; material/financial misconduct; and other forms of professional misjudgement. - Cases involving interpersonal conduct included: bullying; expressions of racist or sexist prejudice; and sexual misconduct. - In around a third of cases, no misconduct was found, reflecting levels of chief officer exposure to scrutiny, vexatious or unfounded allegations, and the collective responsibility they carry for their police force. What are the routes into misconduct? - The 'ethical climate' of a police force is a key determinant of chief officer misconduct. Ethical climate is shaped by leadership styles, the organisational ethos, training and selection procedures, styles of performance management, and wider social norms. - Behaviour is shaped by individual vulnerabilities, including absence of ethical or emotional support, lack of challenge, exposure to corrupting influences, and cognitive failures in decision-making. - In a number of cases those involved in misconduct believed that their role as leaders excepted themselves from organisational rules and regulations; this cognitive failure explains why, in several cases, those involved refused to accept that they had done anything wrong. How can the risks of chief officer misconduct be mitigated? - Ethical standards will improve with greater openness of debate on police ethics. Publication of the Code of Ethics (College of Policing 2014a) may help achieve this. - There are differences between forces, and regulatory and oversight bodies about ethical standards and the thresholds between acceptable conduct, misconduct and gross misconduct, and how they are investigated. A key task is in creating a greater consensus on these issues, which requires open debate. - Police organisational responses should be commensurate with proportionality and public interest; both of which have implications for the costs involved. - Chief officers need to recognise the specific risks of cognitive failure that organisational leaders face, and the temptations of excepting themselves from rules and norms. - It is important to encourage an organisational ethos in which leaders can be challenged, and in which leaders are given the right sort of support when faced with ethical challenges. - There needs to be more recognition of the impact of selection and training processes, and of performance management systems, on the ethical climate of police organisations. - It was clear that across chief officer ranks as a whole the appetite is very much for change. Indeed, it was clear that the very change interviewees spoke of had already started to embed itself among many chief officer teams around the country. Details: Ryton-on-Dunsmore, UK: College of Policing, 2015. 95p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 2, 2015 at: http://whatworks.college.police.uk/Research/Documents/150317_Chief_officer_misconduct_FINAL_%20REPORT.pdf Year: 2015 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://whatworks.college.police.uk/Research/Documents/150317_Chief_officer_misconduct_FINAL_%20REPORT.pdf Shelf Number: 135136 Keywords: Police BehaviorPolice EthicsPolice Misconduct (U.K.)Police Recruitment and Training |
Author: Pyman, Mark Title: Arresting corruption in the police. The global experience of police corruption reform efforts Summary: This report is the result of a survey of global experience of police anti-corruption reforms. It analyses police corruption and looks at reforms that were undertaken to tackle it. The report offers a way to analyse police corruption more systematically through a 'police typology', and looks at examples of police reform in 10 countries around the globe: Australia, Afghanistan, China, Georgia, Honduras, Jamaica, Kenya, Serbia, Singapore, and Venezuela. Details: London: Transparency International, UK, 2012. 83p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 2, 2015 at: http://issuu.com/tidefence/docs/2012-11_arrestingcorruptioninpolice Year: 2012 Country: International URL: http://issuu.com/tidefence/docs/2012-11_arrestingcorruptioninpolice Shelf Number: 135137 Keywords: Police BehaviorPolice CorruptionPolice EthicsPolice MisconductPolice Reform |
Author: Great Britain. Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Constabulary Title: The Welfare of vulnerable people in police custody Summary: Every day, the police in England and Wales are required to respond to the widest possible range of human behaviour and conditions. One moment they might be seeking a place of safety for an abandoned child, or for a person suffering from mental health problems who is confused and vulnerable; the next, they could be arresting an armed criminal. In some cases, people may be both offenders and in need of care. Vulnerability can be a trigger for crime or it can make people more likely to be victims of crime. The task that we ask of our police officers in making the distinction between the need for care and the requirements of justice is therefore both highly complex, and crucial if we are to ensure that vulnerable adults and children in our society do not become criminalised for want of a more appropriate response. The bricks and mortar of the custody suite and the police cell do not, and cannot make this distinction. As a result, some of the most vulnerable in our society may be subject to the same physical conditions and treatment as some of the most harmful. Police officers are civilians in uniform, possessing and discharging powers given to them freely by the consent of the communities they serve. There can be no greater power invested in a civilian than the power to take away the liberty of the citizen; nor can there be a stronger illustration of the power and trust invested in the police. The way that officers and staff engage with people in their custody or care therefore, has a most significant effect on the legitimacy with which the police are viewed, both by those detained, and by wider society. Future co-operation as witnesses to crime, or trust in the police as a victim of crime, may also be dependent on these contacts with the service. This being the case, the attitude and actions of the police - whether on the front line or in custody - are of paramount importance in ensuring that the very different needs of all those they encounter are met by the most appropriate agency. For those members of the public taken into custody, there are risks of harm from the experience of detention itself. They may also pose a risk to themselves and/or to others. All of these risks must be managed effectively by officers and staff with the relevant specialist expertise, who must communicate effectively, implement good standards of care, follow the law and work proactively with other agencies to ensure the right protection is put in place for vulnerable detainees, both in and following police custody. The primary purpose of the police is the prevention of crime and disorder. Other public agencies also have responsibilities in this regard. It is important to reiterate that the care of those who are vulnerable and at risk of coming to police attention is not the responsibility of the police alone. As this report emphasises, each service with a role to play in helping these individuals - including health, mental health, social and housing services - must fully and properly discharge its responsibilities, so that the police do not become the default response for vulnerable people in crisis. Details: London: HMIC, 2015. 212p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 15, 2015 at: http://www.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmic/wp-content/uploads/the-welfare-of-vulnerable-people-in-police-custody.pdf Year: 2015 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmic/wp-content/uploads/the-welfare-of-vulnerable-people-in-police-custody.pdf Shelf Number: 135211 Keywords: DetaineesInmatesMentally IllMinority GroupsPolice BehaviorPolice CustodyPrisoners (U.K.) |
Author: Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) Title: Critical Response Technical Assessment Review: Police Accountability - Findings and National implications of an assessment of the San Diego Police Department Summary: Over the last several years, the San Diego Police Department (SDPD) has faced cases of criminal misconduct by police officers, including sexual assaults of women by on-duty officers. In one case, Officer Anthony Arevalos was charged with 21 felony charges related to the sexual assault and victimization of eight women while he was on duty between 2009 and 2012. Arevalos was one of 10 SDPD officers to come under investigation for criminal misconduct on charges including rape, domestic violence, driving under the influence, and sexual battery during a three-month span in early 2011. Out of the 10 cases, six resulted in the arrest of officers. In 2014, another SDPD officer was arrested and pled guilty to two counts of felony false imprisonment and three counts of misdemeanor sexual battery involving four victims. The fact that these officers committed these crimes and that the crimes were committed over a period of years and went undetected for so long outraged the San Diego community and resulted in headlines nationwide about the scandal in what had previously been regarded as a well-respected police department. At a May 2011 press conference following the arrest of Arevalos, then Chief of Police William Lansdowne apologized to the San Diego community on behalf of the police department and announced a seven-point plan to prevent recurrences of misconduct and criminal acts by officers. The Lansdowne plan included measures such as strengthening the internal affairs unit, establishing a 24/7 confidential complaint hotline, and evaluating the department's early identification and intervention system (EIIS), which is intended to provide early alerts to police supervisors about potentially problematic behavior by officers. By February 2013, the San Diego City Council was informed that the SDPD had fully implemented Chief Lansdowne's seven-point plan. In early 2014, new allegations of criminal sexual misconduct by two additional SDPD officers refocused attention on the issue of misconduct within the SDPD and left many individuals questioning the full implementation of the seven-point plan and the department's ability to effectively police itself even with the plan in place. In response, Chief Lansdowne announced that he would seek outside assistance to review the SDPD's systems for detecting and preventing misconduct, evaluate how the department had handled the misconduct cases, and recommend reform measures. This report is the result of that external review. Details: Washington, DC: Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, 2015. 100p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 4, 2015 at: http://ric-zai-inc.com/Publications/cops-w0756-pub.pdf Year: 2015 Country: United States URL: http://ric-zai-inc.com/Publications/cops-w0756-pub.pdf Shelf Number: 135510 Keywords: Police Accountability (San Diego)Police AdministrationPolice BehaviorPolice EthicsPolice Misconduct |
Author: U.S. Department of Justice. Civil Rights Division Title: Investigation of the Cleveland Division of Police Summary: The Department of Justice (“DOJ”) has completed its civil pattern or practice investigation of the Cleveland Division of Police (“CDP” or “Division”). We have concluded that we have reasonable cause to believe that CDP engages in a pattern or practice of using excessive force in violation of the Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution. Our investigation under the Violent Crime and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, 42 U.S.C. § 14141 focused on allegations of excessive force by CDP officers. We have determined that structural and systemic deficiencies and practices—including insufficient accountability, inadequate training and equipment, ineffective policies, and inadequate engagement with the community—contribute to CDP’s use of unreasonable force. For these reasons, and because this is the second time in the last ten years that the DOJ has investigated and found the need for reforms at CDP, we believe that comprehensive reform can only be assured with outside verification in the form of a federal consent decree which includes an independent monitor. The release of this findings letter marks the end of a civil investigation that began in March 2013, following a series of highly publicized incidents that suggested critical flaws exist in CDP’s use of force policies, procedures, and practices, including CDP’s ability and willingness to properly assess officers’ uses of force and hold officers accountable for their actions. These incidents also revealed a rift between CDP and certain segments of the communities it serves. Numerous leaders and organizations in Cleveland called on us to open an independent investigation into CDP, including a member of the U.S. Congress, leaders of several different religious communities, civil rights and community groups, and the Mayor of Cleveland. Our investigation found that the concerns about these events raised by many community members and civic leaders are well-founded. Our investigation did not focus only on highly publicized use of force incidents. Instead, our review examined nearly 600 use of force incidents that occurred between 2010 and 2013, including incidents involving the use of lethal and less lethal force. We closely analyzed these incidents, using use of force reports and other documents and evidence provided by CDP, and applied the relevant legal standards to determine whether CDP’s use of force was legally justified. In addition, our evaluation of CDP’s use of force was informed by many other sources, including: witness interviews and the participation of hundreds of individuals in community town hall meetings; interviews with the Division’s officers, supervisors, and command staff; input from other stakeholders in the City, including elected representatives of the patrol officer and management unions, the Office of Professional Standards, the Civilian Police Review Board, members of religious communities, and other community leaders; Division policies, procedures and training materials; and analysis provided by expert police consultants DOJ retained to assist with this investigation. Details: Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, 2014. 59p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 16, 2015 at: http://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/opa/press-releases/attachments/2014/12/04/cleveland_division_of_police_findings_letter.pdf Year: 2014 Country: United States URL: http://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/opa/press-releases/attachments/2014/12/04/cleveland_division_of_police_findings_letter.pdf Shelf Number: 135681 Keywords: Police BehaviorPolice Misconduct Police Use of Force |
Author: Campbell, Isla Title: What makes great police leadership? What research can tell us about the effectiveness of different leadership styles, competencies and behaviours. A Rapid Evidence Review Summary: The purpose of this paper is to present a review of the current evidence base on what makes a great police leader - in terms of leadership styles, behaviours and competencies. It focuses on internal police leadership for all ranks from first line-managers (sergeants) to chief executives (chief constables/ commissioners) and summarises findings from relevant UK and international research studies published in English over the last three decades (1979 - 2008.) An extensive systematic literature search was conducted to identify relevant research evidence that reported outcomes and impact of police leadership. Think pieces and research papers that did not report on such outcomes were excluded. The resulting list of 23 research studies have been reviewed by the NPIA research team and their findings summarised in this paper. Leadership is a complex research area and across all sectors there is ambiguity over which styles and behaviours are the most effective. Difficulties of linking leadership with organisational outcomes are particularly pronounced for the police, since common police performance measures are affected by multiple confounding factors. The findings of this review are, therefore, largely based on perceptions of what makes a great police leader. There is virtually no reliable evidence of what impacts police leadership styles and behaviours make on the ground. Details: National Policing Improvement Agency, 2011. 27p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 26, 2015 at: http://whatworks.college.police.uk/Research/Documents/Great_Police_Leader_REA.pdf Year: 2011 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://whatworks.college.police.uk/Research/Documents/Great_Police_Leader_REA.pdf Shelf Number: 131142 Keywords: Police AdministrationPolice BehaviorPolice EffectivenessPolicing |
Author: Police Executive Research Forum Title: Use of Force Policy and Practices Study for Cleveland Division of Police Summary: The Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) was retained by the Cleveland Division of Police (CDP) to conduct a comprehensive review of the Division's policies and practices related to the use of force. This study was conducted in two phases. In the first phase, PERF subject matter experts reviewed all of the Division's written policies and procedures related to the use of force, recommended changes where appropriate, and then evaluated policy changes made by the Division. The purpose of the review was to recommend that the Division implement use of force policies and procedures that were in line with current best practices. The following policies were designated by the Police Division for PERF review: - Standard Operating Procedure Manual: The Use of Deadly Force Investigation Team (UDFIT Manual) - GPO 1.1.22 Deadly Force Investigation Team (UDFIT) - GPO 1.3.16 Integrity Control Section Call-up Teams - GPO 2.1.01 Use of Force - GPO 2.1.02 Beanbag Shotguns - GPO 2.1.03 Firearm Discharge Investigations - GPO 2.1.04 Animal Incidents - GPO 2.1.05 Weapon Clearing Trap (Device used to safely clear weapons). - GPO 2.1.06 Taser - Electronic Control Device (ECD) The policy review and development process was conducted over a period beginning in January 2012 and concluding in September 2012. Working meetings were held with CDP officials to review existing policies, deliberate on potential use of force policy changes, review and discuss PERF's recommended changes, then review and formalize policy changes made by the CDP. The second phase of the study, which began in September of 2012, evaluated how the Division currently manages department processes that affect use of force practices, and the extent to which CDP has implemented use of force policies, procedures, directives and training. During this phase, PERF staff met with members of the CDP; subject matter experts evaluated the Division's use of force training, reporting, supervision, and investigations; and national law enforcement leaders facing similar challenges as in Cleveland were brought in to provide consultation for the Mayor and key appointees and the command staff of the Cleveland Division of Police. PERF's findings and recommendations are described in this report. The intended outcome of the study is to provide the Division with a roadmap to evaluate and strengthen (where necessary) how the Division controls and manages the use of force by officers. PERF performed the following tasks for the collection of information related to CDP's use of force issues: 1. An examination of existing policies related to police use of force. 2. Use of the following policy modification process - PERF made recommendations to revise existing use of force policies; those recommendations were reviewed by the CDP; the Division revised policies as they deemed appropriate; PERF performed a second review and commented on the modified policies; all input was used by the CDP to finalize changes to policies. 3. A review of a sample of use of use of force reports filed by Cleveland police officers. 4. An examination of a sample of internal investigation reports regarding the use of force. 5. Interviews with supervisory and command level personnel regarding use of force training, reporting, supervision, investigations and aftercare. Details: Washington, DC: PERF, 2013. 41p. Source: Internet Resource: accessed May 26, 2015 at: http://archive.wkyc.com/assetpool/documents/130828031751_Use%20of%20Force%20Report.pdf Year: 2013 Country: United States URL: http://archive.wkyc.com/assetpool/documents/130828031751_Use%20of%20Force%20Report.pdf Shelf Number: 129787 Keywords: Police BehaviorPolice MisconductPolice Policies and PracticesPolice Use of Force |
Author: Witherspoon, Pernell Title: Police Body Cameras in Missouri: Good or Bad Policy? An Academic Viewpoint Seen Through the Lens of a Former Law Enforcement Official Summary: After the fatal shooting of an African American teenager in Ferguson, Missouri on August 9, 2014, various police departments are exploring the use of body cameras. With tensions high, it is hopeful that body worn camera policies will be based on sound research and that appropriate measures are made to achieve optimum effectiveness. The author of this writing, a former law enforcement official and current academic, presents some challenges that police administrators will need to address toward body camera implementation. Because racism is difficult to accurately measure and police are historically reluctant to provide genuine feedback for researchers, the author introduces hypothetical, but realistic, phenomena for Missouri law enforcement leaders to assess. This writing raises questions to who is attracted to or being chosen for the police profession. While difficult and perhaps impossible to prove because of hidden factors, conservatism and lack of college education might be correlated to an officer's judgment toward delivering equitable treatment to all citizens. Thus, some officers might be motivated to undermine any new policies that hinder their autonomy in policing? The author's personal experiences are laid out to acknowledge the complexities behind introducing new policies based on knee jerk reactions if self-assessments within departments are not first drawn out. Details: St. Charles, MO: Lindenwood University, 2014. 6p. Source: Internet Resource: Number 2 (Summer/Fall 2014) Missouri Policy Journal : Accessed May 29, 2015 at: http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2538932 Year: 2014 Country: United States URL: http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2538932 Shelf Number: 135803 Keywords: Body-Worn CamerasPolice AccountabilityPolice BehaviorPolice-Citizen Interactions |
Author: Great Britain. Parliament. House of Commons. Public Administration Select Committee (PASC) Title: Caught red-handed: Why we can't count on Police Recorded Crime statistics. Thirteenth Report of Session 2013-14 Summary: Crime statistics published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) are central to our understanding of the nature and prevalence of crime in England and Wales. They provide crucial information for the police which helps them to decide how to deploy their manpower resources. Lax supervision of recorded crime data risks reducing the police's effectiveness in their core role of protecting the public and preventing crime. Measurement of crime is based on two main statistical sources: (i) the Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW, formerly the British Crime Survey) and (ii) Police Recorded Crime (PRC). The CSEW and PRC provide strong evidence that the overall volume of crime has been falling. However, there is an accumulation of substantial and credible evidence indicating that the PRC data do not represent a full and accurate account of crime in England and Wales. Of most importance, we have strong evidence that PRC under-records crime, and therefore the rate of decrease in crime may be exaggerated, and this is due to lax police compliance with the agreed national standard of victim-focussed crime recording. As a result of PASC's inquiry and the evidence we have exposed, the UK Statistics Authority (UKSA) decided in January 2014 to strip PRC data of its designation as National Statistics. We conclude that the Home Office, ONS and UKSA have been far too passive in the face of concerns raised about PRC; they have repeatedly missed opportunities to ensure the integrity and quality of PRC data. The cessation of regular external audit of police force crime recording in 2007 was a mistake. We recommend the re-instatement of annual audits of crime recording practices. HM Inspectorate of Constabulary's inspection in 2013 into the Kent Police found clear evidence that targets are detrimental to the integrity of crime data. Numerical targets for individual police officers and police forces as a whole, based on PRC data, and set by senior police officers or Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs), drive perverse incentives to misrecord crime, tend to affect attitudes and erode data quality. Some PCCs consider the perverse incentives created by targets to be so serious that they have dropped all targets. We applaud them. The attitudes and behaviour which lead to the misrecording of crime have become ingrained, including within senior leadership. This leads to the subordination of data integrity to target-chasing. This can present officers with a conflict between achievement of targets and core policing values. We deprecate the use of targets in the strongest possible terms. The Home Office, which claims credit for abolishing national numerical targets, should also be discouraging the use of such targets. The Home Office must also take responsibility and accept accountability for the quality of PRC statistics. Senior police leaders must ensure that emphasis is placed on data integrity and accuracy, not on the achievement of targets. We regard such practice as a flawed leadership model, contrary to the policing Code of Ethics. The quality of leadership within the police, and its compliance with the core values of policing, including accountability, honesty and integrity, will determine whether the proper quality of PRC data can be restored. We are convinced that this requires leadership in many police forces to place new emphasis on values and ethics, especially in the Metropolitan Police Service. We recommend that the Committee on Standards in Public Life conducts a wide-ranging inquiry into the police's compliance with the new Code of Ethics; in particular the role of leadership in promoting and sustaining these values in the face of all the other pressures on the force. Details: London: The Stationery Office Limited, 2014. 58p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 1, 2015 at: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201314/cmselect/cmpubadm/760/760.pdf Year: 2014 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201314/cmselect/cmpubadm/760/760.pdf Shelf Number: 135840 Keywords: Crime MeasurementCrime StatisticsPolice AccountabilityPolice BehaviorPolice EthicsPolice IntegrityPolice Performance |
