NCJ Number
85981
Date Published
1981
Length
157 pages
Annotation
This analysis of police-citizen relations in Oklahoma focuses on such areas as the abuse of authority by the police, the excessive use of force, and the discriminatory handling of minority group members and recommends several specific measures to deal with these problems.
Abstract
While citizen complaints of abuse by law enforcement officers in Oklahoma have been increasing over the last few years, the criminal justice system is perceived by many as being either incapable or unwilling to investigate abuse complaints adequately and impartially. Specific events have included a civil disturbance in Idabel, alleged police brutality and harassment in several towns, civil judgments against police officers for violations of civil rights, and alleged police misconduct and involvement in illegal activities in several communities across the State. Interviews with citizen leaders and criminal justice system professionals across the State have indicated the existence of three categories of problems: excessive force, grievance procedures, and such human relations factors as cultural awareness and jurisdiction in Indian Trust land. To improve relations between police and citizens, it is recommended that police departments create effective police-community liaison functions which go beyond public relations efforts and that police officers be trained in dealing with cultural, linguistic, and behavioral differences. It is also recommended that the Office of the Attorney General and the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation assume jurisdiction in the investigation and prosecution of serious cases of police misconduct and that the legislature provide for the indemnification of police officers throughout the State. Programs to deal with police officer stress and to develop citizen advisory groups are also recommended. Appendixes presenting background information and 85 footnotes are included.