NCJ Number
88680
Date Published
1982
Length
21 pages
Annotation
Currently in Canada, police managers do not know to whom they are accountable and for what; what is needed is a clear delineation of the lines of authority and responsibility for managing the police function.
Abstract
Any framework of police accountability should give the civilian authority all the workable controls necessary to ensure that police practice conforms to the social and political goals of government and that the principle is embedded in the rule of law. At the same time, the daily exercise of discretion by individual officers must be safeguarded in situations where control is neither feasible nor desirable. The control of the police function should be linked to the ministry responsible for delivery of the other justice services, and planning and operations should be linked. Also, operational flexibility should be emphasized, and as much authority as possible should given to every unit down to the smallest within the structure. Accountability must be based in some agreement on policing goals and the police role. The recommended priority of functions is (1) the maintenance of order, (2) crime prevention, (3) the investigation of crime and other law violations, (4) the apprehension and possible detention of suspects, and (5) the laying of information before a justice of the peace and in subsequent criminal trials. The provincial attorney general should exercise proper control in ensuring that police practices are consistent with the goals established in collaboration with the government. Written policies for a system of ongoing inspection and evaluation as well as citizen complaints should be established. A conference discussion of the paper and 20 references are provided.