Author: Great Britain. Committee on Standards in Public Life Title: Tone from the Top: Leadership, ethics and accountability in policing Summary: 1. The public expects high ethical standards from the police that serve them. Trust in the police is vital - from the Chief Constable to the most junior police officer. Police ethics - their honesty, their integrity, their impartiality, their openness - should be beyond reproach. Above all, this requires effective accountability and leadership to create a culture where high standards of behaviour are the norm. High standards - of both conduct and accountability - also need to be demonstrated by those charged with holding the police to account. 2. The Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (the Act) created elected Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) to "ensure the police respond to local priorities and are directly accountable to the public."1 PCCs set the strategic direction and aims of the police force and have responsibility for delivering community safety and reducing crime and delivering value for money. PCCs control over 12bn of police force funding.2 They have the statutory responsibility to appoint a Chief Constable as well as for their removal. In addition to the PCCs' local role, they have a regional and national role to ensure cross border resilience and capability and to meet national threats such as terrorism or organised crime. PCCs can and have entered into collaboration agreements with other PCCs and organisations to improve the efficiency or effectiveness of policing, for example by sharing back office functions. The Act also provided for the establishment of local Police and Crime Panels who have a dual scrutiny and support role in respect of the PCC and have some powers of veto on budgets and on the appointment of a Chief Constable. 3. PCCs represent a deliberate and substantial strengthening of the locally elected element of the tripartite arrangements for policing accountability. The model is one of democratic accountability "replacing bureaucratic accountability with democratic accountability" where "the public will have elected Police and Crime Commissioners and will be holding them to account for how policing is delivered through their force." The model is primarily reliant on the cycle of elections as the main means of holding PCCs to account. The average turnout for the PCC election in 2012 was 15.1%. The Committee's public research has found that knowledge of the policing accountability arrangements is not very high4 and there is a very low level of public interest in policing - 60% of respondents said they were not interested in finding out about policing issues in their local area5. Rather, for the public, the key accountability mechanism is the ability to question or challenge "their" local beat team or commander on specific areas of concern. 4. The statutory Policing Protocol, which sets out to all PCCs, Chief Constables and Police and Crime Panels how their functions will be exercised in relation to each other, makes clear that all parties will abide by the Seven Principles of Public Life - Selflessness, Integrity, Objectivity, Accountability, Openness, Honesty and Leadership. 5. The Committee believes that any accountability and governance framework for policing should similarly reflect the Seven Principles of Public Life, and operate in a way which is capable of ensuring ethical behaviour, reducing ethical risks and providing effective accountability in order to command public confidence. 6. This matters because our policing system relies on policing by consent in a way that meets the differing needs and priorities of communities. It also relies on the operational independence of the police. But operational independence does not mean that there can be exceptionalism for the police - the public is clear on what the ethical standards should be and is consistent in its expectation that those in public life should abide by them. Year on year the public has affirmed that the definition of standards set out in the Seven Principles is still relevant and should continue to apply to public office holders and all those delivering public services. 7. The Committee recognises that the role of police officer is a unique and valuable one. It does not underestimate the challenging and often unexpected situations the police face every day. "Police officers are expected to make quick but finely-calibrated judgements about when, how and how much of their power it is justified to use" and the vast majority of police officers do so with integrity. They are operating in a fast moving landscape with changing demands of crime where increased accountability, professionalisation and ethical behaviour will be key to ensuring public confidence. 8. The Committee's surveys tell us that public experience of core policing values is generally positive. They show that the majority of respondents thought senior police officers could be trusted to tell the truth and the large majority of respondents thought they would be treated fairly as a victim of crime reporting it to the police. This view is reinforced by other surveys which showed that 65% of respondents thought police officers could be trusted to tell the truth, and 63% of adults gave positive ratings of local police. Research carried out specifically for this inquiry showed that the majority of respondents believed that the police are held to account for their actions and that police deal with crime and anti-social behaviour issues that matter in their local area. 9. The democratic accountability of the PCC must not negate oversight of those who hold public office. As the government acknowledged: "the public need to have the right information to judge the Commissioner's performance and they need to know the Commissioner can be called to account with effective scrutiny and appropriate checks and balances, in particular at a local level." 10. Accountability should be tested between elections by demonstrable compliance with standards of conduct, propriety and performance. It should be tested and verified by independent scrutiny, with failure addressed with appropriate and timely sanctions. 11. The Committee is conscious that all those involved in the new local accountability arrangements have had to adapt to new relationships and ways of working, with relatively little guidance and support from central Government. PCCs in particular faced a huge task to develop their Police and Crime Plans setting out their priorities and establish their offices in a short space of time after delayed elections. The Committee has borne this in mind throughout the course of the inquiry. The Committee has found evidence of: a. recognition of the importance of the College of Policing's Code of Ethics and core policing values and diverse good practice in implementing and embedding the Code within police forces; b. increased professionalism that is ethically based and an acknowledgement of the importance of leadership in policing to support high ethical standards; c. increased visibility, greater focus on victim support and local public engagement by PCCs in comparison to the Police Authorities they replaced, but questions around the wider impact of that engagement; d. the existence of various mechanisms, of varying effectiveness, to support high standards of behaviour and propriety such as information transparency, audit committees, ethical frameworks, scrutiny plans, controls to manage conflicts of interests and arrangements to engage, promote and monitor best practice - these arrangements will need to be consistently and actively implemented with regular monitoring of compliance and impact. 13. The Committee has also identified significant standards risks including: a. confusion amongst the public and the participants about roles and responsibilities, especially in relation to where operational independence and governance oversight begin and end; b. a significant absence of a clear process to take action against a PCC whose conduct falls below the standards expected of public office holders, resulting in that behaviour going unchallenged and uncensured; c. concerns about the robustness of current selection processes for chief officers; d. PCCs not encountering sufficient constructive challenge or active support in exercising decision making powers; e. barriers to the effective operation of Police and Crime Panels as scrutinisers including support, resources and the consistency and credibility of representative membership; f. a lack of timely and accessible information being provided to Police and Crime Panels by PCCs affecting Police and Crime Panels' ability to scrutinise and support the PCC; g. potential for high risk conflict of interests in roles jointly appointed by PCCs and Chief Constables (which although relatively rare, may increase in number) and risks inherent in the combined role of Chief Executive and Monitoring Officer to the PCC; h. confusion between, and inherent tensions in the current police complaints system and the complaints system attaching to PCCs, and a gap in the expectations of the public in how complaints against PCCs would be resolved, especially when this involved unethical but not criminal behaviour. 14. Combined, these factors impact on the ability of Police and Crime Panels to ensure, "that decisions of PCCs are tested on behalf of the public on a regular basis." There are benefits for PCCs in active engagement with Police and Crime Panels as a source of local knowledge, political support and leverage. PCCs need to play their part in sustaining open and trusting relationships. There is also scope for Police and Crime Panels to develop a more strategic future focus with better forward planning. 15. The operational and strategic roles of the Chief Constable and PCC respectively are not clearly defined and this has created confusion in the minds of the public which has fed into the complaints system. The evidence has also shown that success or failure in the current framework depends not only on the skills and experience but also on the personalities of and the relationship between the Chief Constable and the PCC. Whilst this is not a substantially new issue - constructive relationships were an important factor when Chief Constables were accountable to Police Authorities - it becomes critical when it is a one-on-one relationship. 16. The risk that the balance of power will become asymmetric or dysfunctional argues for transparency in working relationships and appropriate checks and balances. The Committee is not convinced that the existing safeguards in the framework are sufficient, given that the PCC as a single individual directly controls local policing, crime strategy and a significant budget. This matters because policing in times of austerity may mean that Chief Constables will increasingly be making difficult operational decisions which may not be supported by the public or the PCC. 17. The Committee considers a minimum code of conduct for PCCs an essential component in ensuring there is clarity as to the standards of conduct and behaviour expected from the individuals concerned and in providing the public with certainty as to what is and is not acceptable conduct. This will in turn increase transparency in the complaints system and produce a common standard of conduct which could be relied upon in any future power of recall. 18. The Committee noted the establishment of Ethics Committees in some areas, but considers they are an adjunct to, not an answer to, embedding a standards culture. Nor are they part of the formal accountability for holding Chief Constables to account. The Committee believes the remit of Ethics Committees needs to be sharply focused and clearly differentiated from other groups such as Independent Advisory Groups. As new bodies in an already crowded landscape, their effectiveness should be regularly reviewed. 19. The Committee has concluded that to provide assurance that high ethical standards of behaviour are capable of being upheld and to sustain core policing values14 there needs to be a strong and continuing focus on: - clarity of responsibility and accountability; - developing a sustainable culture of embedding high ethical standards; and - robust effective ethical leadership. Details: London: The Committee, 2015. 141p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 29, 2015 at: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/439208/Tone_from_the_top_-_CSPL.pdf Year: 2015 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/439208/Tone_from_the_top_-_CSPL.pdf Shelf Number: 136254 Keywords: Police AccountabilityPolice BehaviorPolice EffectivenessPolice EthicsPolice LegitimacyPolice Performance |
Author: International Crisis Group Title: The Future of the Afghan Local Police Summary: The Afghan Local Police (ALP) began as a small U.S. experiment but grew into a significant part of Afghanistan's security apparatus. In hundreds of rural communities, members serve on the front lines of a war that is reaching heights of violence not witnessed since 2001, as insurgents start to credibly threaten major cities. The ALP also stand in the middle of a policy debate about whether the Kabul government can best defend itself with loosely regulated units outside the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) structure. The mixed record suggests that the ALP contribute to security where local factors allow recruitment of members from the villages they patrol and where they respect their own communities. But such conditions do not exist in many districts. The ALP and pro-government militias are cheap but dangerous, and Kabul should resist calls for their expansion. Reforms are needed to strengthen oversight, dismiss ALP in the many locations where they worsen security and incorporate the remaining units into the ANSF. Since 2001, when intelligence officers arrived in northern Afghanistan to raise local militias against the Taliban, the U.S. presence has been associated with a proliferation of irregular or semi-regular forces backed by American sponsors. None has approached the scale of the ALP, which has perhaps 29,000 men deployed in 29 of 34 provinces. Its predecessors were invented to meet short-term tactical requirements, such as assisting counter-terrorism teams in border regions; the ALP is a broader effort to correct strategic problems in the war against the Taliban. U.S. planners realised they were sending Afghan forces into rural communities that treated them as outsiders because of their tribe, ethnicity or urban background. Senior Afghan officials were reluctant to endorse community-based units, in part because they circumvented central government authority, but also because they resembled militias that had contributed to the civil wars of the 1990s. President Hamid Karzai eventually accepted the ALP concept after insisting the armed villagers would at least nominally be categorised as "police" and answer to the interior ministry. He approved a 10,000-man roster as a two- to five-year temporary measure to address growing instability, although the program rapidly expanded. Five years later, officials in President Ashraf Ghani's government are considering plans to increase the roster to 45,000 and seeking money to continue the program after the scheduled September 2018 expiration of U.S. funding. U.S. and Afghan security officials also continue experimenting with other irregular units. Abdul Rashid Dostum, the first vice president and an ex-militia leader, has publicly called for a new force of 20,000. Already, security officials are attempting to raise about 5,000 militiamen in at least seven provinces as a stopgap against rising insecurity. Afghan officials who feel qualms about hastily-raised forces with little training may lose the internal argument if insurgent attacks continue growing in 2015-2016 as forecast, leading to more pressure for quick fixes. However, the ALP program has not improved security in many places and even exacerbated the conflict in a number of districts. A minority of villagers describe it as an indispensable source of protection, without which their districts would become battlegrounds or insurgent havens, but it is more common to hear complaints that ALP prey upon the people they are supposed to guard. Such behaviour often provokes violence: in 2014, an ALP officer was three to six times more likely to be killed on duty than his ANSF counterpart. At times, this reflected the way ALP units have become a central part of the war, singled out by Taliban as important targets. In other places, the high rate resulted from abuses - extortion, kidnapping, extrajudicial killings - that instigated armed responses. Teachers who feel outraged by ALP behaviour and pick up guns to attack an ALP outpost may have no connection to insurgents and may quickly return peacefully to civilian life. Such cases illustrate how ALP can inspire conflict, instead of quelling it. The chequered history suggests further expansion of such forces would be a mistake, but an abrupt halt to the program would give insurgents a military edge, and ex-fighters might also be drawn to banditry and other forms of lawlessness if not carefully reintegrated into society or the ANSF. New policies are needed to extend ALP units with proven good behaviour, while reducing the overall force and ultimately ending the program. The mix of interventions required - strengthened oversight and integration into ANSF of units that would remain after poor ones are disbanded - includes additional training, vetting and discipline. Many domestic and international actors should be empowered to identify where the ALP contributes to instability, including the councils of elders originally convened to approve the program. Oversight mechanisms should have power only to reduce or eliminate ALP where the program is not working, not authorise bigger rosters or shift resources to new locations. Only a minority of the existing ALP would likely pass muster in such a stringent system, but those remaining should receive pay increases equivalent to those received by the national police (ANP), and adequate support from the government and international community. Washington's allies have been reluctant to get involved with the program, but they should set aside their concerns as ALP members become bona fide policemen and leave behind the ALP's history as a U.S. military project. Details: Brussels: International Crisis Group, 2015. 38p. Source: Internet Resource: Asia Report No. 268: http://www.crisisgroup.org/~/media/Files/asia/south-asia/pakistan/268-the-future-of-the-afghan-local-police.pdf Year: 2015 Country: Afghanistan URL: http://www.crisisgroup.org/~/media/Files/asia/south-asia/pakistan/268-the-future-of-the-afghan-local-police.pdf Shelf Number: 136338 Keywords: Counter-TerrorismPolice BehaviorPolice Education and TrainingPolice EffectivenessPolice PerformancePolice ReformPolicing |
Author: Murray, Kath Title: Stop and Search in Scotland: A Post Reform Overview - Scrutiny and Accountability Summary: This report examines police stop and search practice in the first two years of Police Scotland, following the amalgamation of the eight Scottish forces under the Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012 in April 2013. The report follows on from an earlier evaluation of stop and search published by the Scottish Centre for Crime and Justice Research which examined police practice between 2005 and 2010 (Murray, 2014). This found that by 2010, search rates in Scotland were around four times higher than in England and Wales; that seventy per cent of recorded searches were undertaken without reasonable suspicion; and that searches were disproportionately targeted towards young people in some parts of Scotland. Since its publication, the use of stop and search in Scotland has been subject to an unprecedented degree of media and political attention. Yet despite this spotlight, relatively little is known about police practice in the post-reform period. A Scrutiny Review report by the Scottish Police Authority published in May 2014 provided a snapshot of police practice in the first nine months of Police Scotland. Further cross-sectional data were provided in a review by HM Inspectorate of Policing in Scotland (HMICS, 2015b), and some statistics have been published in the media. Nonetheless, the story seems confused. On the one hand, Police Scotland Executives have pointed to a fall in searches in the post-reform period (e.g. Herald 9/4/15). On the other hand, officers have expressed concerns in relation to a disproportionate focus on stop and search, and pressure to increase the numbers of searches (HMICS, 2015a; 32, 2015b; 54). One of the objectives in this report is to untangle these different interpretations. The report examines police practice from three perspectives: national; local and comparative. At the national level, the trends seem encouraging. In the first two years of Police Scotland, the overall number of recorded searches fell by 38%. The number and proportion of non-statutory searches has fallen, and the overall trend in relation to young people is positive. In 2014/15, the number of recorded searches on sixteen year olds fell by 39% from the previous year. At the local level, the picture is mixed. The overall fall in searches was underpinned by the five ex-Strathclyde Divisions. These Divisions accounted for 83% and 81% of all recorded searches in 2013/14 and 2014/15 respectively. This means that the national picture was not necessarily representative of police practice in the remaining nine Divisions. For example, the use of non-statutory search and the proportion of searches carried out on young people varied considerably across Scotland. Taking a comparative perspective, search rates remain stubbornly high, over and above what might be expected in a small country with relatively low rates of recorded crime. Looking across the 43 forces in England/Wales and the 14 Scottish Divisions, Scottish Divisions accounted for seven of the ten highest ranking Divisions and forces, with the ex-Strathclyde Divisions taking the top five places. Search rates were also comparatively high in other parts of Scotland. For example, in 2014/15, the per capita search rate in Tayside was higher than London. The analysis shows how police practice can be viewed in different ways, each equally valid. This means that precedence should not be given to one outlook over another. Whilst the national picture appears positive, this does not necessarily reflect local policing in Scotland. Nor does the national trend reflect the fact that search rates in Scotland remained unduly high in the first two years of Police Scotland. The report suggests that stop and search rates in Scotland may be attributed to a combination of strict performance management, weak regulation, and to a lack of scrutiny and accountability prior to reform. By the same token, the recent fall in recorded searches can be linked to increasing levels of political and media scrutiny in the post-reform period. On the one hand, this engagement is both welcome and overdue. Prior to the formation of the single service the use of stop and search was not openly accounted for and remained beyond public scrutiny. On the other hand, the degree of critical attention directed towards Police Scotland has destabilized the single service at a time of huge structural change. The report concludes that one of the key challenges therefore is to make the use of stop and search formally accountable. That is, to establish robust governance processes that provide transparency, and ensure that the use of stop and search, and other key powers, are subject to rigorous scrutiny and monitoring. Details: Edinburgh: Scottish Centre for Crime and Justice Research, 2015. 32p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 14, 2015 at: http://www.sccjr.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Stop-and-search-in-Scotland.-A-post-reform-overview-22ndJune2015.pdf Year: 2015 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.sccjr.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Stop-and-search-in-Scotland.-A-post-reform-overview-22ndJune2015.pdf Shelf Number: 136408 Keywords: Police BehaviorPolice DiscretionPolice PerformancePolice PracticeStop and Search |
