GORDON (NB) - LAW ENFORCEMENT NEEDS ASSESSMENT

• NCJ Number: 54161
• Author(s): C D HALE
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 47 pages
• Contract Number(s): J-LEAA-002-76
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Justice
• Corporate Author: Public Admin Service
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THE LAW ENFORCEMENT PROBLEMS OF A SMALL TOWN LOCATED IN RURAL NEBRASKA, NEAR THE PINE RIDGE INDIAN RESERVATION, ARE ASSESSED, AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ADDRESSING THE PROBLEMS ARE OFFERED.

Abstract

THE ASSESSMENT IS BASED ON A CONSULTANT'S 5-DAY VISIT TO GORDON, NEBR., DURING WHICH HE FOUND SIGNIFICANT, CRITICAL PROBLEMS. THE MOST PRESSING PROBLEM IS ALCOHOL-RELATED CRIME, PRIMARILY AMONG NONRESIDENTS WHO DO NOT SHARE THE FINANCIAL BURDEN OF PROVIDING POLICE SERVICES IN GORDON. POLICE LEADERSHIP AND TRAINING ARE LACKING, AND ATTRITION AMONG OFFICERS IS HIGH. THERE IS CONSIDERABLE TENSION BETWEEN THE GORDON POLICE AND THE INDIAN POPULATION, A RESULT OF THE DEPARTMENT'S REPUTATION FOR BRUTALITY AGAINST INDIANS AND OF THE PRESENCE OF MILITANTS DURING THE WOUNDED KNEE TAKEOVER AT PINE RIDGE. UNDERLYING THESE SITUATIONS IS THE HIGH RATE OF ALCOHOLISM, UNEMPLOYMENT, CRIME, INADEQUATE HOUSING, AND RELATED PROBLEMS AMONG INDIAN RESIDENTS OF PINE RIDGE AND OF GORDON. THE CITY IS ADVISED TO HIRE AND TRAIN PART-TIME AUXILIARY OFFICERS TO HANDLE PEAK LAW ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITY PERIODS, WHICH GENERALLY ARE RELATED TO THE CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL AND ARE EASILY PREDICTED. EFFORTS TO IMPROVE THE LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT SKILLS OF THE POLICE CHIEF AND TO EXPLORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR INSERVICE TRAINING OF PATROL OFFICERS ARE URGED, AS IS THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A FORMAL LINK BETWEEN THE TRIBAL POLICE AGENCY AND THE GORDON POLICE. THE POSSIBILITY OF CONTRACTING WITH THE COUNTY FOR CERTAIN LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICES IS CONSIDERED, AS ARE OPTIONS FOR INCREASING REVENUES (TAXES ON TAVERNS AND LIQUOR STORES, LIQUOR SALES TAX, CITY SALES TAX) TO PAY FOR NEEDED POLICE SERVICES. HOWEVER, IT IS EMPHASIZED THAT MANY OF THE PROBLEMS CONFRONTING GORDON ARE NOT THE COMMUNITY'S MAKING AND LIE BEYOND ITS CONTROL. FEDERAL AND STATE AUTHORITIES ARE URGED TO RECOGNIZE AND PROVIDE ASSISTANCE IN SITUATIONS SUCH AS THAT IN GORDON, AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS ENCOURAGED TO DO MORE TO ADDRESS THE SOCIAL ILLS BESETTING THE INDIAN PEOPLE. A LIST OF SOURCES OF POLICE MANAGEMENT TRAINING IS APPENDED.