NCJ Number
144615
Date Published
1993
Length
116 pages
Annotation
A futures study examined preventive approaches to police misconduct, focusing on how future police officers will be educated in ethical behavior and how police agencies will adherence to ethical standards 10 years in the future.
Abstract
Information was gathered and analyzed by means of a literature review, the nominal group technique, a cross- impact analysis, and the development of three alternative scenarios for the future and a strategic plan to influence the selected future. The analysis revealed five likely future trends: (1) holding agency leaders accountable for agency employee misconduct, (2) increasing public involvement in reviews of police misconduct, (3) declining public confidence in law enforcement performance, (4) a continuing influence of diverse cultural and ethical values among police applicants, and (5) increasing activity by police unions in setting ethical standards and disciplinary processes. These trends, together with likely events, suggested the appropriateness of a strategy in which police management sets and uses ethical standards in all agency guidelines and performance evaluations. Other stakeholders would be involved in implementing this strategy. Figures, appended background information, reference notes, and 12 references