NCJ Number
45116
Journal
Law and Order Volume: 24 Issue: 10 Dated: (OCTOBER 1976) Pages: 90-93
Date Published
1976
Length
4 pages
Annotation
THE FINDINGS OF A QUESTIONNAIRE SURVEY OF MAJOR WASHINGTON, D.C., METROPOLITAN AREA POLICE DEPARTMENTS, INQUIRING ABOUT DISCIPLINE PROCEDURES, ARE REPORTED.
Abstract
NINE POLICE DEPARTMENTS IN THE WASHINGTON METROPOLITAN AREA WERE INCLUDED IN THE STUDY OF DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES. AFTER RECEIVING A COPY OF EACH POLICE DEPARTMENT'S HANDBOOK OF RULES AND REGULATIONS, A QUESTIONNAIRE (NOT INCLUDED) WAS PREPARED AND SUBMITTED BY MAIL TO THE HEAD OF EACH INTERNAL INVESTIGATIONS OFFICE, OR THE OFFICE OF CHIEF OF POLICE. THE QUESTIONNAIRE FOCUSED ON THE SCOPE OF THE RULES OF CONDUCT, THE PROCEDURE FOLLOWED WHEN A VIOLATION OF A RULE OF CONDUCT OCCURS, THE POWERS OF THE POLICE CHIEF IN AN INTERNAL INVESTIGATION, TYPES OF DISCIPLINE, ACTION TAKEN, THE IMPACT OF POLICE EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATIONS ON THE MAKING OF DISCIPLINE POLICIES, POSITIVE VERSUS NEGATIVE DISCIPLINE, AND THE EFFECT OF DISCIPLINE ON POLICE CORRUPTION. WITH REFERENCE TO THE SUBJECT OF POSITIVE VERSUS NEGATIVE DISCIPLINE, NEGATIVE DISCIPLINE RELIES ON PUNISHMENT OR THE THREAT OF PUNISHMENT TO KEEP OFFICERS IN CONFORMITY WITH THE DEPARTMENT'S RULES OF CONDUCT, WHEREAS POSITIVE DISCIPLINE AIMS AT CONDITIONING CORRECT CONDUCT THROUGH TRAINING, COMMENDATION, INCENTIVE AWARDS, PERFORMANCE RATINGS, AND COUNSELING. FROM THE QUESTIONNAIRE DATA, IT IS INDICATED THAT THE NINE DEPARTMENTS DO HAVE PRESCRIBED SETS OF RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR THEIR EMPLOYEES. APPARENTLY, THE MANAGEMENT OF THE DEPARTMENTS STUDIED CONSIDER THAT THEIR EMPLOYEES REGARD THEIR RULES OF CONDUCT AS BEING FAIR AND EQUITABLE. IT IS NOTED THAT THE SURVEY MADE NO ATTEMPT TO ASSESS THE EMPOLYEES' ATTITUDES IN THIS REGARD. ACCORDING TO QUESTIONNAIRE RESPONSES, EMPLOYEES ARE NEVER THREATENED WITH THE USE OF DISCIPLINARY ACTION TO COMPEL THEM TO COOPERATE IN AN INTERNAL INVESTIGATION, BUT THEIR REGULATIONS REQUIRE THEM TO ANSWER TRUTHFULLY ANY QUESTIONS ASKED OF THEM. THE THREAT OF THE USE OF THE POLYGRAPH ENCOURAGES THIS. FORMS OF BOTH POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE DISCIPLINE PROCEDURES ARE CURRENTLY USED BY ALL AGENCIES; HOWEVER, THERE IS NO CONCLUSIVE INDICATION THAT ONE FORM OF DISCIPLINE IS PREFERRED OVER ANOTHER. THE AUTHOR RECOMMENDS A BALANCED APPLICATION OF BOTH FORMS OF DISCIPLINE. ALL DEPARTMENTS DENIED THE EXISTENCE OF ANY CORRUPTION IN THEIR AGENCIES. (RCB)