NCJ Number
124490
Journal
Journal of Police Science and Administration Volume: 17 Issue: 2 Dated: (June 1990) Pages: 77-83
Date Published
1990
Length
7 pages
Annotation
The handling of allegations of misconduct in law enforcement internally by the department has raised concerns about the integrity of the process.
Abstract
The involvement of citizens in the process of handling citizen complaints against the police might help alleviate the problem. A principle concern involving civilian oversight is the extent to which the civilian element is accorded an independent role in the complaint process. This paper offers a brief explanation about why the issue of independence is considered a highly sensitive and critical concern, and it explores the nature of independence in the civilian oversight process. Police have opposed civilian involvement in the complaint process and have raised their debate from an emotional level to a higher order. Using a time continuum model to explore alternative perceptions of independence, the author identifies three district perceptions of independence. These are referred to as symbolic, checks and balances, and interest groups. Symbolic independence is characterized by political orations that promise some form of citizen involvement in the review process. The theory of checks and balances focuses on the separation of multiple power centers. Interest group theories show that power is distributed among several groups both within and outside the government. Independence could be assured by achieving a level of political strength within and across the various groups which make up the community. The author suggests that the leadership within civilian oversight should adopt a strategy to attain the same status as an interest group. 3 endnotes, 42 references.