NCJ Number
60097
Journal
Crime and Social Justice Volume: 11 Dated: (SPRING-SUMMER 1979) Pages: 51-59
Date Published
1979
Length
9 pages
Annotation
THIS ARTICLE CONTENDS THAT LEAA'S RESEARCH ON POLICE USE OF DEADLY FORCE WILL NOT CONSIDER POLITICAL, ECONOMIC, AND INSTITUTIONAL ASPECTS OF POLICE-CAUSED DEATHS.
Abstract
THERE ARE DIFFERENT LEVELS OF PEER REVIEW IN THE SHAPING OF RESEARCH SOLICITATIONS BY THE LEAA. IN THE 1977-1978 FUNDING CYCLE, LEAA ACTIVATED PLANS TO INVOLVE RACIAL MINORITIES IN DETERMINING AND FUNDING RESEARCH PROJECTS. A PLANNING SESSION WAS HELD THAT INVOLVED APPROXIMATELY 30 MINORITY CRIMINAL JUSTICE ACADEMICS AND PRACTITIONERS TO OBTAIN MINORITY INPUT ON THE IDENTIFICATION OF RESEARCHABLE AREAS PERTINENT TO RACE AND CRIME FOR POTENTIAL FUNDING. A STUDY CAME TO THE ATTENTION OF THE LEAA AND WAS CITED AT THE PLANNING SESSION TO SUPPORT THE NOTION THAT RACE IS NOT A FACTOR IN POLICE USE OF DEADLY FORCE. GROUP CONSENSUS WAS REACHED THAT RACE SHOULD BE CONSIDERED IN POLICE-CAUSED DEATHS, IN THE SELECTION OF CITIES TO BE STUDIED IN RESEARCH EFFORTS TO ASSURE A SAMPLE LARGE ENOUGH FOR ANALYSIS, AND IN THE ANALYSIS OF POLICE AND VICTIM CHARACTERISTICS. LITERATURE INDICATES THAT, IN RACIAL COMMUNITIES WHERE POLICE OFFICERS HAVE THE HIGHEST RATES OF ENCOUNTERS WITH CITIZENS, COERCIVE FORCE HAS CONTRADICTED ITS INTENDED EFFECT. SUCH FORCE HAS BEEN INVOKED IN COMMUNITIES WHERE PEOPLE HAVE EXPERIENCED EXPLOITATION AND LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF RACISM AND HAS CREATED A DIALECTIC THROUGH WHICH PEOPLE HAVE ACQUIRED CHARACTER IN THEIR STRUGGLE WITH ANTAGONISTS. OVER-POLICING IN RACIAL COMMUNITIES, INCLUDING THE USE OF DEADLY FORCE, IS IN HARMONY WITH THE INCREASING TREND TOWARD REPRESSIVE PUNISHMENT, SUCH AS LONGER PENAL SENTENCES AND THE REVIVAL OF CAPITAL PUNISHMENT. POLICE UNIONS PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN EXPLOITING RACISM TO PERPETUATE EXISTING SOCIAL RELATIONS, PARTICULARLY IN THE CASE OF HIRING BLACK POLICE OFFICERS TO PACIFY THE BLACK COMMUNITY. IT IS CONCLUDED THAT THE AIM OF RESEARCH IS NOT RACE AND RACISM AND THAT INDIVIDUAL RANK AND FILE POLICE OFFICERS WILL BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE IN LEAA'S RESEARCH ON POLICE USE OF DEADLY FORCE WITHOUT ADEQUATE CONSIDERATION OF POLITICAL, ECONOMIC, AND INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS. REFERENCES ARE CITED. (DEP)