NCJ Number
132945
Journal
State Peace Officers Journal Volume: 40 Issue: 2 Dated: (Summer 1991) Pages: 82-86,115-116
Date Published
1991
Length
7 pages
Annotation
Because of the great power of police and the temptation to abuse it, the need for often painful reforms cannot be ignored.
Abstract
The first step to reform is to recognize that, while the problems each agency faces may be unique, the specific nature of police wrongdoing eventually comes under the rubric of brutality or corruption. There are many ways to establish what reforms are most needed in a given agency. Sometimes the answers are obvious, while other times, an outside investigative agency should make recommendations. In either case, the police administrator must choose targets and issues carefully. While civilian review boards can be vehicles for reform, they should not have the power to adjudicate disciplinary cases. Once the problems have been identified and a corrective strategy adopted, the agency must enlist public support; effective use of the media is the best way to achieve this. Well-planned administrative approaches can implement reform better than court orders or legislation. Organizational responses to the attempted reforms must be gauged using inside and outside probes; strong internal affairs and auditing or investigative units are essential to the development of an effective program of reform. Finally, unions must be persuaded that the reforms are also in their best interests.