ENFORCING CRIMINAL CIVIL RIGHTS STATUTES - THE POLICY AND RESPONSIBILITY OF THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT

• NCJ Number: 2723
• Journal: Police Chief Volume: 38 Issue: 9 Dated: (SEPTEMBER 1971) Pages: 56 & 59
• Author(s): J P TURNER; K W O'CONNOR
• Date Published: 1971
• Length: 3 pages
• Corporate Author: International Assoc of Chiefs of Police
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

ANALYSIS OF THE PROCESS INVOLVED IN PROSECUTING LOCAL POLICE OFFICERS FOR VIOLATIONS OF FEDERAL CRIMINAL CIVIL RIGHTS STATUTES.

Abstract

THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE INVESTIGATES ALLEGATIONS THAT RIGHTS HAVE BEEN VIOLATED BY POLICE OFFICERS. PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION BY THE FBI AND JUSTICE DEPARTMENT RESULTS IN THE DISMISSAL OF THE MAJORITY OF COMPLAINTS AS UNFOUNDED. FOR A POLICE OFFICER TO BE PROSECUTED UNDER THESE STATUTES IT IS FIRST NECESSARY TO ESTABLISH THAT ALL THE ELEMENTS OF THE OFFENSE, INCLUDING INTENT, ARE PRESENT, AND THAT LOCAL ACTION IS INADEQUATE OR ABSENT.