Dark Side of the Force (From Critical Issues in Policing: Contemporary Readings, P 250-270, 1989, Roger G Dunham and Geoffrey P Alpert, eds. -- See NCJ-114674)

• NCJ Number: 114680
• Author(s): J Dorschner
• Date Published: 1989
• Length: 21 pages
• Sale Source: Waveland Press, Inc.
• Publication Type: Best Practice/State-of-the-Art Review
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

The morale and other problems being experienced by the Miami Police Department are described, with emphasis on the effects of the city's dramatic ethnic transformation in the last two decades, the affirmative action program established in the department in 1977, the corruption in the department, and the changes in its leadership.

Abstract

The city's ethnic changes have been accompanied by a major increase in crime and unrest. In addition, killings of blacks by white police officers have touched off 2 major riots in the last 10 years. Moreover, the department has expanded rapidly amid affirmative action and residency requirements, leading to charges that the quality and competence of the police force has declined. Controversy has arisen over testing, selection, and promotion procedures and results. Investigations of corruption among police have led to charges of murder, major drug dealing, and conspiring to sell police radios and badges. The department has also had three chiefs in a little more than 3 years, with one chief being fired at 2:47 a.m. following a frenzied night of conspiracy and accusations. Divisions along racial and ethnic lines are apparent within the department. Whether this turmoil and discontent has affected crime and public safety is unclear. Some observers believe that the problems have made individual officers less willing to make extra efforts to look for violations. Nevertheless, 4 years have passed without a police-inspired riot, and other observers believe that morale is improving as political influences decline and changes appear likely in the hiring and promotion systems.