JUSTIFIABLE HOMICIDE BY POLICE OFFICERS (FROM POLICE PATROL READINGS, 2D ED. 1970, BY SAMUEL G CHAPMAN SEE NCJ-01974)

• NCJ Number: 15190
• Author(s): G D ROBIN
• Date Published: 1970
• Length: 13 pages
• Corporate Author: Charles C. Thomas
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS. ARTICLE FROM THE JOURNAL OF CRIMINAL LAW, CRIMINOLOGY AND POLICE SCIENCE

Annotation

STUDY OF ALL POLICE KILLINGS OF CRIMINALS IN PHILADELPHIA, WITH COMPARATIVE DATA FROM NINE OTHER CITIES HAVING A POPULATION OF MORE THAN 250,000.

Abstract

IN THIS ELEVEN-YEAR PERIOD, THE PHILADELPHIA POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORTED 32 POLICE SLAYINGS OF CRIMINALS. THE NINE CITIES SUPPLYING COMPARATIVE DATA INCLUDED BOSTON, BUFFALO, MILWAUKEE, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, CHICAGO, MIAMI, CINCINNATI, AKRON, AND KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI. FOR ALL TEN CITIES, THERE WERE 350 CRIMINALS KILLED DURING THIS PERIOD. THE NUMBER OF BLACK V-O'S (VICTIM-OFFENDERS) WAS MARKEDLY DISPROPORTIONATE TO THEIR POPULATION, WITH AN ANNUAL RATIO TO WHITES OF 7 TO 1. THE NUMBER OF FEMALE V-O'S WAS ALMOST NEGLIGIBLE. VICTIMS OF POLICE SLAYINGS WERE GENERALLY RELATIVELY YOUNG. IN THE 191 CASES IN WHICH AGE WAS KNOWN, HALF OF THE V-O'S WERE LESS THAN 28 YEARS OLD. MOST OF THE 32 VICTIM-OFFENDERS KILLED IN PHILADELPHIA FORCIBLY RESISTED ARREST. ALMOST WITHOUT EXCEPTION, THESE V-O'S WERE GIVEN ADEQUATE WARNING OF THE POSSIBLE CONSEQUENCES OF REFUSAL TO SURRENDER. ABOUT TWO THIRDS OF THE 32 DECEDENTS HAD PREVIOUS CRIMINAL RECORDS AND HAD BEEN SENTENCED TO A PENAL INSTITUTION AT LEAST ONCE. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)