NCJ Number
9437
Date Published
1972
Length
32 pages
Annotation
OUTLINE OF FACTORS WHICH CREATE A NEED FOR POLICE LEGAL UNITS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE SIZE OF UNITS FOR DEPARTMENTS WITH DIFFERENT LEVELS OF POLICE MANPOWER.
Abstract
ONE OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT ORGANIZATIONAL INNOVATIONS IN THE LAW ENFORCEMENT FIELD IS THE POLICE LEGAL UNIT. THE EFFORTS OF POLICE LEGAL ADVISORS CAN DECREASE THE NUMBER OF ADVERSE COURT DECISIONS RESULTING FROM IMPROPER ARRESTS AND SEARCHES. THIS REPORT, WHICH WAS APPROVED BY THE SIXTH ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF POLICE LEGAL ADVISORS IN 1971, ANALYZES THE VARIOUS FUNCTIONS OF A LEGAL UNIT. THE HISTORY OF EXISTING POLICE LEGAL ADVISOR PROGRAMS IS TRACED. GUIDELINES ARE OFFERED FOR DEFINING THE ORGANIZATIONAL FRAMEWORK, STAFF DUTIES, AND OPERATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF LEGAL UNITS. THE POLICE ADVISOR'S FUNCTION IN TRAINING IS SUMMARIZED, WITH EMPHASIS ON HIS ROLE IN DRAFTING DIRECTIVES TO INTERPRET RECENT COURT DECISIONS. THE NEED FOR ESTABLISHING LIAISON BETWEEN PROSECUTION OFFICES AND THE POLICE LEGAL UNIT IS NOTED. ALTERNATIVE STATEWIDE AND PART-TIME ADVISOR PROGRAMS ARE IDENTIFIED, AS WELL AS GRANT SOURCES TO AID THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW PROGRAMS. THE APPENDICES CONTAIN A SAMPLE ORDER FOR ESTABLISHING A UNIT OPERATING PROCEDURE, A SAMPLE UNIT BUDGET, AND RELATED MATERIALS. (SNI ABSTRACT)