NCJ Number
182102
Journal
Policing: An International Journal of Police Strategies & Management Volume: 23 Issue: 1 Dated: 2000 Pages: 54-68
Editor(s)
Lawrence F. Travis III
Date Published
2000
Length
15 pages
Annotation
The purpose of this study was to validate the use of externally generated citizen allegations of misconduct as an indicator of police malpractice by comparing the occurrence of internally generated complaints.
Abstract
The study used internal and external complaints of police misconduct that were filed with the internal affairs office of a large police department in the southeastern United States. Citizen complaints were included in the analysis if a citizen contacted the police department and expressed displeasure over a contact with a sworn police officer. During the period of analysis from 1995 to 1997, 1,126 police misconduct allegations were filed. Analysis findings showed there was some convergence between citizen complaints and internal allegations of police misconduct. Police officers who had at least one citizen complaint were more likely to have at least one internal allegation of misconduct. When compared to the police department as a whole, citizen-identified problem police officers were nearly twice as likely to be named in at least one internal allegation of misconduct. The proportion of minority police officers accused of misconduct by their supervisors and/or peers was nearly double that of minority police officers accused of misconduct by citizens. In no instance did a police officer file an excessive force complaint against another police officer. In general, the number of complaints filed against police officers was relatively small. 17 references and 3 tables