Author: U.S. Department of Justice Title: Department of Justice Report Regarding the Criminal Investigation into the Shooting Death of Michael Brown by Ferguson, Missouri Police Officer Darren Wilson Summary: At approximately noon on Saturday, August 9, 2014, Officer Darren Wilson of the Ferguson Police Department (FPD) shot and killed Michael Brown, an unarmed 18-year-old. The Criminal Section of the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division, the United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Missouri, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) (collectively, The Department) subsequently opened a criminal investigation into whether the shooting violated federal law. The Department has determined that the evidence does not support charging a violation of federal law. This memorandum details the Department's investigation, findings, and conclusions. Part I provides an introduction and overview. Part II summarizes the federal investigation and the evidence uncovered during the course of the investigation, and discusses the applicable federal criminal civil rights law and standards of federal prosecution. Part III provides a more in-depth summary of the evidence. Finally, Part IV provides a detailed legal analysis of the evidence and explains why the evidence does not support an indictment of Darren Wilson. The Department conducted an extensive investigation into the shooting of Michael Brown. Federal authorities reviewed physical, ballistic, forensic, and crime scene evidence; medical reports and autopsy reports, including an independent autopsy performed by the United States Department of Defense Armed Forces Medical Examiner Service (AFMES); Wilson's personnel records; audio and video recordings; and internet postings. FBI agents, St. Louis County Police Department (SLCPD) detectives, and federal prosecutors and prosecutors from the St. Louis County Prosecutor's Office (county prosecutors) worked cooperatively to both independently and jointly interview more than 100 purported eyewitnesses and other individuals claiming to have relevant information. SLCPD detectives conducted an initial canvass of the area on the day of the shooting. FBI agents then independently canvassed more than 300 residences to locate and interview additional witnesses. Federal and local authorities collected cellular phone data, searched social media sites, and tracked down dozens of leads from community members and dedicated law enforcement email addresses and tip lines in an effort to investigate every possible source of information. The principles of federal prosecution, set forth in the United States Attorneys' Manual (USAM), require federal prosecutors to meet two standards in order to seek an indictment. First, we must be convinced that the potential defendant committed a federal crime. See USAM 9-27.220 (a federal prosecution should be commenced only when an attorney for the government believes that the person's conduct constitutes a federal offense). Second, we must also conclude that we would be likely to prevail at trial, where we must prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt. See USAM 9-27.220 (a federal prosecution should be commenced only when the admissible evidence will probably be sufficient to sustain a conviction); Fed R. Crim P. 29(a)(prosecution must present evidence sufficient to sustain a conviction). Taken together, these standards require the Department to be convinced both that a federal crime occurred and that it can be proven beyond a reasonable doubt at trial. In order to make the proper assessment under these standards, federal prosecutors evaluated physical, forensic, and potential testimonial evidence in the form of witness accounts. As detailed below, the physical and forensic evidence provided federal prosecutors with a benchmark against which to measure the credibility of each witness account, including that of Darren Wilson. We compared individual witness accounts to the physical and forensic evidence, to other credible witness accounts, and to each witness's own prior statements made throughout the investigations, including the proceedings before the St. Louis County grand jury (county grand jury). We worked with federal and local law enforcement officers to interview witnesses, to include re-interviewing certain witnesses in an effort to evaluate inconsistencies in their accounts and to obtain more detailed information. In so doing, we assessed the witnesses' demeanor, tone, bias, and ability to accurately perceive or recall the events of August 9, 2014. We credited and determined that a jury would appropriately credit those witnesses whose accounts were consistent with the physical evidence and consistent with other credible witness accounts. In the case of witnesses who made multiple statements, we compared those statements to determine whether they were materially consistent with each other and considered the timing and circumstances under which the witnesses gave the statements. We did not credit and determined that a jury appropriately would not credit those witness accounts that were contrary to the physical and forensic evidence, significantly inconsistent with other credible witness accounts, or significantly inconsistent with that witness's own prior statements. Based on this investigation, the Department has concluded that Darren Wilson's actions do not constitute prosecutable violations under the applicable federal criminal civil rights statute, 18 U.S.C. 242, which prohibits uses of deadly force that are 'objectively unreasonable,' as defined by the United States Supreme Court. The evidence, when viewed as a whole, does not support the conclusion that Wilson's uses of deadly force were 'objectively unreasonable' under the Supreme Court's definition. Accordingly, under the governing federal law and relevant standards set forth in the USAM, it is not appropriate to present this matter to a federal grand jury for indictment, and it should therefore be closed without prosecution. Details: Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, 2015. 86p. Source: Internet Resource: Memorandum: Accessed August 17, 2015 at: http://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/opa/press-releases/attachments/2015/03/04/doj_report_on_shooting_of_michael_brown_1.pdf Year: 2015 Country: United States URL: http://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/opa/press-releases/attachments/2015/03/04/doj_report_on_shooting_of_michael_brown_1.pdf Shelf Number: 136435 Keywords: Criminal InvestigationDeadly ForcePolice BehaviorPolice Use of Force |
Author: Marin, Andre Title: Oversight Unseen: Investigation into the Special Investigations Unit's operational effectiveness and credibility Summary: Canada received considerable unfavourable international attention last fall when millions witnessed the graphic video images of the last terrifying moments in the life of Robert Dziekanski. After a long and delayed international flight from his native Poland, Mr. Dziekanski arrived at Vancouver Airport, only to spend hours wandering hopelessly, unable to communicate or to obtain the assistance he needed to exit and meet up with his mother. As Mr. Dziekanski became increasingly confused and agitated, RCMP officers arrived and, within minutes, stunned him with a Taser. He was then restrained, and died shortly thereafter. In the aftermath of this tragedy, public accusations were made of cover-up and police using excessive force. People demanded assurance that the truth surrounding his ill-fated encounter with police would be revealed, and many voiced distrust of any investigation that would involve police investigating police. To Ontario's great credit, incidents in this province involving serious injury and death of civilians resulting from police contact are not investigated by police officials, but by the Special Investigations Unit (SIU), a civilian criminal investigative agency. Created in 1990, the SIU's existence is a testament to the strength of democratic principles in this province, and the value our government has placed on reinforcing public confidence in policing. Unfortunately, over the past two years, several serious concerns have been raised by individuals, families, lawyers and community advocates who complained to my Office about the credibility and effectiveness of the SIU. As previous independent reviews have documented, the SIU's early history was marked by successive governments failing to provide it with adequate resources, and by police officials aggressively resisting its oversight. While its resources have increased over time, and regulatory requirements now more clearly define police obligations, my investigation found that the Special Investigations Unit continues to struggle to assert its authority, maintain its balance against powerful police interests, and carry out its mandate effectively. The SIU is still very much a fledgling organization. It does not have its own constituting legislation, its mandate lacks clarity, it is administratively and technically challenged and it is dependent on the Ministry of the Attorney General. In turn, the Ministry of the Attorney General has relied on the SIU to soothe police and community sensibilities and to ward off controversy. But in doing so, it performance is subjectively evaluated and rewarded, compromising the SIU's structural integrity and independence. Its credibility as an independent investigative agency is further undermined by the predominant presence and continuing police links of former police officials within the SIU. It is so steeped in police culture that it has, at times, even tolerated the blatant display of police insignia and police affiliation. In addition to lacking the necessary statutory authority to act decisively when police officials fail to comply with regulatory requirements, the SIU often ignores the tools it does have, such as public censure, and adopts an impotent stance in the face of police challenge. Delays in police providing notice of incidents, in disclosing notes, and in submitting to interviews are endemic. Rather than vigorously inquiring into and documenting delays and other evidence of police resistance, the SIU deals with issues of police non-co-operation as isolated incidents. It ignores systemic implications and attempts to solve individual problems through a conciliatory approach. The SIU has not only become complacent about ensuring that police officials follow the rules, it has bought into the fallacious argument that SIU investigations aren't like other criminal cases, and that it is acceptable to treat police witnesses differently from civilians. Police interviews are rarely held within the regulatory time frames, and are all too often postponed - for weeks, sometimes even months. The SIU will not inconvenience officers or police forces by interviewing officers off duty. When it encounters overt resistance from police officials, the SIU pursues a low-key diplomatic approach that flies under the public radar. If disagreement cannot be resolved, the SIU more often than not simply accepts defeat. The SIU also fails to respond to incidents with rigour and urgency - at times inexplicably overlooking the closest investigators, and following routines that result in precious investigative minutes, sometimes hours, being lost. It has become mired in its own internal events, and introspective focus. The SIU's system of oversight is out of balance. It must not only ensure accountability of police conduct, but be perceived by the public as doing so. At present, the public is expected to trust that the SIU conducts thorough and objective investigations and accept that its decisions are well founded when it decides, for example, not to charge officers. But much remains hidden from public view, including Director's reports and significant policy issues. In order to properly serve the function it was created to fulfill, greater transparency is required with respect to the SIU's investigative outcomes, as well as those of the police disciplinary system triggered by SIU investigations. In theory, the SIU is a fundamental pillar of accountability in Ontario. However, the reality is that the SIU is capable of much more than it is achieving at present. It is incumbent on government to provide the agencies it creates with the means to fully accomplish their mandates. The citizens of Ontario are entitled to a Special Investigations Unit with the necessary resources and tools to be the best that it can be. With that in mind, I have made 46 recommendations in this report, addressed at improving the system. The first 25 recommendations focus on the SIU itself. I believe that there is much that the SIU can do on its own to enhance and inject more rigour into its investigative practices, and its response to challenges to its authority. I have also made recommendations to address the issues created by a lingering police culture within the SIU, and to achieve greater transparency. Details: Ottawa: Ombudsman Ontario, 2008. 124p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 5, 2015 at: http://www.siu.on.ca/pdfs/marin_report_2008.pdf Year: 2008 Country: Canada URL: http://www.siu.on.ca/pdfs/marin_report_2008.pdf Shelf Number: 136686 Keywords: Complaints Against the PoliceInvestigationsOmbudsmanPolice AccountabilityPolice BehaviorPolice MisconductPolice OversightPolice Use of Force |
Author: Hyland, Shelley Title: Police Use of Nonfatal Force, 2002-11 Summary: This report presents data on the threat or use of nonfatal force by police against white, black, and Hispanic residents during police contact. This report describes the characteristics of the contact, the type of force threatened or used, and the perceptions that force was excessive or the police behaved properly during the contact. It also examines trends in the threat or use of force and the relationship between officer and driver race and Hispanic origin in traffic stops involving the threat or use of force. Data are from the 2002, 2005, 2008, and 2011 Police-Public Contact Surveys, which were administered as supplements to the National Crime Victimization Survey. Highlights: Across the four PPCS data collections from 2002-11, blacks (3.5%) were more likely to experience nonfatal force during their most recent contact with police than whites (1.4%) and Hispanics (2.1%). A greater percentage of persons who experienced the use of force (44.1%) had two or more contacts with police than those who did not experience force (27.5%). Blacks (13.7%) were at least slightly more likely to experience nonfatal force than whites (6.9%) and Hispanics (5.9%) during street stops. Of those who experienced force during their most recent contact, approximately three-quarters described the verbal (71.4%) or physical (75.0%) force as excessive. Of those who experienced force during their most recent contact, 86.7% did not believe the police behaved properly. Details: Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2015. 17p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 16, 2015 at: http://www.bjs.gov/content/pub/pdf/punf0211.pdf Year: 2015 Country: United States URL: http://www.bjs.gov/content/pub/pdf/punf0211.pdf Shelf Number: 137296 Keywords: Police BehaviorPolice DiscretionPolice Use of ForcePolice-Citizen Contact |
Author: Blitz, Marc Jonathan Title: Police Body-Worn Cameras: Evidentiary Benefits and Privacy Threats Summary: In this Issue Brief, Professor Blitz examines the costs and benefits of body-worn cameras programs. Acknowledging that cameras will not serve as a panacea, Professor Blitz outlines policies that police departments should adopt to ensure the maximum effectiveness of such programs. As Blitz observes, even though such footage is flawed, it is better than accounts given by eyewitnesses long after the event occurred. Blitz admits that such cameras can "transform ephemeral and forgettable moments into permanent and easily shared records" of the parts of our lives we may be "least comfortable sharing with others." To address these privacy concerns, Blitz examines model rules that place greater restrictions on police use of cameras in private homes and prevent the viewing or dissemination of body camera footage except in limited circumstances. Ultimately, Professor Blitz concludes that body-worn cameras can be an important tool in efforts to combat police abuse, if used in accordance with clear guidelines proposed. Details: Washington, DC: American Constitution Society, 2015. 20p. Source: Internet Resource: Issue Brief: Accessed December 1, 2015 at: https://www.acslaw.org/sites/default/files/Blitz_-_On-Body_Cameras_-_Issue_Brief.pdf Year: 2015 Country: United States URL: https://www.acslaw.org/sites/default/files/Blitz_-_On-Body_Cameras_-_Issue_Brief.pdf Shelf Number: 137375 Keywords: Body-Worn CamerasLaw Enforcement Technology Police AccountabilityPolice Behavior Police SurveillancePolice Technology Police-Citizen Interactions Police-Community Relations Video Technology |
Author: New York City Department of Investigation Title: Body-Worn Cameras in NYC: An Assessment of NYPD's Pilot Program and Recommendations to Promote Accountability Summary: In September 2014, New York City Police Department (NYPD) Commissioner William Bratton announced the launch of a small-scale pilot program to test the use of body-worn cameras (BWCs) by New York City police officers (Volunteer BWC Pilot Program). In mid- December 2014, the Volunteer BWC Pilot Program began with 54 BWCs deployed to patrol officers across the City. BWCs are mobile cameras worn by police officers that can capture audio and video recordings of encounters between police and members of the public. BWC technology has drawn national attention for its potential to improve policing while promoting transparency and accountability in law enforcement. Police departments using BWCs have reported positive changes in the conduct of both citizens and officers, as well as speedier resolutions to police misconduct complaints and litigation. As a result, BWC programs continue to spread rapidly across the country, and numerous organizations and advocacy groups have published reports and issued their own model BWC policies. However, with the potential benefits of BWCs come certain costs and concerns, including risks to the privacy and safety of both officers and the public. As NYPD ventures into the new, evolving, and high-profile world of BWCs, it will need to ensure that the policies and procedures governing BWC use are fair, practical, legal, and transparent. To this end, the New York of the Inspector General for the NYPD (OIG-NYPD) has conducted a detailed review of NYPD's Volunteer BWC Pilot Program in order to assess how certain key topics are addressed and to identify areas not adequately covered by the policy. Specifically, OIG-NYPD focused on five topics at the forefront of the discussion surrounding BWCs: - Officer discretion regarding when to record - Notifications to citizens by officers when a BWC is activated - Safeguards to ensure officer compliance with BWC policy - Access to footage by officers and the public - Retention and purging of BWC footage These issues are critical components of any BWC policy and have stirred the greatest controversy among police executives, oversight agencies, officers, and the unions that represent them. In order to better understand the Volunteer BWC Pilot Program in both theory and practice, OIG-NYPD conducted several meetings with the NYPD team that created, launched, and is overseeing the Volunteer BWC Pilot Program. Separately, OIG-NYPD interviewed multiple police officers who are participating in the program and wearing BWCs on patrol. As BWCs impact various groups, OIG-NYPD also consulted with entities that deal directly with NYPD - such as the Patrolmen's Benevolent Association (PBA), Civilian Complaint Review Board (CCRB), representatives from each of the City's five District Attorney's Offices and community advocates. Lastly, OIG-NYPD's evaluation of the Volunteer BWC Pilot Program included a comparative examination of NYPD's Operations Order 48 "Pilot Program - Use of Body-Worn Cameras" (Op Order 48) against the BWC policies of other police departments across the country and the policy recommendations of numerous independent studies. Through this work, OIG-NYPD was able to conduct a thorough and unique assessment of Op Order 48, specifically tailored to New York City's distinct policing environment. Based on the information gathered, OIG-NYPD developed 23 recommendations for improving the use of BWCs as NYPD transitions from its current pilot program to a more expansive long-term BWC program. Several of these recommendations - based on interviews with police officials and prosecutors, as well as the experiences of police departments nationwide - involve the safety of officers and witnesses as well as the integrity of the prosecution process. Details: New York: Department of Investigation, Office of the Inspector General, 2015. 71p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed December 1, 2015 at: http://www.nyc.gov/html/oignypd/assets/downloads/pdf/nypd-body-camera-report.pdf Year: 2015 Country: United States URL: http://www.nyc.gov/html/oignypd/assets/downloads/pdf/nypd-body-camera-report.pdf Shelf Number: 137413 Keywords: Body-Worn Cameras Law Enforcement Technology Police Accountability Police Behavior Police Surveillance Police Technology Police-Citizen Interactions Police-Community Relations Video Technology |
Author: Edmonton Police Service Title: Body Worn Video: Considering the Evidence Summary: The Edmonton Police Service has completed a comprehensive three-year study to assess the effectiveness of body worn video (BWV) for use by its officers, and as a result of the research findings, will proceed with a graduated deployment of cameras to specialized police units at this time. The EPS BWV pilot project ran from October 2011 to December 2014, with operational field testing through a variety of environments from October 2012 to July 2014. This project was partially funded through the Canadian Police Research Centre and continued under the Canadian Safety and Security Program, which is a federal program led by Defence Research and Development Canada's Centre for Security Science, in partnership with Public Safety Canada. From the outset, privacy has been a major consideration of the EPS BWV project. The EPS research team consulted with the Alberta Privacy Commissioner who provided valuable insight and recommendations. Respective of this input, the EPS created policies and procedures for the BWV pilot project that aligned with the BWV guidance document issued by the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada. As part of the BWV testing, the EPS issued 56 industry-standard cameras to officers in: Downtown Division and Beats; West Edmonton Mall and Whyte Avenue Beats; the Impaired Driving Countermeasures Unit; and with the Disaster and Emergency Operations Unit for a training exercise with Fire Rescue and EMS. While the body worn video project reviewed technical performance, legal considerations, and usefulness in everyday policing and investigations, it also surveyed the public and police officers on their opinion. Based on the pilot project findings, the EPS has decided to proceed with a graduated deployment of a body worn video program over the next two to five years. Cameras will be used by officers who are involved in high-risk interactions with the public, where the officers are on the scene of a crime being committed, and the evidence captured on video is of the greatest value in providing information to the courts. Examples include: the Specialized Traffic Apprehension Team (STAT) that intercept high-risk vehicles; the Impaired Driving Countermeasures Unit for Checkstop operations; Tactical Team entries where weapons may be involved; and the Public Order Unit when responding to riots. The graduated roll-out of BWV will require training of officers, revising instructional materials, modifying police uniforms to carry cameras, as well as submitting a service package for funding, sourcing newer BWV cameras, and utilizing a new digital asset management system. Details: Edmonton, Alberta: Edmonton Police Service, 2015. 241p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 8, 2016 at: http://www.bwvsg.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Edmonton-Police-BWV-Final-Report.pdf Year: 2015 Country: Canada URL: http://www.bwvsg.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Edmonton-Police-BWV-Final-Report.pdf Shelf Number: 137812 Keywords: Body-Worn CamerasLaw Enforcement Technology (U.S.) Police Accountability Police Behavior Police Technology Police-Citizen Interactions Police-Community Relations Surveillance Video Technology |
Author: Hurley, Greg Title: Body-Worn Cameras and the Courts Summary: In response to the August 9, 2014 shooting death of Michael Brown by Officer Darren Wilson in Ferguson, Missouri, a citizen petition was posted on the White House website, petitions.whitehouse.gov. It asked people to sign if they supported a law requiring all state, county, and local police to wear body-worn cameras, or BWCs. Within a few weeks, the petition collected 150,000 signatures. The response to this petition received national mainstream media attention. Roy L. Austin, Jr., deputy assistant to the president for the Office of Urban Affairs, Justice and Opportunity in the Domestic Policy Council, responded to the petition on behalf of the administration. He noted that research suggested that BWCs can have significant benefits to the community, which can include: - evidence that both officers and civilians acted in a more positive manner when they were aware that a camera was present; - new opportunities for effective training of law enforcement officers presented by the use of cameras; and - useful evidence of interactions was often captured on video. However, he also stated that the cost of this technology cannot be ignored, and there are some significant unanswered questions that need to be addressed, such as: - What is the most effective type of camera (vehicle, body, weapon) - and if body, where is it best placed (lapel, ear, belt)? - What are the privacy implications of having officers record interactions with the public? - When should cameras be turned on? - Does every officer on a force need a camera? - How long should video data be maintained and who should have access to it? - What is the impact on community relationships? On December 2, 2014, Shaun Donovan, the director of the White House's Office of Management and Budget, announced that a proposed, three-year $263 million Community Policing Initiative would include an investment package that would increase the use of BWCs. This was a significant statement from the Obama Administration and demonstrated the administration's view that BWCs could be a useful tool in providing greater officer accountability and promoting more trust in law enforcement by the general public. On September 21, 2015, the Department of Justice announced over $23 million in federal funding to support a BWC pilot program, which will support 73 local and tribal law enforcement agencies in 32 states. In their press release, they noted that this was done as a "part of President Obama's commitment to building trust and transparency between law enforcement and the communities they serve." This development is not surprising as the Obama Administration had previously indicated a willingness to deploy BWC technology. It is reasonable to assume that the cumulative effect of public support for officers using BWCs, and the federal government's willingness to provide funding for a significant pilot program, suggests that BWCs will become an increasingly common piece of law enforcement equipment. In fact, the author is of the opinion that within the next five to ten years, the vast majority of law enforcement officers nationally will be equipped with and required to wear and use BWCs. Details: Williamsburg, VA: National Center for State Courts, 2016. 56p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 22, 2016 at: http://ncsc.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/criminal/id/268 Year: 2016 Country: United States URL: http://ncsc.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/criminal/id/268 Shelf Number: 137938 Keywords: Body-Worn Cameras Law Enforcement Technology (U.S.) Police Accountability Police Behavior Police Technology Police-Citizen Interactions Police-Community Relations Surveillance Video Technology |
