NCJ Number
29426
Journal
LAW OFFICER Volume: 8 Issue: 3 Dated: (JULY/AUGUST 1975) Pages: 6-7,26 AND 28
Date Published
1975
Length
4 pages
Annotation
THE CURRENT RESTRICTIONS ON POLITICAL ACTIVITY BY INDIVIDUAL POLICE OFFICERS ARE REVIEWED, AND SUPPORT OF BILLS LIBERALIZING THE PRESENT RESTRICTIONS ON THE RIGHTS OF THE POLICE TO PARTICIPATE IN POLITICS IS URGED.
Abstract
WHILE AGREEING THAT ON DUTY OFFICERS SHOULD NOT PARTICIPATE IN PARTISAN ACTIVITIES, THE AUTHOR ARGUES THAT OFFICERS SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO SEEK POLITICAL OFFICES WHICH WOULD NOT CONFLICT WITH THEIR POLICE DUTIES AND TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ACTIVITIES OF PARTISAN POLITICAL CLUBS AND SIMILAR ORGANIZATIONS. THE HISTORICAL REASONS FOR IMPOSING THESE POLITICAL RESTRICTIONS ARE REVIEWED. ACTIONS OF THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF POLICE CHIEFS (IACP) TO END THESE RESTRICTIONS ARE DESCRIBED. AMONG THESE ACTIONS ARE THE FORMATION OF THE 'INTERESTED COMMITTEE FOR POLITICAL ACTION', THE PREPARATION OF A MANUAL WHICH SETS OUT A TWO-YEAR TIMETABLE FOR POLITICAL ACTIVITY, AND TESTIMONY BEFORE CONGRESSIONAL HEARINGS REGARDING PROPOSED LEGISLATION TO AMEND THE HATCH ACT WHICH PROHIBITS THE USE OF PUBLIC EMPLOYEES BY POLITICAL ORGANIZATIONS.