NCJ Number
153465
Date Published
1995
Length
214 pages
Annotation
Based on public forums conducted by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People in six cities in 1991, this volume focuses on relations between police and African American communities throughout the country.
Abstract
The discussion presents the perspectives of police personnel, criminal justice researchers, community leaders, public officials, and citizens regarding patterns of police conduct with respect to black residents, particularly in cities. The analysis revealed that racism is a central part of police misconduct and that citizens experience police abuse in many forms. However, police agencies have only begun to address police abuse and have failed to track or discipline officers who are repeat offenders. Further findings were that racism harms law enforcement and that police agencies are beginning to respond to community needs in police training. Recommendations for change include a major change in the concept of policing, greater police accountability, a real commitment to diversity in hiring, evaluation of criteria for recruitment and hiring, continuing training and education, reevaluation of promotion criteria, and use of community policing and civilian review in all police agencies. Index and chapter reference notes