Author: Wheller, Levin Title: The Greater Manchester Police procedural justice training experiment: the impact of communication skills training on officers and victims of crime Summary: A growing body of research has shown that people's motivations to cooperate with the police and not break the law are shaped more by feeling the police have legitimate authority, and share the same values, than by people's perceived risk of being caught and punished. Given public perceptions of fair treatment are at the root of police legitimacy, improved police-public interactions over the long term could help reduce crime. There is limited evidence on which interventions can improve public perceptions of fair treatment by the police. The Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT) reported in this paper tested the impact of training on the perceived quality of interactions between the police and crime victims in Greater Manchester. The intervention focused on developing officers' practical communication skills. In total, 339 officers were randomly assigned to the treatment group (to receive the training) and 237 to the control group (to not receive the training). As the officers were assigned at random, differences between the groups after the training can be directly attributed to the intervention. RCTs are considered the 'gold standard' in evaluation research as they can establish 'cause and effect' relationships. Main findings Officer attitudes An online survey measured officer attitudes post-training. The intervention was found to have had a positive effect on four out of eight possible outcomes, with no effect on the remaining four. Officers in the treatment group were more likely than those in the control group to: hold positive views about delivering quality of service; recognise the value of building empathy and rapport with victims; and report making decisions that involved victims in the process. Officer behaviour Officer behaviour was assessed post-training in a realistic role-play exercise. The intervention was found to have had a positive impact, with officers in the treatment group scoring significantly higher than those in the control group on a 'quality of interaction' scale. In terms of fair treatment, these officers were more likely to give victims a choice about how the incident was to be dealt with (a 14 percentage point difference). A higher proportion were also rated as 'good/excellent' in terms of their overall performance (48% compared to 22%). Victim perceptions An existing force survey was used to measure the perceptions of crime victims who had contact with officers in the trial. The intervention was found to have had a significant positive effect on a 'quality of interaction' scale. No effect was found for overall victim satisfaction and willingness to cooperate with the police. Given that most victims were already satisfied and cooperative, it was unlikely the training could produce an effect size large enough to be detected by the survey. It is possible, therefore, that the training might have had a bigger effect in more challenging encounters where public perceptions of the police are more varied. Conclusions The trial showed that training which seeks to teach officers a series of practical techniques and improve their general communication skills can be effective at improving the victim experience. While some of the effects were relatively small, the overall pattern of results points consistently to training having had a positive impact on outcomes. Findings from across the outcome measures suggest that - rather than officers adopting specific techniques or skills they were taught on the course - training instead encouraged a more general shift in the way officers approached interactions with the public. Officers in the treatment group developed a greater awareness of the need to listen to and empathise with victims of crime - resulting in improved public perceptions. Details: Ryton-on-Dunsmore, UK: College of Policing, 2013. 22p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 9, 2016 at: http://whatworks.college.police.uk/Research/Documents/GMP%20Practitioner_Paper_Final.pdf Year: 2013 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://whatworks.college.police.uk/Research/Documents/GMP%20Practitioner_Paper_Final.pdf Shelf Number: 138148 Keywords: Communication Skills Police BehaviorPolice Training Police-Citizen InteractionsPolice-Community Relations Policing Procedural Justice |
Author: James, Nathan Title: Public Trust and Law Enforcement -- a Brief Discussion for Policymakers Summary: Recent events involving conflict between the police and citizens have generated interest in what role Congress could play in facilitating efforts to build trust between law enforcement and the people they serve while promoting effective crime reduction. This report provides a brief overview of police-community relations and how the federal government might be able to promote more accountability and better relationships between citizens and law enforcement. Gallup poll data show that, overall, Americans are confident in the police; but, confidence in the police varies according to race, place of residence, and other factors. In 2014, less than 50% of Americans favorably rated the honesty and ethics of police, the lowest percentage since 1998. If they conclude that low public ratings of the police are at least partially attributable to police policies, Congress may decide to address state and local law enforcement policies and practices they believe erode public trust in law enforcement. Federalism limits the amount of influence Congress can have over state and local law enforcement policy. Regardless, the federal government might choose to promote better law enforcement-community relations and accountability through (1) federal efforts to collect and disseminate data on the use of force by law enforcement, (2) statutes that allow the federal government to investigate instances of alleged police misconduct, and (3) the influence the Department of Justice (DOJ) has on state and local policing through its role as an enforcer, policy leader, convener, and funder of law enforcement. There are several options policy makers might examine should they choose to play a role in facilitating better police-community relations: - Congress could consider placing conditions on federal funding to encourage law enforcement to adopt policy changes to promote better community relations. - Policy makers could consider expanding efforts to collect more comprehensive data on the use of force by law enforcement officers. - Congress could consider providing grants to law enforcement agencies so they could purchase body-worn cameras for their officers. - Policy makers could take steps to facilitate investigations and prosecutions of excessive force by amending 18 U.S.C. S242 to reduce the mens rea standard in federal prosecutions, or place conditions on federal funds to promote the use of special prosecutors at the state level. - Congress could fund Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) hiring grants so law enforcement agencies could hire more officers to engage in community policing activities. - Policy makers might consider using the influence of congressional authority to affect the direction of national criminal justice policy. Details: Washington, DC: Congressional Research Service, 2016. 27p. Source: Internet Resource: R43904: Accessed March 29, 2016 at: https://www.hsdl.org/?view&did=762775 Year: 2016 Country: United States URL: https://www.hsdl.org/?view&did=762775 Shelf Number: 138452 Keywords: Criminal Justice PolicePolice AccountabilityPolice BehaviorPolice LegitimacyPolice-Citizen InteractionsPolice-Community Relations |
Author: U.S. Department of Justice. Civil Rights Division Title: Investigation of the Newark Police Department Summary: The Justice Department announced today it has reached a comprehensive settlement with the city of Newark, New Jersey, that will bring wide-ranging reforms and changes to the Newark Police Department (NPD). The agreement, which is subject to court approval, resolves the department's findings that NPD has engaged in a pattern or practice of unconstitutional stops, searches, arrests, use of excessive force and theft by officers in violation of the First, Fourth and 14th Amendments. The proposed consent decree also resolves the department's findings that NPD's law enforcement practices had a disparate impact on minorities in Newark. The Justice Department's findings were announced in July 2014 following a comprehensive investigation into the NPD started in May 2011. The investigation also found that this pattern of constitutional violations has eroded public confidence in the police. As a result, public safety suffers and the job of delivering police services was more difficult and more dangerous. Under the consent decree, the city of Newark and NPD will implement comprehensive reforms in 12 substantive areas. The agreement ensures that: -NPD will improve officer training to ensure that officers develop the necessary technical and practical skills required to carry out NPD directives consistently. -NPD will revise search and seizure policies, training and supervision to ensure that all stops, searches and arrests are conducted in accordance with the Constitution and in a manner that takes into account community priorities. -NPD will integrate bias-free policing principles into all levels of the organization, including comprehensive training of officers and supervisors. -NPD will reform use of force policies, including requirements for using de-escalation techniques whenever possible and appropriate, prohibiting retaliatory force and ensuring mandatory reporting and investigation standards following use of force. -NPD will deploy in-car and body-worn cameras to promote accountability, instill community confidence and improve law enforcement records. -NPD will implement measures to prevent theft of property by officers, including robust reporting and complete accounting of property or evidenced seized. -Office of Professional Standards investigators will be appropriately qualified and trained. Investigations of civilian complaints will be conducted in an objective, thorough and timely manner. -Newark will create a civilian oversight entity to give voice to and pursue concerns of its residents. -NPD will develop protocols for conducting compliance reviews and integrity audits. -NPD will implement steps to ensure that the disciplinary process is fair and consistent. -NPD will improve records management and early intervention systems and collect data on all uses of force and investigatory stops, searches and arrests, and develop a protocol for the comprehensive analysis of the data. The information will be publicly reported. -NPD will strengthen its public information programs to ensure that members of the public are informed of NPD’s progress toward reform. Details: Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, 2014. 52p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 6, 2016 at: https://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/usao-nj/legacy/2014/07/22/NPD%20Findings%20Report.pdf Year: 2014 Country: United States URL: https://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/usao-nj/legacy/2014/07/22/NPD%20Findings%20Report.pdf Shelf Number: 138958 Keywords: Police BehaviorPolice CorruptionPolice DisciplinePolice EthicsPolice IntegrityPolice MisconductPolice Reform |
Author: Murray, Kath Title: Landscape Review on Stop and Search in Scotland Summary: This report presents a landscape review of academic and policy research and evidence on stop and search in Scotland. The report was commissioned by the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) via the Scottish Institute for Policing Research. It is not an exhaustive systematic evidence review. Rather the aim is to provide an overview of the key findings and themes in the existing evidence base, and relate these to the direction of police policy and practice in Scotland. The review also aims to support the Authority's commitment to building a stronger and more holistic research picture on the wider societal impact of stop and search. Details: Edinburgh: University of Edinburgh, 2015. 82p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 11, 2016 at: http://www.sipr.ac.uk/downloads/Landscape_review_stop_search_270116.pdf Year: 2015 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.sipr.ac.uk/downloads/Landscape_review_stop_search_270116.pdf Shelf Number: 139394 Keywords: Police Accountability Police Behavior Police Discretion Police Performance Police PracticeStop and Search |
Author: Bradford, Ben Title: Enabling and Constraining Police Power: On the Moral Regulation of Policing Summary: In this paper we consider some of the ethical challenges inherent in the regulation of discretionary police power. Discretion is central to police policy and practice, but it also provides a level of freedom that opens up the space for injustice and inequity, and this is seen most vividly in recent debates about unfairness and racial profiling in the distribution and experience of police stops in the US and UK. How to regulate discretionary power is a challenging question, and this is especially so in the context of practices like stop-and-search/stop-and-frisk. The ability to stop people in the street and question them is central to policing as it is understood in many liberal democracies, but under conditions of unfairness and questionable efficacy - when the application of this particular police power appears unethical as well as ineffective - one can reasonably ask whether the power should be dropped or curtailed, and if curtailed, how this would work in practice. Details: London: London School of Economics, 2015. 28p. Source: Internet Resource: LSE Law, Society and Economy Working Papers 23/2015: Accessed July 25, 2016 at: https://www.lse.ac.uk/collections/law/wps/WPS2015-23_BradfordJackson.pdf Year: 2015 Country: International URL: https://www.lse.ac.uk/collections/law/wps/WPS2015-23_BradfordJackson.pdf Shelf Number: 139848 Keywords: Police BehaviorPolice DiscretionPolice EthicsRacial Profiling in Law EnforcementStop and Search |
Author: Morrow, Weston Title: Examining the Potential for Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Use of Force During NYPD Stop and Frisk Activities Summary: Since the 1990s, stop and frisk activities have been a cornerstone of the New York Police Department (NYPD). The manner in which the NYPD has carried out stop, question, and frisks (SQFs), however, has been a focal point of discussion, resulting in public outrage and two major lawsuits. Recently, the Federal District Court Judge ruled that the NYPD was engaging in unconstitutional stop-and-frisk practices that targeted predominately Black and Latino New Yorkers. Questions surrounding the NYPD's SQF practices have almost exclusively focused on racial and ethnic disproportionality in the rate of stops without necessarily considering what transpired during the stop. This study will fill that void by examining the prevalence and nature of use of force during those stops, along with testing the minority threat hypothesis. By combining micro-level measures from the NYPD's 2012 "Stop, Question, and Frisk" database with macro-level variables collected from the United States Census Bureau, the current study examines police use of force in the context of SQF activities. The results should help judges, policy makers, police officers, and scholars understand the nature of police use of force in the context of SQFs. Details: Tempe, AZ: Arizona State University, 2015. 203p. Source: Internet Resource: Dissertation: Accessed August 26, 2016 at: https://repository.asu.edu/attachments/157948/content/Morrow_asu_0010E_15162.pdf Year: 2015 Country: United States URL: https://repository.asu.edu/attachments/157948/content/Morrow_asu_0010E_15162.pdf Shelf Number: 140046 Keywords: Police BehaviorPolice DiscretionPolice Use of ForceRacial DiscriminationRacial Profiling in Law Enforcement Stop and FriskStop and Search |
Author: Murray, Kath Title: Understanding and Preventing Youth Crime Survey (UPYC) Early Findings: Stop and Search in Glasgow and Edinburgh Summary: This report presents data and analysis on children's experiences of stop and search in Glasgow and Edinburgh. The analysis in the report is based on data from the Understanding and Preventing Youth Crime (UPYC) survey, a UK wide project that examines children's experiences of crime, victimisation and policing. The report was commissioned by the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) in order to meet Recommendation 11 of the SPA Scrutiny Review on Stop and Search: The SPA should commission research, in conjunction with others, to establish the short and long term impact of stop and search on different groups and communities. In particular, this should cover the short and long term impact of stop and search activity on young people. (SPA, 2014; 26) The UPYC questionnaire was administered to 2,186 secondary school children in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Sheffield and Birmingham between September 2014 and December 2015. In Glasgow and Edinburgh, 1,286 pupils aged between twelve and sixteen years old took part in the survey, while in Sheffield and Birmingham, 900 children took part. This report focuses on children's experiences in Glasgow and Edinburgh (some comparisons are drawn with Sheffield and Birmingham). The report examines the overall and varying prevalence of stop and search, police effectiveness, and how children feel about being stopped and searched. The key findings are shown below. The overall and varying prevalence of stop and search - Overall, nearly a quarter of children in Glasgow and Edinburgh (23%) said that they had been stopped and searched at least once in their lifetime. - The overall prevalence of stop and search in Glasgow and Edinburgh (23%) was around three times higher than Sheffield and Birmingham (8%). - Across the four cities, prevalence ranged from 5% in Birmingham, to 26% in Glasgow. - Children in Glasgow were more likely to have been searched on multiple occasions, compared to children in Edinburgh. Amongst those children who were searched in the last 12 months, over a fifth (21%) in Glasgow had been searched on six or more occasions, compared to 2% in Edinburgh. School year/age (Glasgow and Edinburgh) - One of the strongest predictors of being stopped and searched was school year. In Glasgow and Edinburgh, 37% of children in S4 (15 and 16 year olds) had been stopped and searched on at least one occasion, compared to 11% in Birmingham and Sheffield. Gender (Glasgow and Edinburgh) - The prevalence of stop and search was slightly higher among boys than girls, at 26% and 21% respectively. - However, boys were more likely to be searched on multiple occasions. Amongst those who had been searched in the last twelve months, 20% of boys had been stopped and searched six times or more, compared to 11% of girls. - When controlling for other factors, multivariate analysis showed that boys were around 1.6 times more likely to be stopped and searched than girls. Ethnicity (Glasgow and Edinburgh) - Asian children were less likely to be stopped and searched, compared to White children. Otherwise, there were no statistically significant differences across the ethnic groups in the survey. Education and social class (Glasgow and Edinburgh) - Children who said that they did badly at school were more likely to have been searched, compared to those who said that they performed well at school. Over half (53%) of those who said that their achievement was poor or well below average had been stopped and searched, compared to 13% who said that their achievement was well above average or excellent. - When controlling for other factors, children who attended state schools were 2.6 times more likely to have been searched, compared to children who attended independent schools. However, self-reported offending rates between these two groups did not vary. Family support and involvement (Glasgow and Edinburgh) - The prevalence of stop and search was lower amongst children with higher levels of family support and involvement. Children whose parents rarely knew their whereabouts, what they were doing, or whom they were with were more likely to have been stopped and searched by the police. For example, 73% of children who said that their parents/carers seldom or never knew where they were had been searched, compared to 18% who said that their parents/carers often or almost always knew where they were. Offending behaviour (Glasgow and Edinburgh) - Half of the children (50%) in the survey said they had never taken part in a crime, rising to three quarters (75%) when excluding illegally downloading music or films from the internet. Excluding illegal downloads, 9% of children said they had committed an offence on two or more occasions in the last year. - When controlling for other factors, children who had been involved in a group fight in the last twelve months were 4.6 times more likely to have been stopped and searched, compared to children who had not. - However, other types of offending, including weapon carrying and drug misuse, were not significantly associated with being stopped and searched. - The likelihood of being searched was higher amongst children who said that they had committed an offence in the last 12 months, compared to those who had not. - However, in absolute terms, the number of children who were searched and said they had not committed a crime was higher than the number who had been searched and had committed a crime. Alcohol (Glasgow and Edinburgh) - Children who had drunk alcohol in the last month were 2.5 times more likely to have been stopped and searched, compared to those who had not. - The demographics of stop and search appeared to be out of kilter with the demographics of stop and search. In general, the prevalence of underage drinking (in the last month) was higher in Edinburgh (compared to Glasgow), amongst girls (compared to boys) and amongst children who attended independent schools (compared to mainstream state schools). Note however, that we do not know whether alcohol was consumed at home, or in public, or how the alcohol was accessed. Victimisation (Glasgow and Edinburgh) - Children who said that someone had taken, or tried to take something from them either by force or the threat of force (i.e. robbery) were 2.8 times more likely to have been searched, compared to those who had not. - Children who said that either they or a friend had been physically attacked on the way home from school on more than one occasion were 6 times more likely to have been searched, compared to those who had not. The effectiveness of stop and search (Glasgow and Edinburgh) - Overall, 13% of stop and search encounters in the last twelve months resulted in detection. This finding is consistent with Police Scotland data, which shows that between June and December 2015, 14% of stop searches involving 12 to 16 year olds resulted in detection. By contrast, Police Scotland data show that 24% of all stop searches carried out on persons of all ages in the same period were positive. - The prevalence of stop and search was higher in neighbourhoods with higher perceived levels of crime and disorder, suggesting that officers generally targeted the 'right places'. - However, at the individual level, involvement in criminal behaviour was a poor indicator for stop and search. Of those children who had been stopped and searched, 61% said that they had not been involved in offending behaviour in the last 12 months (excluding illegal downloading). How children feel about being stopped and searched (Glasgow and Edinburgh) - Children who had been stopped and searched tended to be equivocal or negative about their experiences. A third (34%) said that the officers were 'not at all' fair, compared to 14% who said that the officers were 'very fair.' - A third (35%) said the officers were 'a bit' professional, compared to around a fifth (18%) who said that the officers were 'very' polite and respectful. - Nearly a third of children in Glasgow (32%) said that the police were 'not at all' polite and respectful, compared to 18% in Edinburgh. - Half of those respondents who were searched said that the officers had explained the reason. Of these children, three quarters (75%) said that they understood the reason. - Four in ten (39%) said the officers had asked if they were happy for the search to go ahead. Most of these children (79%) gave their agreement to be searched. - Children mostly felt annoyed at being searched, rather than scared or embarrassed. A third of children (35%) said that they felt 'very' annoyed, and a quarter (25%) said they felt 'quite' annoyed. - Very few children (7%) said that being stopped and searched made them feel 'very' safe on the streets, while 70% said it did not make them feel at all safer. - The views of children who had been stopped and searched at least once tended to be more negative towards the police, compared to those who had not been searched. For example, more than a third (37%) of children who had been searched said they thought the police 'almost never' treated young people with respect, compared to 15% who had not been searched. - A third (34%) of children who had been stopped and searched thought that the police 'almost never' made fair decisions when dealing with young people, compared to 14% who had not been searched. - Over half (53%) of children who had been stopped and searched thought that the police appreciate what young people think, compared to 32% who had not been searched. Details: Glasgow: Scottish Police Authority, 2016. 46p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 20, 2016 at: http://www.spa.police.uk/assets/128635/352708/uypcstopandsearch Year: 2016 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.spa.police.uk/assets/128635/352708/uypcstopandsearch Shelf Number: 140368 Keywords: Delinquency PreventionJuvenile OffendersPolice Behavior Police Discretion Police Practice Stop and Search |
Author: Goff, Phillip Atiba Title: The Science of Justice: Race, Arrests, and Police Use of Force Summary: Despite the importance of understanding how race intersects with police use of force, little research has used police administrative data to investigate whether or not disparities exist. Because the dominant narrative around race and law enforcement is that crime rates drive police behavior, we used data from the National Justice Database - the Center for Policing Equity's project to provide national-level data and analyses on police behavior - to investigate racial disparities in use of force benchmarking against demographics of local arrest rates. Even though this is a conservative estimate of bias, the analyses of 12 law enforcement departments from geographically and demographically diverse locations revealed that racial disparities in police use of force persist even when controlling for racial distribution of local arrest rates. Additionally, multiple participating departments still demonstrated racial disparities when force incidents were bench-marked exclusively against Part I violent arrests, such that Black residents were still more likely than Whites to be targeted for force. This method is very likely prone to underestimate racial disparities because African Americans are over-represented in violent crime arrests but Part I violent crimes constitute only 1/24th of all arrests nationally (BJS, 2012), and previous research has found arrests for violent crimes to involve police use of force only 1.3 times as often as arrests for all other crimes (Worden, 1995). These disparities were robust across multiple categories of force (hand weapon, OC spray, and Tasers). In addition to these findings and consistent with previous literature, Taser usage represented a large percentage of departments' use of force. Specifically, residents who were targeted for force were far more likely to be targeted by Tasers than by deadly weapons. While previous research has demonstrated the stark rise of Taser usage (Taylor et al., 2011) and its potential to reduce injuries (Alpert et al., 2011), the relatively high incidence of Taser usage relative to all other categories (it was the second most common category across all departments trailing only hand/body weapons) deserves significantly more public and scholarly attention given that Tasers are also the category closest to use of deadly force in most use of force continuums. It is important to be cautious about overgeneralizing these results because of the relatively small number of departments and because we do not know very much about what residents did during the interactions that turned forceful. However, the narrative that crime is the primary driver of racial disparities is not supported within the context of these departments. This suggests that scholars and practitioners should look at racial disparities in other situational factors (e.g., resistance, drug and alcohol use, and officer perceptions of dangerousness) to determine whether or not they explain racial disparities in force. Details: Los Angeles: Center for Policing Equity, 2016. 29p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 20, 2016 at: http://policingequity.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/CPE_SoJ_Race-Arrests-UoF_2016-07-08-1130.pdf Year: 2016 Country: United States URL: http://policingequity.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/CPE_SoJ_Race-Arrests-UoF_2016-07-08-1130.pdf Shelf Number: 140377 Keywords: Police BehaviorPolice Use of ForceRacial DisparitiesStun GunsTasersUse of Non-Lethal Force |
Author: Fisk, Catherine Title: Police Unions Summary: Perhaps no issue has been more controversial in the discussion of police union responses to allegations of excessive force than statutory and contractual protections for officers accused of misconduct, as critics have assailed such protections and police unions defend them. For all the public controversy over police unions, there is has been relatively little legal scholarship on them. Neither the legal nor the social science literature on policing and police reform has explored the opportunities and constraints that labor law offers in thinking about organizational change. The scholarly deficit has substantial public policy consequences, as groups ranging from Black Lives Matter to the U.S. Department of Justice are proposing legal changes that will require the cooperation of police labor organizations to implement. This article fills that gap. Part I explores the structure and functioning of police departments and the evolution of police unions as a response to a hierarchical and autocratic command structure. Part II examines the ways in which and the reasons why police unions have been obstacles to reform, focusing particularly on union defense of protections for officers accused of misconduct. Part III describes and analyzes 50 years’ worth of instances in which cities have implemented reforms to reduce police violence and improve police-community relations. All of them involved the cooperation of the rank and file, and many involved active cooperation with the union. Part IV proposes mild changes in the law governing police labor relations to facilitate rank and file support of the kinds of transparency, accountability, and constitutional policing practices that police reformers have been advocating for at least a generation. We propose a limited form of minority union bargaining – a reform that has been advocated in other contexts by both the political left and the political right at various points in recent history – to create an institutional structure enabling diverse representatives of police rank and file to meet and confer with police management over policing practices. Details: Irvine: School of Law, University of California, Irvine, 2016. 75p. Source: Internet Resource: University of California, Irvine School of Law Research Paper No. 2016-47 : Accessed October 6, 2016 at: http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2841837 Year: 2016 Country: United States URL: http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2841837 Shelf Number: 147821 Keywords: Police AccountabilityPolice BehaviorPolice MisconductPolice Unions |
Author: Australian Federal Police Title: Review of Police Pursuits Conducted by ACT Policing in the Australian Capital Territory Summary: Background 1. On 17 April 2014 the Chief Police Officer for the ACT (CPOACT) established a Working Group and endorsed the Terms of Reference for a review of police pursuits conducted in the ACT by ACT Policing. 2. The Working Group was directed to provide advice and recommendations on the AFP's police pursuit governance, procedures and framework. In particular, an emphasis was to be placed on analysing recent pursuits in the ACT to fully explore whether AFP procedures provided appropriate protection to the community and police. 3. The Working Group was directed to provide an analysis of the adequacy of legislation surrounding pursuits, and if deemed deficient, to provide recommendation for legislative reform. Review Objective and Scope 4. The objective of the review was to evaluate the appropriateness of the governance, procedures and legislative framework of police pursuits. 5. In line with the Terms of Reference, the criteria established for review included: a. Current operational practices regarding police pursuits, with a focus on case studies b. Adequacy of current pursuit policy c. Compliance with workplace health and safety legislation, policy and practices d. Jurisdictional comparison to identify best practice e. Analysis of the sufficiency of legislation 6. The scope included an assessment of: a. Existing AFP governance framework b. State and Territory legislative framework, best practice and procedure c. Terms of Reference of the ACT Policing Police Pursuit Review Committee d. Coronial recommendations in recent pursuits 7. The scope included consultation with: a. Community groups or individuals affected by road trauma b. Key ACT Government stakeholders Key Findings 8. The current AFP governance framework surrounding pursuits provides the best protection for the community against the expectation that police will ensure the safety of all road users. The pursuit governance framework has withstood significant scrutiny, however should be continually reviewed to ensure compliance with best practice. 9. The ACT Government has demonstrated confidence in ACT Policing's pursuit governance, policy and procedures. 10. The existing pursuit reporting regime needs to be amended to capture additional data to support the work of the Police Pursuits Review Committee. 11. The Police Pursuit Review Committee is a key governance mechanism that must be retained and requires periodic review of its Terms of Reference. 12. Present legislation does not contain adequate penalties and deterrents for drivers who flee from police and does not sufficiently enable police to take strong action against drivers who engage in dangerous behaviour when fleeing from police. Overall Conclusion 13. ACT Policing has in place an adequate governance framework for conducting police pursuits within the ACT. 14. Notwithstanding this, this review should inform a continued best practice approach to police pursuit policy for ACT Policing. 15. The legislation in the ACT is deficient and does not deter individuals from initiating pursuits. Recommendations 16. The review has made 42 recommendations to the CPOACT which encompass amendments to AFP policy and procedure and reform to current ACT legislation. 17. Endorsement of all 42 recommendations will provide a contemporary evidence based legislation and governance framework which will achieve best practice and meet the needs of ACT Policing and the expectations of the ACT community. 18. The benefits to be realised from this review and subsequent endorsement of recommendations include: Risk: Reduce prevalence of fleeing drivers; Options: provide alternatives for police to not engage in pursuits; Legislation: adequate penalties and deterrence; Accountability: fleeing drivers will be identified; Deterrence: to deter drivers who may want to flee from police; Consequences: harsher penalties for the offence; Community safety: minimise risk to community; and Police officer safety: mitigate risks to officer safety. 19. The recommendations for legislative reform will impose significant penalties for drivers who flee from police, and have maximum impact to deter drivers fleeing from police. 20. The recommendations seek to implement strict and/or absolute liabilities for the identified vehicle, as is currently the case for traffic camera offences, by applying the same principles to the registered operator of a fleeing vehicle. 21. The recommendations seek to impose penalties on fleeing drivers similar in nature to the Road Transport (Alcohol and Drugs) Act 1977 offence for Level 4 Prescribed Concentration of Alcohol (PCA). The level of risk posed to the community for a driver fleeing from police is comparable to a high-range PCA offence. 22. This review strongly recommends the following penalties for a first offender be imposed on the driver of the fleeing vehicle, or the registered operator of the fleeing vehicle who has refused or failed to identify the driver: 15 penalty units equivalent to a $2100 fine; Immediate Suspension Notice of three months with a court imposed minimum disqualification of six months and a default disqualification of three years; Court imposed maximum nine months imprisonment; and Seizure, for a period of three months, of the vehicle that was engaged in the pursuit. 23. This review strongly recommends the following penalties be imposed for a repeat offender on the driver of the fleeing vehicle, or the registered operator of the fleeing vehicle who has refused or failed to identify the driver: 20 penalty units equivalent to a $2800 fine; Immediate Suspension Notice of six months with a court imposed minimum disqualification of 12 months and a default disqualification of five years; Court imposed maximum 12 months imprisonment; and Seizure and subsequent forfeiture of the vehicle that was engaged in the pursuit. 24. It is incumbent on ACT Policing to work in partnership with ACT Government and key stakeholders to progress the recommended legislative reforms as a complete package so as to provide alternative options to police pursuits. Details: Canberra: AFP, 2015. 148p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 8, 2016 at: https://www.police.act.gov.au/sites/default/files/PDF/Review%20of%20police%20pursuits%20conducted%20by%20ACT%20Policing%20in%20the%20Australian%20Capital%20Territory.pdf Year: 2015 Country: Australia URL: https://www.police.act.gov.au/sites/default/files/PDF/Review%20of%20police%20pursuits%20conducted%20by%20ACT%20Policing%20in%20the%20Australian%20Capital%20Territory.pdf Shelf Number: 145373 Keywords: Police BehaviorPolice EffectivenessPolice Policies and PracticesPolice Pursuits |
Author: New York (City). Department of Investigation Title: Using Data from Lawsuits and Legal Claims: Involving NYPD to Improve Policing Summary: Over the past decade, legal claims and civil lawsuits against the New York City Police Department (NYPD) have been increasing in number. According to NYPD, in the past five fiscal years alone, the City has seen more than 15,000 lawsuits filed against NYPD, a 44% increase in total number, that in sum have cost the City over $202 million. These cases result in a substantial financial burden on New York City taxpayers. The City's response has ranged from removing the most-sued officers from the streets to allocating new and greater resources to the attorneys who must defend these lawsuits. The Mayor recently announced that the New York City Law Department would receive an additional $4.5 million to hire 30 new attorneys and 10 new paralegals to defend the City against such lawsuits. While parties may differ on what has caused this high volume of lawsuits, the byproduct has been a large quantity of lawsuit and claims data which, if used correctly, can assist NYPD and the City with taking necessary corrective action. However, various agencies with responsibility for different aspects of this litigation are not tracking the data from these cases in the most effective way possible. This Report discusses the necessary steps needed for the efficient collection and use of this data. While the high number of legal claims and lawsuits being filed against NYPD is concerning, the careful collection and analysis of data regarding legal claims and civil lawsuits (hereinafter "litigation data") has the potential to reduce costs while improving both officer performance and police-community relations. Although litigation data is not a perfect indicator of police performance, when the correct litigation data is collected and used properly, it can help result in changes that benefit individual officers, the police department, community members, and the City at large. As outlined in this Report, NYPD can use litigation data in three ways: First, a quantitative and qualitative review of litigation data can be used to help law enforcement identify patterns and trends of police misconduct that warrant remediation. Second, by coupling litigation data with "Early Intervention Systems," law enforcement agencies can identify at-risk officers who may be in need of enhanced training or monitoring. Third, litigation data analysis can contribute to improvements and positive shifts in departmental culture. In this Report, OIG-NYPD looks at how law enforcement agencies in other jurisdictions have successfully used litigation data in these three ways to effect change and reduce costs, and how NYPD can do the same. While litigation data has the potential to bring improvements, the limitations of the information must also be taken into account. For example, the fact that a claim or lawsuit is settled is not necessarily proof of liability or improper conduct. Cases are not always resolved on the merits, and non-meritorious cases are sometimes settled for lower amounts to avoid the costs and uncertainties of litigation. Moreover, litigation data cannot, by itself, drive change in how plaintiffs and the City choose to litigate and resolve lawsuits. Separate strategies, independent of this Report, are required to address how claims and lawsuits are managed by agencies and counsel. But when the data is properly gathered and analyzed, litigation data can still be used for positive, proactive improvements in policing. While this Report lists several steps that should be taken, OIG-NYPD notes that NYPD is, in some ways, ahead of many other police departments with respect to tracking and analyzing litigation data. For example, NYPD has been improving its system for using data - including litigation data - to track and monitor the performance of individual officers. NYPD also recently revamped its internal team responsible for reviewing and identifying trends in legal claims and litigation. Finally, NYPD has been exchanging data more regularly with the two agencies that also track litigation data against NYPD and its officers: the Office of the Comptroller of the City of New York (Comptroller's Office) and the New York City Law Department (Law Department). Notwithstanding this progress, more should be done. OIG-NYPD sees several opportunities for enhancing how litigation data is collected and utilized in the long-term. OIGNYPD therefore makes the following three recommendations: 1) NYPD should perform a qualitative review of the most relevant data contained within legal claims and lawsuits against NYPD. A more thoughtful examination of certain litigation metrics generates the greatest benefit from a risk management perspective, police oversight perspective, and accountability perspective. Specifically, NYPD, the Comptroller's Office, and the Law Department need to start tracking more details about the nature of the claims and the core allegations, information about the subject police officer, the location of the alleged incident, and the address of the plaintiff. A more qualitative review of claims and final outcomes will also help to distinguish potentially meritless cases from more substantive claims and, therefore, will help to determine which cases can best help with an Early Intervention System or a trend analysis system. 2) NYPD should more closely coordinate the collection and exchange of litigation data through the creation of an interagency working group with the Comptroller's Office and the Law Department. Beyond the current bilateral discussions that NYPD has with both the Comptroller's Office and the Law Department, an interagency working group would allow all three agencies to better understand the optimal path forward in facilitating and exchanging the review of police-involved litigation data. This includes identifying what data exists and where, how data should be classified, what additional data should be collected, what resources are needed to capture data that is not readily available, and how to best balance the benefits of data review with the practical realities of data collection. 3) NYPD should be more transparent in its emerging work in litigation data analysis so that New York City residents can better understand how the officers serving their community are evaluated and how NYPD is using litigation data to identify trends in the Department as a whole. In addition to revealing details about both officer performance monitoring and litigation data analysis, NYPD should also solicit public comment regarding these systems. With increased transparency and openness to comment will come greater public confidence in NYPD's plan for analyzing litigation data. Reliable data on police activities is a foundation of oversight and review. This Office, as well as NYPD, must therefore take all practical steps to harness the most accurate data from all available sources and render it useful. If the recommendations in this Report are implemented, litigation data analysis may further this goal by helping to reduce the number of legal claims and lawsuits directed towards NYPD, while also reducing costs and improving policing and police-community relations in New York City as a whole. Details: New York: New York City Department of Investigation, Office of the Inspector General for the NYPD, 2015. 30p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 11, 2016 at: http://www1.nyc.gov/assets/oignypd/downloads/pdf/2015-04-20-litigation-data-report.pdf Year: 2015 Country: United States URL: http://www1.nyc.gov/assets/oignypd/downloads/pdf/2015-04-20-litigation-data-report.pdf Shelf Number: 145427 Keywords: Legal ClaimsPolice AccountabilityPolice BehaviorPolice-Community Relations |
Author: Shultz, Ashley Title: Early Warning Systems: What's New? What's Working? Summary: CNA-a not-for-profit organization that focuses on operations and applied research to solve tough issues facing communities and governments at all levels-has worked with more than 50 police agencies over the past 10 years on issues relating to use of force, deadly use of force, community policing, citizen complaints against police, ambushes of police officers, violence reduction, innovative policing practices, police-community engagement, and rigorous evaluation of police initiatives. For several years-predating the publicized police shootings of civilians (or deaths in custody) in 2014 in Ferguson, MO; New York, NY; and Cleveland, OH-CNA, through its work with the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) Smart Policing Initiative and the Violence Reduction Network, and with the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Collaborative Reform Initiative, heard from police officers at all ranks about their desire for better approaches to avoiding such catastrophic incidents. Many departments across the country utilize an early warning system (EWS)-a data-based police management tool that identifies "at risk officers" who are frequently the subject of complaints or demonstrate patterns of inappropriate behavior that could lead to more serious problems. The system is designed to alert police departments of such behavior and afford them the opportunity to provide some form of intervention, such as counseling or training, before an officer is in a situation that warrants formal disciplinary action, or worse. Early warning systems capture factors such as how often officers are involved in shootings, get complaints, use sick days, or get into car accidents, and then notify departmental supervisors once a specific threshold is reached. According to the 1999 National Survey of Early Warning Systems, the most recent survey on early warning systems to date, 39 percent of all municipal and county law enforcement agencies that serve populations greater than 50,000 either had an early warning system in place or were planning to implement one. Currently, there is concern about the effectiveness of early warning systems-whether these systems are capturing the right data and alerting supervisors to potential problematic behavior. For example, some officers are concerned they could be flagged down merely because they work in a high-crime area, where they are more likely to use their weapon or physical force.4 While the EWS forewarns, it is up to the departmental supervisors as to how they act on the information received. This apparent dilemma-whether these systems work, and whether they serve their intended purpose-prompted CNA to convene an Executive Session on September 24, 2015 in Arlington, VA: "Early Warning Systems: What's New? What's Working?" The Executive Session included panels of speakers representing different perspectives on these pertinent questions. CNA asked a diverse group of practitioners, researchers, and analysts to step forward and discuss these important questions. They responded, and they did so with heartfelt sincerity- in many cases, reaching back to their own experiences with law enforcement, and conveying the lessons learned to the Executive Session's audience with emotion and insight. We hope you read this report with interest, curiosity, and an open mind. In this manner, we also hope that you respect the forthrightness of our presenters and audience participants. Lamentably, rare are the sincere, civil, data-informed, and productive discussions on matters such as these facing our nation, though such conversations are happening with increasing frequency, as our federal partners who participated in this Executive Session explain below. Please also note that this CNA Executive Session was the third in a series that we will continue to convene, so long as the nation has diverse and informed practitioners, community members, and decision makers willing to engage in these important dialogues. The participants in this Executive Session offered numerous suggestions for future session topics, which we will consider Details: Arlington, VA: CNA, 2015. 22p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 11, 2016 at: https://www.cna.org/cna_files/pdf/CRM-2015-U-012182.pdf Year: 2015 Country: United States URL: https://www.cna.org/cna_files/pdf/CRM-2015-U-012182.pdf Shelf Number: 140658 Keywords: Early Warning SystemsPolice AccountabilityPolice BehaviorPolice MisconductPolice Use of Force |
Author: Goff, Phillip Atiba Title: The Science of Policing Equity: Measuring Fairness in the Austin Police Department Summary: This report represents a partnership between Urban and the Center for Policing Equity's National Justice Database, in collaboration with the White House's Police Data Initiative. The report analyzes publicly available data in 2015 vehicle stops and 2014 use of force incidents on the part of the Austin Police Department. Findings indicate that even when controlling for neighborhood levels of crime, education, home-ownership, income, youth, and unemployment, racial disparities still exist in both use and severity of force. We also document that APD has a high level of transparency, and the analysis demonstrates the value of that democratization of police department data in examining whether community-level explanations are sufficient to explain observed racial disparities. Details: Washington, DC: Urban Institute, 2016. 18p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 8, 2016 at: http://www.urban.org/sites/default/files/publication/85096/the-science-of-policing-equity_2.pdf Year: 2016 Country: United States URL: http://www.urban.org/sites/default/files/publication/85096/the-science-of-policing-equity_2.pdf Shelf Number: 141035 Keywords: Police BehaviorPolice EffectivenessPolice IntegrityPolice LegitimacyRacial DisparitiesRacial Profiling in Law EnforcementStop and Search |
Author: Quintanar, Sarah Marx Title: Man vs. Machine: An Investigation of Speeding Ticket Disparities Based on Gender and Race Summary: This paper analyzes the extent to which police behavior in giving speeding tickets differs from the ticketing pattern of automated cameras. The automated tickets provide an estimate of the population of speeders at a given location, time, and even severity of the violation. The data, obtained from Lafayette, Louisiana, provides a wide range of details concerning characteristics of the violation such as location, date, time of day, legal speed, speed over the limit, day of the week, and also specific details about the ticketed driver. The probability of a ticketed driver being African-American or female is significantly higher when the ticket was given by a police officer in contrast to an automated source, implying that police use gender and race as a determining factor in issuing a speeding ticket. Potential behavioral reasons of this outcome have been discussed. Details: Baton Rouge: Department of Economics Louisiana State University, 2011. 44p. Source: Internet Resource: Working Paper 2009-16: Accessed November 10, 2016 at: http://bus.lsu.edu/McMillin/Working_Papers/pap09_16.pdf Year: 2011 Country: United States URL: http://bus.lsu.edu/McMillin/Working_Papers/pap09_16.pdf Shelf Number: 145089 Keywords: Police BehaviorPolice DiscretionRacial DiscriminationRacial Profiling in Law EnforcementTraffic Enforcement |
Author: District of Columbia. Police Complaints Board Title: Enhancing Police Accountability through an Effective On-Body Camera Program for MPD Officers Summary: Over the past few years, police departments across the country have begun equipping their officers with body-worn cameras. The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) has recently announced its plans to implement a body-worn camera program, citing it as one of the Department's "top five priorities." The footage that these cameras capture can be used to resolve citizen complaints and train officers on proper procedures, and even as evidence in criminal and civil litigation. In addition to these benefits, a recent study shows that the mere presence of body-worn cameras may even serve to prevent negative interactions by changing officer and citizen behavior. As a result, the use of these devices can lead to enhanced police accountability as well as improved police-community relations. While body-worn cameras have many possible benefits, their use also implicates some concerns for members of the public, government agencies, civil liberties advocates, and even the officers who wear the devices. In order to maximize the many advantages that the cameras can provide, it will be crucial for MPD to develop and implement clear policies governing video creation, access, usage, and retention. Police union representatives, policy experts, and civil liberties experts nationwide have expressed concern that deploying body-worn cameras with no official policy in place could undermine public confidence in the program, as well as jeopardize the privacy of officers and the public. Having a suitable policy in place is so critical to the deployment of a body-worn camera program that the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF), with support from the Justice Department's Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS), is currently working on guidelines to help formulate model policies. At a recent PERF Town Hall Meeting in Philadelphia, law enforcement executives from across the nation agreed that policies and procedures involve multi-faceted and complex issues. According to PERF President Charles Ramsey, who also serves as the commissioner of Philadelphia's Police Department and was previously MPD’s chief of police, "If you don't have a policy in place, eventually you're going to have a problem," noting that such policies should also exist to cover officers who might use their own cameras. To ensure the most effective policy, the needs and concerns of the many stakeholders throughout the District should be assessed and incorporated to the maximum extent possible. This kind of participation will also build public support and buy-in for the camera program, which should help ensure successful implementation. Therefore, the Police Complaints Board (PCB) recommends that MPD establish an advisory panel of District of Columbia stakeholders to assist in the development of a policy to govern a body-worn camera pilot program in the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). This panel should, at a minimum, include representatives from: MPD; the Office of Police Complaints (OPC); the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP); the Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Columbia (USAO); the District's Office of the Attorney General (OAG); the criminal defense bar; the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU); and the Fair and Inclusive Policing Task Force. The panel should also include members of MPD's Citizen Advisory Councils as well as representatives of groups from around the District who could provide insight into how a camera program would affect various segments of the public, including, among others, immigrants, non-English speakers, crime victims, and the LGBTQ population. PCB further recommends that the District provide MPD with the necessary funding to conduct a pilot program. Once a pilot program has been conducted, the advisory panel should review the program's efficacy, identify any concerns about processes or policies, and suggest changes and improvements. If the program is determined to be beneficial, the District government should then provide funding for wider implementation across MPD. In the event that MPD decides to launch a pilot program prior to convening the recommended panel, it should be allowed to do so, but should permit OPC to provide real-time input and feedback to MPD as the expedited pilot program takes shape and is implemented. Adopting this approach would allow MPD to avail itself of OPC's ties with community groups and District stakeholders, thereby incorporating useful external feedback until the panel could be established. As for the proposed panel, it should be convened as soon as practicable to help develop a final policy based on an assessment of the ongoing pilot program. Details: Washington, DC: Police Complaints Board, 2014. 14p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 17, 2016 at: http://policecomplaints.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/office%20of%20police%20complaints/publication/attachments/Final%20policy%20rec%20body%20camera.pdf Year: 2014 Country: United States URL: http://policecomplaints.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/office%20of%20police%20complaints/publication/attachments/Final%20policy%20rec%20body%20camera.pdf Shelf Number: 145083 Keywords: Body-Worn CamerasCamera SurveillanceCitizen ComplaintsPolice AccountabilityPolice BehaviorPolice Misconduct |
Author: Bruce, David Title: Commissioners and commanders: Police leadership and the Marikana massacre Summary: This monograph examines the functioning of the police system, with a focus on the leadership and command levels, in the build-up to the Marikana massacre on 16 August 2012, when police killed 34 miners who were striking at the Lonmin platinum mine at Marikana. It considers events up to about 15:30 on Thursday, 16 August, which is when police launched their tactical intervention during which the massacre took place. The monograph examines decision making and the exercise of authority and influence by senior leadership of the South African Police Service (the SAPS), particularly the senior national and provincial leaders (National Commissioner Phiyega and North West Provincial Commissioner Zukiswa Mbombo), and senior SAPS commanders (Major Generals Mpembe and Annandale). The key findings of the Marikana Commission are summarised, followed by an overview of the conflict at the mine in August 2012. This conflict involved the strikers, mine management and two unions, the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) and the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU). The monograph outlines some of the aspects of this conflict, including questions about the political alignment of the parties involved and how the strike, launched on Thursday 9 August, rapidly escalated into violence. The monograph then focuses on two critical shifts in the SAPS approach to the Marikana situation. Both these shifts were linked to the involvement of SAPS senior leaders, Phiyega and Mbombo, and are likely to have been influenced by their interactions with Minister of Police Nathi Mthethwa. The first shift was on Monday, 13 August, after two SAPS members were killed by strikers. The strike then became the focus of intense national political and media attention; national police commanders, planners and units were brought in and Public Order Police (POP) commanders were marginalised from the command system. The second shift was a decision made on Wednesday, 15 August, that police would take action against the strikers on the following day if the strikers refused to disarm. The section on operational matters focuses on some of the nuts and bolts of the operation. A discussion of the planning of the intervention is relevant to examining how the police understood the situation they were confronting. This is followed by an analysis of the negotiation process that focused on persuading the strikers to disarm. It examines the fact that the strikers refused to disarm unless Lonmin negotiated with them. The SAPS conveyed the strikers’ message to Lonmin but refrained from exerting any pressure on Lonmin to comply with the strikers' request. This section of the monograph examines how the decision taken by SAPS senior leadership on Wednesday, 15 August affected both the planning and negotiations processes. It also informs the analysis of the actions of the SAPS commanders that follows. The penultimate section of the monograph focuses on the role the two senior commanders, Mpembe and Annandale, played in the operation before the tactical intervention. It explores the role they played in implementing the decision that had been made by the SAPS senior leadership that Wednesday, and whether they exercised their authority appropriately in this respect. The conclusion draws together this discussion with a focus on questions raised in the monograph about the SAPS commanders at Marikana. It recognises that their actions were affected not only by the senior leadership decision made on Wednesday but also by shifts in the nature of the operation that took place on the Monday prior to this. These not only created ambiguity about what type of operation was being conducted but also resulted in a blurring of lines of authority. The monograph ends by highlighting key issues raised, including: • Police positioning in relation to social conflict and the potential impact of political pressure. • Ensuring that senior leaders of the SAPS, as well as other people in leadership roles, are appropriately qualified. • The nature of decision making in the SAPS. • How leadership and command are exercised in large-scale public order and crowd management operations as well as minimum standards for ensuring that such operations are carried out professionally and conform with crowd management principles. • The need for the SAPS to recognise the principle that, in actions by the police where the use of lethal force is anticipated police should seek to resolve situations effectively while minimising the potential for having to use lethal force. The principle applies to all police actions of this kind and not only to crowd management. Details: Pretoria: Institute for Security Studies, 2017. 66p. Source: Internet Resource: ISS Monograph No. 194: Accessed February 13, 2017 at: https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/mono194-2.pdf Year: 2017 Country: South Africa URL: https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/mono194-2.pdf Shelf Number: 140903 Keywords: Crowd ControlPolice AdministrationPolice BehaviorPolice Decision-MakingPolice PerformancePolice Use of ForcePublic Disorder |
Author: Zimmerman, Benjamin L. Title: Educational Level of Law Enforcement Officers and Frequency of Citizen Complaints: A Systematic Review Summary: The belief that a law enforcement officer who holds a college degree will be a better officer has been the foundation for many policies in support of higher education for officers. However, there is a lack of overwhelming empirical evidence to support such a claim. Past literature has examined police performance in general as it relates to a number of different background characteristics, which include educational level. Citizen complaints are one type of measurement tool that arguably addresses the sensitive relationship between a law enforcement organisation and the community it serves. This systematic review identified 14 studies meeting inclusion and exclusion criteria, resulting in a total of 5359 subjects. By using meta-analytic procedures, this review attempted to identify and quantify the relationship between higher education and citizen complaints. The results provided a comprehensive picture of the overall relationship between education and citizen complaints, which produced a small statistically significant effect size. The effect was negative, indicating that education was predictive of fewer citizen complaints. Additional analyses were conducted to examine differences between large organisations and small to medium organisations as well as published studies compared to unpublished studies. Meta-analysis of the studies using large organisations and published studies revealed even greater effect sizes than the overall results while meta-analysis of small to medium sized organisations and unpublished works resulted in statistically insignificant smaller effect sizes. Police implications and suggestions for future research are discussed. Details: Cambridge, UK: Wolfson College , 2011. 84p. Source: Internet Resource: Thesis: Accessed April 10, 2017 at: http://www.crim.cam.ac.uk/alumni/theses/Zimmerman,%20B.pdf Year: 2011 Country: United States URL: http://www.crim.cam.ac.uk/alumni/theses/Zimmerman,%20B.pdf Shelf Number: 144770 Keywords: Citizen ComplaintsPolice BehaviorPolice Education and TrainingPolice LegitimacyPolice-Citizen Interactions |
Author: Council of Europe Title: Report to the Government of the United Kingdom on the visit to the United Kingdom carried out by the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) Summary: The CPT's 2016 periodic visit to the United Kingdom provided an opportunity to review the treatment of persons held in adult and juvenile prisons and police custody in England for the first time since 2008. It also looked at immigration detention. Further, the visit had a specific focus on in-patient adult psychiatry and medium and high secure forensic psychiatry establishments in England. A good level of co-operation was received from both the national authorities and the staff at the establishments visited. However, on a few occasions, access to places of detention was delayed, and the CPT underlines that better coordination is needed to ensure that access to all establishments is rapid and information about the Committee's mandate is disseminated more widely. More generally, in light of the principle of co-operation, the CPT trusts that prompt and effective action is now taken to address long-standing recommendations such as prison overcrowding. Law enforcement agencies The CPT's delegation found that most people deprived of their liberty by the police were treated in a correct manner. It did, however, receive some allegations of verbal abuse from officers towards detained persons at the moment of apprehension and during transport to custody suites and of handcuffs being applied excessively tightly at the time of arrest. The CPT recommends that the United Kingdom authorities make it clear that verbal abuse towards detained persons is unacceptable and that handcuffs should never be applied excessively tightly. The CPT notes that there appeared to be no uniform approach to the use of means of restraint across the 43 police forces in England and Wales and it recommends that the safety of the use of 'spit helmets', velcro fixation straps and Emergency Response Belts in police custody suites be reviewed. Moreover, the CPT recommends that 'Pava' spray should not form part of the standard equipment of custodial staff and should not be used in confined spaces. In general, persons deprived of their liberty by the police were afforded the safeguards laid down in PACE Code C. However, several deficiencies were observed such as a protection vacuum when arrested persons had to wait for up to two hours in holding rooms before their detention was formally authorised and before they were informed of their rights by custody sergeants. The CPT recommends that all detained persons should be fully informed of their rights as from the very outset of their deprivation of liberty (and thereafter of any authorised delay) and current deficiencies impeding the complete recording of the fact of a person's detention should be rectified. Access to a lawyer and a doctor or nurse was generally being facilitated promptly in all police establishments visited. However, there was a lack of respect for lawyer-client confidentiality during consultation by telephone at Southwark and Doncaster Police Stations. As regards custody records, the CPT recommends that whenever a person is deprived of their liberty this fact is formally and accurately recorded without delay and without misrepresentation as to the location of custody, which was not the case at the TACT suite at Paddington Green Police Station. The material conditions of the custody cells in the police establishments visited were generally of a good standard. There was, however, a lack of access to natural light in many cells and most establishments visited were not equipped with proper exercise yards. The conditions at Paddington Green 'TACT' Suite, in particular, were inadequate and needed upgrading. Adult and juvenile prisons The CPT welcomes the recent recognition of the need for profound reform of the prison system at the highest political level. The CPT's delegation discussed the nature and scope of the prison reform agenda with the authorities, where it stressed the problem of violence in prisons. In the view of the CPT, taking resolute action to tackle the problem of violence in prisons in England and Wales is a prerequisite for the successful implementation of other elements of the authorities' reform agenda. The CPT recalls that the adverse effects of overcrowding and lack of purposeful regime have been repeatedly highlighted by the Committee since 1990. Over the last 25 years, the prison population has nearly doubled, and almost all adult prisons now operate at or near full operational capacity and well above their certified normal capacity. The CPT emphasises that unless determined action is taken to significantly reduce the current prison population, the regime improvements envisaged by the authorities' reform agenda will remain unattainable. The CPT's delegation received almost no complaints about physical ill-treatment of inmates by staff in the prisons visited. Nevertheless, it did receive a few complaints about verbal abuse and observed tense relations between staff and inmates. It was, however, deeply concerned by the amount of severe generalised violence evident in each of the prisons visited, notably inter-prisoner violence and attacks by prisoners on staff. Injuries to both prisoners and staff, documented over the previous three months, included inter alia cases of scalding water being thrown over victims and 'shank' (make-shift knife) wounds, and frequently required hospitalisation and in one case resulted in the death of an inmate. The CPT examined the violence through the prism of three criteria: recording incidents of violence, responding to such incidents and specific measures taken to reduce violence. Despite the considerable number of instruments established to capture data regarding violent incidents, there were systemic and structural weaknesses in the documentation process. At both Doncaster and Pentonville Prisons, the delegation gained the impression that the actual number of violent incidents appreciably exceeded the number recorded. This issue appeared to be particularly acute at Doncaster Prison, where the delegation established that some violent incidents had either not been recorded or recorded as being less serious than they were in practice. Moreover, the delegation observed first-hand that violent incidents were not always reported by staff. While the number of recorded violent incidents at all prisons visited was alarmingly high, the CPT believes that these figures under-record the actual number of incidents and consequently fail to afford a true picture of the severity of the situation. Further, inmates at both Doncaster and Pentonville Prisons complained that staff responded slowly to violent incidents. This fuelled a feeling of fear and a perception of a lack of safety among inmates. The consequence was a lack of trust in the staff's ability to maintain prisoner safety. As a start, the CPT recommends that the time taken to respond to inmates' call bells be improved. The CPT is also not convinced of the effectiveness of the specific ongoing measures initiated to reduce and prevent violence and recommends that a far greater investment in preventing violence be undertaken. The CPT's findings in the establishments visited indicate that the duty of care to protect prisoners was not always being discharged given the apparent lack of effective action to reduce the high levels of violence. The cumulative effect of certain systemic failings was that none of the establishments visited could be considered safe for prisoners or staff. The CPT recommends that concrete measures be taken to bring prisons back under the effective control of staff, reversing the recent trends of escalating violence. At Cookham Wood YOI, the high levels of violence were managed primarily through locking juveniles up for long periods of time, on occasion for up to 23.5 hours per day; greater investment in establishing more small specialised units to manage juveniles with complex needs should be made. The CPT underlines that many aspects of prison life are negatively affected by the state of overcrowding in the prison system. For example, living conditions in the prisons visited, in particular Pentonville Prison, were adversely affected by the chronic overcrowding: cells originally designed for one prisoner now hold two. Equally, overcrowding also significantly affects the regime. The delegation found that the regimes in all prison establishments visited were inadequate, with a considerable number of prisoners spending up to 22 hours per day locked up in their cells. Many inmates stated that the long lock-up times contributed to a sense of frustration. The CPT recommends that steps be taken to ensure that inmates attend education and purposeful activities on a daily basis, with the aim that all inmates on a normal regime spend at least eight hours out-of-cell. At Cookham Wood YOI, juveniles on a normal regime spent on average only five hours out of their cells each day. The situation was particularly austere for those juveniles who were placed on 'separation' lists (denoted by vivid pink stickers of 'do not unlock' on their cell doors), who could spend up to 23.5 hours a day locked up alone in their cells. In the CPT's view, holding juveniles in such conditions amounts to inhuman and degrading treatment and all juveniles should be provided with a purposeful regime and considerably more time of cell than is currently the case. As regards the provision of health-care in the prisons visited, the delegation noted that health-care staffing levels were, with a few exceptions, adequate and there was generally good medical documentation of injuries. Medical screening of prisoners upon arrival was of a good quality and carried out promptly. That said, medical confidentiality was not always respected. For example, medication was given to prisoners in corridors or dispensed through a hatch in view of other prisoners. Also prisoners continued to be systematically handcuffed during hospital transfers; the CPT reiterates that handcuffs should only be applied after an individualised risk assessment. Delays in prisoners with mental-health problems being transferred to psychiatric hospitals, in some cases for several months, remain a problem. Further, the placement of prisoners with acute mental health conditions in segregation units is inappropriate. The CPT recommends that prisoners suffering from severe mental illnesses are transferred immediately to an appropriate mental health facility. In this connection, high priority should be given to increasing the number of beds in psychiatric hospitals to ensure that in-patient health-care units, such as the one at Pentonville Prison, do not become a substitute for the transfer of a patient to a dedicated facility. Further, all prison staff should be trained to recognise the major symptoms of mental ill-health and understand referral procedures. Details: Strasbourg: Council of Europe, 2017. 102p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 22, 2017 at: https://rm.coe.int/CoERMPublicCommonSearchServices/DisplayDCTMContent?documentId=090000168070a773 Year: 2017 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://rm.coe.int/CoERMPublicCommonSearchServices/DisplayDCTMContent?documentId=090000168070a773 Shelf Number: 145160 Keywords: Correctional HealthHuman RightsJuvenile Detention CentersMental Health ServicesPolice BehaviorPolicingPrison ConditionsPrison Violence |
Author: Durose, Matthew R. Title: Requests for Police Assistance, 2011 Summary: Examines the characteristics and experiences of persons age 16 or older who contacted police to request assistance in 2011. The report describes the perceptions of residents about police behavior and response during these encounters. It details requests for police assistance to (1) report a crime, suspicious activity, or neighborhood disturbance; (2) report a noncrime emergency, such as a medical issue or traffic accident; and (3) seek help for a nonemergency or other reason, such as asking for directions or help with an animal problem. Data are from the 2011 Police-Public Contact Survey (PPCS), a supplement to the National Crime Victimization Survey, which collects information from a nationally representative sample of persons in U.S. households on contact with police during a 12-month period. This is a companion report to Police Behavior during Traffic and Street Stops, 2011. Highlights: An estimated 1 in 8 U.S. residents age 16 or older, or 31.4 million persons, requested assistance from police at least once, most commonly to report a crime, suspicious activity, or neighborhood disturbance. About 85% of persons who requested police assistance were satisfied with the police response. No statistical differences were found between the percentage of Hispanics (86%), blacks (85%), and whites (83%) who reported a crime or neighborhood disturbance and felt the police were helpful. About 9 in 10 persons who requested police assistance reported that they were just as likely or more likely to contact the police again for a similar problem. Details: Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2013. 12p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 10, 2017 at: https://www.bjs.gov/content/pub/pdf/rpa11.pdf Year: 2013 Country: United States URL: https://www.bjs.gov/content/pub/pdf/rpa11.pdf Shelf Number: 131180 Keywords: Calls for Service Crime Statistics Police BehaviorPolice Response Police-Citizen Interactions Police-Community Relations Victims of Crime |
Author: Ibanez, Ana Maria Title: Impact of a Judicial System Reform on Police Behavior: Evidence on Juvenile Crime in Colombia Summary: This paper uses a natural experiment to identify the impact of a judicial system reform on police behavior. The study finds that, after a decrease in the severity of judicial punishment imposed on Colombian adolescents, arrest rates for adolescents in most misdemeanor crimes decreased due to a change in police behavior. The magnitude of this effect ranged between 0.08 to 0.321 standard deviations. The uncertainty on how to operate the new system, the lack of training, and the potential disciplinary sanctions led police officials to reduce arrest rates. Nonetheless, police forces learned gradually how to operate within the new system and adjusted their operations, countervailing the initial negative impact on arrest rates. We present suggestive evidence that the reduction in arrest rates and the lower sanctions increased crime incidents in cities with a large proportion of adolescents in their population. Qualitative evidence collected in focus groups with police officials supports the principal quantitative findings and contextualize the obstacles that led to the decrease in arrest rates and the perceived increase of juvenile crime based on the officials' experiences in the streets. Details: Bogota: Universidad de los Andes, Colombia - Department of Economics, 2017. 36p. Source: Internet Resource: Documento CEDE No. 2017-17: Accessed May 12, 2017 at: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2931146 Year: 2017 Country: Colombia URL: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2931146 Shelf Number: 145457 Keywords: Juvenile CrimeJuvenile OffendersPolice BehaviorPolice ReformPolice-Citizen InteractionsPolice-Community Relations |
Author: Miller, Joel Title: College of Policing stop and search training experiment: Impact evaluation. Final report Summary: This report presents results from a randomised controlled trial of a pilot stop and search training programme. The training was designed to promote the non-discriminatory use of police stop and search powers, strengthen officers' knowledge and skills in applying reasonable suspicion, improve the treatment of members of the public and improve outcomes from encounters. It was led by the College of Policing (the College) in collaboration with the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC). The pilot was carried out in six police forces within England and Wales. A total of 1,323 uniformed officers were included in the study. They were selected because they were regular users of stop and search powers. They were then randomly assigned to a treatment group that was targeted for the pilot training (87 per cent ultimately received training) or a control group that was not intended to receive the training (0.8 per cent received training). Here, we present the findings from an impact evaluation of the pilot based on three sources of data. These are: - Wave 1 survey, carried out a few days or weeks from the end of officers' pilot training - Wave 2 survey, initiated between about three and five months following the end of officers' training - data generated from police search records, drawing from the three calendar months prior to the beginning of training and the three calendar months following the completion of the bulk of training in each force. Analysis of the survey results tested hypotheses concerning the training's effects on officers' knowledge, attitudes and anticipated behaviours, while actual behaviours were measured through police stop and search records. Key findings, focused primarily on programme-level effects across the six forces, are presented below - Impacts on officers' preparation and knowledge - Compared to the control group, officers in the treatment group were a little less likely to report that prior stop and search training (including both pilot and other past training) had prepared them with relevant knowledge and skills, based on the Wave 1 survey. This suggests the pilot training compared unfavourably with officers' recollections of training earlier in their careers. - Officers' knowledge of stop and search regulations and policy was generally high and was a little higher in the treatment than control groups, as measured in both Wave 1 and Wave 2 surveys. This suggests that the pilot training improved officers' already strong stop and search knowledge and that this improvement was sustained over time. - In the Wave 2 survey, officers in the treatment group reported less confidence in the adequacy of grounds in written search records than the control group officers did. This suggests that they had become more stringent in their evaluation of grounds for searches. This effect was found for stronger and weaker grounds although there was some evidence that the effect was greater for weaker grounds. Impacts on officers' attitudes - In the Wave 1 survey, treatment group officers averaged slightly less support for police ethnic/racial stereotyping than control group officers, suggesting a small impact of pilot training, although support for ethnic/racial stereotyping was already low among officers. This variable was not measured in the Wave 2 survey. - In the Wave 1 survey, officers in the treatment group were a little less cynical about the prospect of policies regulating officer stop and search practices, suggesting a modest pilot training impact. This effect did not, however, endure to the Wave 2 survey. - In both Wave 1 and Wave 2 surveys, there was a somewhat lower level of support for high volume stop and search strategies in the treatment group compared to the control group. This suggests the pilot training prompted officers to favour a more selective use of stop and search in crime control. This effect was sustained to Wave 2 - In the Wave 1 survey, there were no differences between treatment and control groups in their support for procedural justice (ie, being respectful and fair) during stop and search. Consistent with this finding, the process evaluation showed that procedural justice was not a central feature of the training that was delivered (see Giacomantonio et al, 2016). Support for procedural justice was not measured in Wave 2. Impacts on officers' anticipated behaviours - When presented with a scenario involving the searching of a confrontational suspect in the Wave 1 survey, there were no clear differences between treatment and control group officers in how they said they would treat the suspect. This applied in relation to both procedural justice principles and the legal procedures used in encounters. - As expected, when asked the likelihood of them questioning potentially suspicious people in a range of different scenarios, there was little difference in response between treatment and control group officers. This was true for examples in both Wave 1 and Wave 2 surveys. This suggests the training did not adversely affect officers' anticipated willingness to intervene in situations. - When they were asked how likely they were to search suspicious people in the same scenarios, however, officers in the treatment group reported notably lower probabilities of doing so, in both Wave 1 and 2 surveys. This was true for scenarios involving suspected robbery or drugs offences as well as for both weaker grounds (as initially hypothesised) and stronger grounds. The effect was strongest for searching when the scenario involved the smell of cannabis as a key basis for suspicion, considered to represent weaker grounds. This may, in part, be due to the emphasis placed in the training on the smell of cannabis, in isolation, as constituting inadequate grounds for a search (see Giacomantonio et al, 2016). - Perhaps explaining the pilot training's effects on officers' anticipated search decisions, the Wave 2 survey showed that officers in the treatment group were less likely than those in the control group to evaluate grounds in the scenarios as adequate to justify a search. The survey, however, showed no differences between the groups in officers' declared willingness to conduct searches, provided grounds were present. - The Wave 1 survey randomly varied the scenario suspects - descriptions between 'black' and 'white' when asking officers about their stop and search decision-making. Officers were generally more likely to say they would question or search white suspects than black suspects. - There was, however, no statistically significant effect of training on ethnic/racial disparities in officers' anticipated stop and search decision-making. Impacts on recorded behaviours - Police data provided no strong evidence of a reduction in officers' search rates directly attributable to the training. There was, however, a small effect that was close to statistical significance, meaning it is possible the training had a marginal effect, in line with officers' responses to survey questions. - An analysis of officers' written grounds indicated no differences in their quality between treatment and control groups. This suggests the training had no impact on the types of searches being conducted or the detail provided by officers when recording their grounds. - Police data showed no effects of training on the proportion of searches resulting in arrests, suggesting that the training has produced no improvements in officer effectiveness. - Police data showed no effects of training on the ethnic/racial distribution of people searched. This was consistent with survey findings showing that the training had no effects on the use of ethnic/racial appearance in officers' decision-making when responding to written scenarios. Force-specific effects - Training was associated with more pronounced effects in some forces than others, although variations were not consistent across types of outcome. Key findings include: - Force E registered almost no statistically significant effects on the range of outcome variables. - Force D experienced the largest number of significant effects of treatment on knowledge and attitudes. - Statistically significant effects were found on at least some anticipated search behaviours for all forces, as measured by the surveys, except Force E. - There was, however, a lack of clear and consistent effects of training on actual officer behaviours, as recorded in police data, for any of the forces (apart from two isolated statistically significant effects). - Force-level differences may reflect variations in the implementation of training between sites. Forces, however, also varied in their geography and organisation which may have influenced how the training was received. Some differences may also be the product of chance variations between forces. Conclusions - While the training had some intended effects, these effects were not found for all objectives, were often modest when they were found, and were often inconsistent across forces. Moreover, there were few concrete effects of training found in measured street-level practice. This raises some questions about the utility of the training as it was formulated for the pilot. - Future stop and search training might usefully give greater emphasis to modelling behaviours in stop and search encounters, alongside abstract teaching about the use and regulation of stop and search powers. This could involve the use of role-plays, for example. - Future stop and search training should probably place greater emphasis on improving how officers interact with suspects, paying particular attention to procedural justice principles, given that the pilot training had no effects related to procedural justice. - A training package that also targeted force supervisors and managers might be more effective. Such an approach could involve education in auditing and supervising officers' use of stop and search, and developing supervisors' and managers' skills in encouraging and directing officers to adopt more effective and fairer stop and search practices. Details: London: Research Advisory Services, 2016. 61p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 29, 2017 at: http://whatworks.college.police.uk/Research/Documents/SS_training_IMPACT_EVALUATION_Final_report.pdf Year: 2016 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://whatworks.college.police.uk/Research/Documents/SS_training_IMPACT_EVALUATION_Final_report.pdf Shelf Number: 146456 Keywords: Police BehaviorPolice Decision-MakingPolice Policies and PracticesPolice TrainingRacial Profiling in Law EnforcementStop and Search |
Author: Patrick, Rodger Title: A Tangled Web: Why you can't believe crime statistics Summary: Crime is going down - officially. The trouble is that most people don't believe it: they feel that society is becoming more crime-ridden. So what could explain the discrepancy between the claims made by politicians and the everyday experience of citizens? In this hard-hitting expose, Rodger Patrick, former Chief Inspector of West Midlands Police, shows how this has come about. He unpacks the gaming behaviours of police forces under pressure from central government to reduce crime rates and increase detection rates by any means - including some that are unethical and even criminal. A Tangled Web takes the reader into the arcane world of 'cuffing' - making crimes disappear by refusing to believe the victims; 'nodding' - inducing suspects to 'nod' at locations where they can claim to have committed crimes that will be 'taken into consideration', sometimes in return for sex, drugs and alcohol; 'stitching', or fabricating evidence, which allows police forces to obtain convictions without ever going to court; and 'skewing', or concentrating resources on offences that are used as performance indicators, at the expense of time-consuming investigations into more serious crime. Rodger Patrick cites the now considerable number of official inquiries into police forces that have uncovered evidence of these practices on such a scale, and over such a wide area, that they cannot be put down to a few 'rotten apples'. He argues that the problems are organisational, and result from making the career prospects of police officers dependent on performance management techniques originally devised for the commercial sector. Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary has long taken a relaxed view of the problem, putting a generous interpretation on evidence uncovered in its investigations, although in a small number of cases officers have had to resign or even face criminal charges. Details: London: Civitas, 2014. 130p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 31, 2017 at: http://www.civitas.org.uk/content/files/ATangledWeb.pdf Year: 2014 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.civitas.org.uk/content/files/ATangledWeb.pdf Shelf Number: 146619 Keywords: Crime StatisticsCriminal InvestigationsPolice BehaviorPolice Statistics |
Author: Myrtle, John Title: Addressing the Role of Police in the Protection of Human Rights: the UN Seminar, Canberra, 1963 Summary: Introduction On 12 May 1963, Australia's leading scholar of jurisprudence and international law, Professor Julius Stone of the University of Sydney's Law School, delivered a broadcast on ABC Radio, 'Australia looks to the world: the police and the people'. His comments were occasioned by his recent attendance at the United Nations Seminar on the Role of the Police in the Protection of Human Rights, held in Canberra. Stone had attended the Seminar as an observer representing the International League for the Rights of Man. Stone asked rhetorically why an international meeting dealing with issues such as police arrests, wiretapping, police interrogation of suspects and universal fingerprinting was related in any way to the United Nations and international affairs. He answered in two ways. At one level there was a need to address gross violations of human rights which had grave international repercussions. He cited egregious provisions of the South African Government's apartheid legislation; and the brutality of police in Alabama in dealing with black Americans demonstrating for recognition of their human rights. From another perspective, in the 20th century the importance of human rights of men and women had been the focus of international laws and treaties. These were the contexts for the 1963 UN Seminar. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was approved at the United Nations General Assembly in 1948. The Declaration has become a symbol of that organisation's aspirations. Its enactment into binding institutional and governing norms has been a prolonged process, and continues. For one recent historian of human rights in the post-war world, the first two decades of the United Nation's life were a record of failure. It was not the United Nations, argues Samuel Moyn, but the social movements emerging from the disillusion of the Cold War years, that enlivened human rights as a contemporary political agenda. Yet these were also years in which the organisation institutionalised a commitment to advancing human rights when it established a Division dedicated to the issue. The 50th anniversary of the Canberra UN Seminar on the Role of the Police in the Protection of Human Rights offers a compelling opportunity to reconsider the emergence of human rights as a norm shaping criminal justice principles and practice since the Second World War. The event was unprecedented and its agenda potentially explosive. The institutional and political constraints on the advancement of the human rights agenda in such a forum nevertheless proved formidable. Looking back from 2013 we have the advantage of hindsight in appraising this unusual event. We also face the challenge of understanding its limitations. In the account that follows we consider the hopes that were held for the UN Seminar, the course of its deliberations, and observe the scope of debate around its outcomes at that time. Details: Brisbane : ARC Centre of Excellence in Policing and Security, 2013. 28p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 2, 2017 at: http://apo.org.au/node/35805 Year: 2013 Country: Australia URL: http://apo.org.au/node/35805 Shelf Number: 130024 Keywords: Human RightsHuman Rights AbusesPolice BehaviorPolice Policies and PracticesPolicing |
Author: Sokwanele Title: "I Can Arrest You": The Zimbabwe Republic Police and Your Rights Summary: The swearing in of Zimbabwe's coalition government on February 11, 2009 took place five months after the signing of the power-sharing agreement and almost a year after the flawed and violence-ridden 2008 elections. In his inauguration speech, the new Prime Minister, Morgan Tsvangirai, said that the "culture of entitlement and impunity ... must end." Two years later, in their report of March 2011, titled: "Perpetual Fear - Impunity and Cycles of Violence in Zimbabwe", Human Rights Watch (HRW) wrote that human rights abuses and restoration of the Rule of Law, politically motivated violence and the lack of accountability for abuses remained a serious problem. HRW warned that members of the security forces, ZANU-PF and groups allied to ZANU-PF continued to commit human rights violations, including arbitrary arrests and abductions, beatings, torture and killings of members and supporters of the former opposition party, the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), and those critical of the ZANU-PF and its officials. Today in Zimbabwe, more than three years into the shaky and widely discredited power-sharing arrangement, arrests are escalating, corruption is rampant, human rights violations are rising once more and the Rule of Law has not been restored. All indicators are there to alert Zimbabweans, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the international community that an increasingly desperate and unpopular ZANU-PF is gearing up for the next election. This report focuses on the risk of arrest at the hands of the partisan Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) under the command of Commissioner-General Augustine Chihuri, who has publicly acknowledged his allegiance to ZANU-PF. Chihuri has served as police head since 1993 and his contract has been renewed by President Mugabe 13 times since 1997. Chihuri is a member of Joint Operations Command (JOC), the junta which continues to control Zimbabwe. In a country where the Rule of Law is no longer operational and the security forces operate with impunity, every citizen is vulnerable. A chance remark in a taxi, at a pub or even at a funeral could lead to arrest and possible incarceration in one of the country's disgracefully maintained jails. Those who stand up for their rights and join demonstrations or canvass for political parties other than ZANU-PF face possible arrest, severe beatings and torture in custody. Bribery and corruption have become rampant. In a survey published by Transparency International in 2011, Zimbabwe ranked 154 out of 182 countries in terms of its level of corruption. The ZRP topped the list as the most corrupt institution and stood out as the biggest recipient of bribes among service providers. The proliferation of roadblocks across Zimbabwe's appallingly maintained road network has lead to growing frustration among road users due to the inevitable delays and the demands for bribes from increasingly brazen police officers. Although one of the most important roles of a roadblock should be to reduce the number of vehicle accidents, their contribution is seen as questionable - and rather as a money-making racket both for the police force per se and also for individual self-enrichment. The controversy surrounding the roadblocks extends beyond bribery and corruption to their more sinister roles during elections: their use as a mechanism for blocking food aid to opposition strongholds, for stopping people injured in election violence from seeking medical help and to prevent opposition officials and activists from canvassing or holding rallies. After explaining the legitimate roles of roadblocks, the report gives advice to citizens on their legal rights and provides recommendations on how to deal with police harassment and implicit or overt requests for bribes. In a section describing corruption within the ZRP as "endemic", the report provides examples in a range that includes plundering stolen properties, collusion with bag snatchers, extorting bribes from taxi drivers, demanding bribes at roadblocks, protection rackets, perverting the ends of justice, setting up diamond syndicates and murdering illegal or unlicenced miners for financial gain. Judges have also criticised police investigations of cases where vital information given to the police by State witnesses has been omitted from formal witness statements produced in court in favour of the defence. Furthermore, ZANU-PF members who have murdered MDC supporters have been freed on bail and remain at liberty. The evidence of good policing is the absence of crime. It must be subject to the Rule of Law, rather than the wishes of a powerful leader or party. It can intervene in the life of citizens only under limited and carefully controlled circumstances - and it is publicly accountable. The report explains the differences between civil policing and political policing. It also defines secret policing, where an authoritarian regime uses the police as an agent of political oppression. Citizens within a police state experience restrictions on their mobility, and on their freedom to express or communicate political or other views - which are subject to police monitoring or enforcement. The police force of Zimbabwe, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), was created by Chapter IX of the (Independence) Constitution of 1979, signed at the Lancaster House Conference. It is governed by the Constitution of Zimbabwe - which has been amended 19 times over the past 33 years - and by the Police Act. The current head of the ZRP, Commissioner-General Augustine Chihuri, has served as police head since 1993 and has had his contract renewed by President Mugabe 13 times since 1997. The ZRP is bound by many international human rights standards. It is also a member of SARPCCO, a regional professional association which is committed to disseminating best practices and raising the standard of policing, including the respect for human rights. Not only is the ZRP guilty of perpetrating gross human rights, with many of the victims being opposition activists and supporters, but it is also guilty of abusing its own members. Zimbabweans and the international community were shocked in June 2009 when a secretly filmed two-minute video on You-Tube showed ZRP recruits being beaten while undergoing 'training' in Harare. Each recruit was forced to lie down and was then beaten by 'trainers' with batons, some more viciously than others, a process reportedly referred to as 'pay day'. The concept of "The Rule of Law", and the differences between "The Rule of Law" and "Rule by Law" are explained, with reference to the Constitution - and to people's rights according to the Constitution. The conclusion warns the ZRP that it faces millions of US dollars worth of law suits from political activists and human rights defenders who are claiming compensation for torture, wrongful arrest or abduction. Furthermore, a South African High Court ruled on May 8, 2012 that the South African authorities must investigate Zimbabwean officials who are accused of involvement in torture and crimes against humanity in Zimbabwe. Details: Zimbabwe: Sokwanele, 2012. 42p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 4, 2017 at: http://acjr.org.za/resource-centre/Sokwanele-report-i-can-arrest-you.pdf Year: 2012 Country: Zimbabwe URL: http://acjr.org.za/resource-centre/Sokwanele-report-i-can-arrest-you.pdf Shelf Number: 146699 Keywords: Human Rights AbusesPolice BehaviorPolice BrutalityPolice CorruptionPolicing |
Author: Crowell, Mark Title: Police Officers' Attitudes Toward Civilian Oversight Mechanisms in Ontario, Canada Summary: Police services in Canada were historically self-regulating institutions that managed internally their administrative affairs and allegations of professional misconduct. In recent decades, however, there has been an inexorable movement to external review in many Western nations, including Canada, whereby civilians have become increasingly involved in the administrative oversight of policing and the investigation of complaints about alleged misconduct. Research on how police have responded to these developments is sparse and overwhelmingly non-Canadian. This study examines the attitudes and experiences of police officers pertaining to three types of civilian-led agencies that govern police practices and conduct in Ontario, Canada. To wit: i) Police Services Boards, which provide administrative and financial governance of police services; ii) The Special Investigation Unit (SIU), which investigates instances where citizens have been seriously harmed, killed or allegedly sexually assaulted while in the care of the police; and iii) The Office of the Independent Police Review Director (OIPRD), which reviews and sometimes investigates citizens' complaints about police conduct. A mixed-methods sequential explanatory research design was utilized in this study. In Phase 1: Survey Questionnaire, 1593 police officers from a large police service in Ontario responded to an online survey questionnaire that queried them about their experiences and perceptions in relation to the three previously-mentioned agencies and about their own police service's Professional Standards Bureau. In Phase 2: Semi-structured interviews, 40 interviews were conducted with police officers from the same police service and six interviews were conducted with senior executive representatives from stakeholder organizations in Ontario and across Canada. Results from both the survey questionnaire and the interviews revealed that most police officers were generally accepting of the need for civilian-led oversight initiatives to uphold accountability and public trust in policing. However, this study found that many police officers queried the qualifications (i.e., knowledge, skills, training and experience) of the involved civilian investigators and administrators. Respondents also raised concerns about issues of "procedural justice" (e.g., the quality and frequency of communication during investigations; speed of investigations; notification regarding the outcome) during the course of both civilian-led and police-led investigations into alleged misconduct. Although the majority of respondents expressed a preference for alleged misconduct to be investigated by their own Professional Standards Bureau rather than by personnel from the SIU or the OIPRD, evidence was mixed on the extent to which police officers perceived that civilian oversight agencies pose a significant threat or challenge to their status as "professionals." Many respondents opined that police officers are more closely scrutinized than other professional/occupational groups and are held to higher standards of accountability. A number of practical recommendations are proposed related to enhanced communication and education for police services and relevant stakeholders in Ontario, Canada and beyond. Details: Waterloo, ONT: University of Waterloo, 2016. 410p. Source: Internet Resource: Dissertation: Accessed August 30, 2017 at: https://uwspace.uwaterloo.ca/bitstream/handle/10012/11034/Crowell_Mark.pdf?sequence=9&isAllowed=y Year: 2016 Country: Canada URL: https://uwspace.uwaterloo.ca/bitstream/handle/10012/11034/Crowell_Mark.pdf?sequence=9&isAllowed=y Shelf Number: 146950 Keywords: Citizens Complaints Against PoliceCivilian OversightPolice AccountabilityPolice BehaviorPolice Misconduct |
Author: American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts Title: No Tape, No Testimony: How Courts Can Ensure the Responsible Use of Body Cameras Summary: In January 2015, the Chicago Police Department launched a pilot program requiring its officers to use body-worn cameras. The program began in the wake of public outcry over violence by Chicago police officers against civilians, and a police official explained that it sought to "rebuild[] trust with the residents we're sworn to serve." In July 2016, an officer wearing one of these cameras killed Paul O'Neal, a Black teenager who allegedly stole a car and crashed it into a police cruiser. After Mr. O'Neal fled on foot, the officer fatally shot him in the back. In theory, Mr. O'Neal's final moments should have been recorded by the officer's body camera, and the recording should now be available to assist a court, a jury, or the public in deciding whether the shooting was justified. But no such video exists. The camera worn by the officer who killed Mr. O'Neal was reportedly not turned on until after the fatal shot had been fired. This incident, and others like it, have been cited as cautionary tales about how the value of body cameras can be undermined if the police cannot or will not ensure their consistent use. But police departments are not the only institutions capable of assuring the effective use of body-worn cameras. Courts can do it too. For three reasons, courts can and should encourage the police to record, when practicable, their investigative encounters with civilians. 1. Videos of police-civilian encounters have shaken public confidence in the capacity of legal proceedings to separate fact from fiction. Time and again, cases have been headed for an incorrect result - such as the wrongful prosecution of a civilian or the wrongful exoneration of a police officer - until videos surfaced that contradicted officers' versions of events. Meanwhile, there is growing evidence that witness testimony, on which courts must often rely when video is absent, can be quite flawed when used as the exclusive means of resolving disputes between police officers and civilians. Thus, when video evidence of a police-civilian encounter does not exist, legal proceedings may be less likely to get the right answer or to be respected by the public. 2. Police body-worn cameras present a viable and valuable supplement to witness testimony. These cameras are quickly becoming part of the 21st-century police uniform, with a recent survey of 70 law enforcement agencies finding that 95% of respondents had either implemented or had committed to implementing body camera programs. Body cameras can be critical to uncovering the truth when the facts of a police-civilian encounter are contested. There is also evidence that, when body cameras are consistently worn and activated, they can deter misconduct or violence from happening in the first place. 3. Courts have both a distinct interest in and a unique means of encouraging police officers to record their encounters with civilians. Courts have an interest in conducting legal proceedings that are fair, that avoid wrongful convictions and other catastrophic outcomes, and that efficiently resolve disputes. Given those interests, and given that videos of policecivilian encounters can make the difference between just and unjust results, courts should encourage, when practicable, the recording of police-civilian encounters. Rather than leave this task to police departments, whose disciplinary practices are necessarily inconsistent, courts should provide this encouragement by using tools uniquely at their disposal: jury instructions. This report proposes a model jury instruction that encourages the recording of police-civilian encounters by empowering juries to impose evidentiary consequences for unreasonable or bad faith failures to record. This instruction would tell the jury that, if it finds that the police unreasonably failed to create or preserve a video of a police-civilian encounter, it can devalue an officer's testimony and infer that the video would have helped the civilian. If the jury finds that the case involves bad faith, such as the outright sabotage of body cameras, then it should be instructed to disregard officer testimony altogether. The tools that courts can use to craft this instruction already exist. Several courts now use jury instructions to encourage the recording of custodial interrogations and drunk-driving field tests; they can and should craft similar rules for body cameras. These measures can help prevent wrongful convictions, accurately resolve allegations of police misconduct, and enhance public trust in the justice system's capacity to get it right when confronted with police-civilian violence. Details: Boston: ACLU of Massachusetts; Berkeley, CA: University of California, Berkeley School of Law Samuelson Law, Technology & Public Policy Clinic, 2016. 27p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 2, 2017 at: https://www.law.berkeley.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/SLTPPC_ACLU_BodyCameras_Final.pdf Year: 2016 Country: United States URL: https://www.law.berkeley.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/SLTPPC_ACLU_BodyCameras_Final.pdf Shelf Number: 147015 Keywords: Body-Worn Cameras Law Enforcement Technology (U.S.) Police Accountability Police Behavior Police Technology Police-Citizen Interactions Police-Community Relations Surveillance Video Technology |
Author: Trinkner, Rick Title: Expanding 'Appropriate' Police Behavior Beyond Procedural Justice: Bounded Authority &and Legal Legitimation Summary: This paper expands previous conceptualizations of appropriate police behavior beyond procedural justice. The focus of the current study is on the notion of bounded authority - i.e. respecting the limits of one's power. Work on legal socialization shows how citizens come to acquire three dimensions of values that determine how authorities ought to behave: (a) neutral, consistent and transparent decision-making; (b) interpersonal treatment that conveys respect, dignity and concern; and (c) respect for the limits of rightful authority. Using survey data from a nationally representative sample of US adults, we show that concerns over bounded authority, respectful treatment, and neutral decision-making combine to form a strong predictor of police and legal legitimacy. Legal legitimacy is also associated with greater compliance behavior, controlling for personal morality and perceived likelihood of sanctions. Our conclusions address some future directions of research, particularly in the extension of procedural justice theory. Details: Unpublished Paper, 2016. 28p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 22, 2018 at: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2846659 Year: 2016 Country: United States URL: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2846659 Shelf Number: 149226 Keywords: Legal SocializationPolice BehaviorPolice LegitimacyPolice-Citizen InteractionsProcedural Justice |
Author: Sacca, Giacomo Title: Not just another piece of equipment: an analysis for police body-worn camera policy decisions Summary: In the United States, law enforcement agencies are rapidly deploying body-worn cameras (BWCs) to increase organizational transparency and foster positive community relations. Proponents of the technology see BWCs as a tool to ensure police legitimacy and eliminate abusive conduct. Preliminary evidence identifies several benefits of using BWCs, such as: reduced citizen complaints, increased cooperation, and lower civil liability. However, emerging evidence suggests that the devices may be achieving the intended goals but with unintended consequences. BWC use may inadvertently increase use of force incidents and reduce the time that the police spend on de-escalating a situation. This thesis employs qualitative research methodology to examine how BWCs affect the ambiguous nature of police decision-making, as well as the effects of BWC use on the public, thereby investigating solutions for the frayed police-public relationship. By analyzing current data available on BWCs, examining information on human decision-making including heuristics, and completing a comparative analysis of a similar police technology-the vehicle dashboard camera-the thesis finds that BWC use can have different and changing impacts on police behavior, suggesting that variables related to human factors alter the dynamics of BWC use. The thesis provides recommendations that cover independent agency BWC evaluations, organizational training, limits on discretionary officer recording, and the practical application of automated camera systems. Details: Monterey, California: Naval Postgraduate School, 2017. 148p. Source: Internet Resource: Thesis: Accessed February 23, 2018 at: https://calhoun.nps.edu/bitstream/handle/10945/56797/17Dec_Sacca_Giacomo.pdf?sequence=1 Year: 2017 Country: United States URL: https://calhoun.nps.edu/bitstream/handle/10945/56797/17Dec_Sacca_Giacomo.pdf?sequence=1 Shelf Number: 149231 Keywords: Body-Worn CamerasCamerasPolice AccountabilityPolice BehaviorPolice Decision-MakingPolice LegitimacyPolice TechnologyPolice-Community Relations |
Author: California. Office of the Attorney General Title: URSUS: Use of Force Incident Reporting Summary: URSUS, 2016 presents a summary overview of use of force and discharge of firearm incidents as defined in Government Code section 12525.2. Due to the narrow definition of this statute, the data contained in this report only represent incidents where use of force resulted in serious bodily injury or death or the discharge of a firearm. Caution should be used in making comparisons or generalizations with this data set as it does not contain the full spectrum of use of force incidents that occurred in California. - In 2016, there were 782 incidents that involved use of force resulting in serious bodily injury or death of a civilian or officer; or the discharge of a firearm. - Of the 782 incidents, 328 reported a discharge of a firearm. - Of the 782 incidents, 49.0 percent (383) occurred during a call for service, 17.8 percent (139) resulted from a vehicle/bike/pedestrian stop, and 16.2 percent (127) occurred while either a crime was in progress or while officers were investing suspicious persons or circumstances. - Of the 782 incidents, 75.7 percent (592) resulted in an arrest. (Tables 2A and 2B) - In 2016, 832 civilians were involved in incidents that involved the discharge of a firearm or use of force resulting in serious bodily injury or death. - Of the 832 civilians, 92.3 percent (768) were male, 6.0 percent (50) were female, and 1.7 percent (14) fled the scene and their gender was unknown. - Of the 832 civilians, 42.2 percent (351) were Hispanic, 30.0 percent (250) were white, and 19.6 percent (163) were black. - Of the 832 civilians, 30.9 percent (257) were hit by the discharge of a firearm, 16.7 (139) and 13.7 percent (114) received force by control hold/ takedown tactics and electronic control device deployment, respectively. - Of the 832 civilians, 63.8 percent (531) were injured, 15.6 percent (130) were not injured, and 18.9 percent (157) died. (Table 21) - Of the 832 civilians, 476 were perceived armed and 354 were confirmed armed. were involved in incidents that involved the discharge of a firearm or use of force resulting in serious bodily injury or death. - Of the 1,729 officers, 95.0 percent (1,642) were male and 5.0 percent (87) were female. - Of the 1,729 officers, 56.5 percent (977) were white, 31.7 percent (548) were Hispanic, 4.8 percent (83) were Asian/Pacific Islander, and 3.4 percent (59) were black. - Of the 1,729 officers, 43.7 percent (755) did not receive force, 24.2 percent (419) received force during physical contact with a civilian, and 9.8 percent (169) received force by the discharge of a firearm. - Of the 1,729 officers, 20.2 percent (349) were injured, 79.5 percent (1,374) were not injured, and 0.3 percent (6) died. - Of the 1,729 officers, 1,603 reported use of force to affect arrest/take into custody (1,209), to overcome resistance (381), or to prevent escape (13). Details: Sacramento: The Office, 2016. 68p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 12, 2018 at: http://www.jrsa.org/pubs/sac-digest/vol-27/ca-ursus-2016.pdf Year: 2016 Country: United States URL: http://www.jrsa.org/pubs/sac-digest/vol-27/ca-ursus-2016.pdf Shelf Number: 149440 Keywords: Deadly ForcePolice AccountabilityPolice BehaviorPolice StatisticsPolice Use of Force |
Author: Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission Title: Audit of Victoria Police's oversight of serious incidents Summary: o determine how effectively Victoria Police oversights serious incidents involving its officers, IBAC audited more than 140 oversight files closed by Victoria Police during the 2015/16 financial year. The audit examined Victoria Police's oversight of serious incidents resulting in death and serious injury following police contact. The audit identified that there are aspects of Victoria Police's oversight process that are concerning and which could be improved. When a person dies or is seriously injured following an interaction with police, Victoria Police conducts an oversight of the incident and any subsequent investigation. Victoria Police's oversight process seeks to identify whether the serious incident was preventable or whether improvements could be made to police policies or practices to prevent similar incidents from occurring. Victoria Police also examines whether the investigation of the death or serious injury met the standards expected for handling serious incidents. Victoria Police conducts an oversight in response to the following serious incidents: a death or serious injury resulting from contact between police and the public a death or serious injury to a person in police custody an attempted suicide by a person in police custody an incident involving the discharge of a firearm by police an escape from custody any serious vehicle collision involving police. This report presents the findings of IBAC's audit of Victoria Police oversight files (known as C1-8 files). The audit assessed whether Victoria Police's oversights were thorough and impartial and met the standards required of such reviews. IBAC also examined relevant Victoria Police policies, conducted data analysis, and reviewed case studies. IBAC has made recommendations for Victoria Police to improve its oversight of serious incidents which Victoria Police has accepted. IBAC will monitor how Victoria Police implements these recommendations. The audit is part of an ongoing program of audits that IBAC conducts on how Victoria Police handles complaints. These audits help Victoria Police build capacity to prevent corrupt conduct and police misconduct by identifying areas of improvement around complaint handling. IBAC's audits also identify good practice that could be considered more broadly by Victoria Police. In doing so, audits help build public confidence in the integrity of Victoria Police's processes and in IBAC's independent police oversight role. Details: Melbourne: The Commission, 2018.62p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 6, 2018 at: http://www.ibac.vic.gov.au/docs/default-source/research-documents/audit-of-victoria-police-oversight-of-serious-incidents.pdf?sfvrsn=2 Year: 2018 Country: Australia URL: http://www.ibac.vic.gov.au/docs/default-source/research-documents/audit-of-victoria-police-oversight-of-serious-incidents.pdf?sfvrsn=2 Shelf Number: 149710 Keywords: Police AccountabilityPolice BehaviorPolice MisconductPolice PerformancePolice Use of ForcePolice-Citizen Interactions |
Author: New York City Civilian Complaint Review Board Title: Crossing the Threshold: An Evaluation of Civilian Complaints of Improper Entries and Searches by the NYPD from January 2010 to October 2015 Summary: Police search and seizure-especially of homes-represents one of the most invasive forms of intrusion of individual liberty. When conducted without proper constitutional authority, home searches are one of the most serious violations of privacy and, consequently, types of police misconduct that engender anger at and distrust of police authority. Entries are fraught with a range of potential dangers to both civilians and officers. Many officers enter homes early in the morning when occupants are sleeping, in a state of undress, and engaged in the private routines in preparation for the day ahead-often leaving residents and their children frightened, confused, and angry. Police officers find themselves in chaotic and potentially dangerous situations, with an unknown number of occupants in the home and limited knowledge of what they will encounter. Even when done lawfully, police entries are forceful, aggressive and surprising, intended to apprehend suspects and seize evidence of a crime. Data compiled by CCRB indicates that most officers in the New York Police Department (the "NYPD" or "Department") enter homes to respond to crimes-in-progress, to render aid to residents, or pursuant to valid search or arrest warrants. Yet the cost of loss of confidence in the presumption of lawful conduct as a result of the cohort of improper entries and searches far outweighs their modest prevalence. Not only are core civil liberties violated, but the necessary constructive relationship between community members and the police is degraded. The community's tolerance for law enforcement activity and compliance with the law rises and falls upon its sense of police legitimacy and authority. Where officers fail to act in accordance with the law requiring procedural and substantive warrant requirements, civilians lose trust and confidence in the police. A lack of procedural justice contributes to a perception that police ignore the law's constraints. To understand the nature and scope of civilian complaints regarding police search and seizure at premises, the CCRB conducted a study of over five and a half years of fully investigated complaints. The CCRB is the largest police oversight agency in the nation and is empowered to receive, investigate, make findings and recommend action upon complaints by New Yorkers alleging misconduct by NYPD officers. See NYC Charter 440(c)(1). To further this mission, CCRB issues monthly, biannual, and special statistical and qualitative reports analyzing trends and recurring issues arising from the many thousands of civilian complaints it receives. These reports act as a barometer of police-civilian encounters in a number of ways, including the police practices that civilians find most troubling. In its role as an independent investigator of misconduct allegations, CCRB is uniquely positioned to identify the circumstances that generate civilian complaints, to assess whether officer conduct is improper, and to offer recommendations to redress misconduct. Details: New York: The Complaint Review Board, 2015. 111p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 24, 2018 at: http://www1.nyc.gov/assets/ccrb/downloads/pdf/policy_pdf/issue_based/20160219_entry-search-report.pdf Year: 2015 Country: United States URL: http://www1.nyc.gov/assets/ccrb/downloads/pdf/policy_pdf/issue_based/20160219_entry-search-report.pdf Shelf Number: 150360 Keywords: Civilian ComplaintsPolice BehaviorPolice MisconductPolice-Civilian InteractionsSearch and Seizure |
Author: Sandhu, Noor Title: "They don't have a platform here": Exploring police perceptions of the Black Lives Matter movement in Canada Summary: Recent high-profile lethal use of force incidents in the United States involving White police officers and Black males have cast unfavorable international attention on the policing profession. Research indicates that Black people are disproportionately represented at all levels of the criminal justice system within Canada and the United States; their relationship with the police in particular has been adverse throughout history (Warde, 2012; Kahn & Martin, 2016). The current qualitative analysis explored the thoughts, perceptions and experiences of municipal police officers in the GVR and examined the following research questions: (1) To what degree, if any, has the recent BLM movement affected municipal policing in the GVR? and; (2) What can municipal policing agencies in the Vancouver area do to distance themselves from the BLM movement and anti-police rhetoric that is occurring in many parts of the United States? The BLM movement is present in Canada, but the anti-police rhetoric currently spreading throughout the United States is not. Officers described a positive relationship with community members in the GVR further stating that interactions between themselves and the community have not changed since the emergence of the BLM movement. These findings indicate that the BLM movement is not a "one-size fits all" movement. The overall positive nature of community-police relations in this region exist regardless of the community's exposure to an increase in controversial police behaviour. Details: Burnaby, BC: Simon Fraser University, 2018. 144p. Source: Internet Resource: Thesis: Accessed July 16, 2018 at: http://summit.sfu.ca/item/17987 Year: 2018 Country: Canada URL: http://summit.sfu.ca/item/17987 Shelf Number: 150891 Keywords: Black Lives Matter Deadly Force Police BehaviorPolice Use of Force Police-Citizen Interactions Police-Community Relations |