NCJ Number
171100
Journal
Policing Volume: 20 Issue: 3 Dated: (1997) Pages: 481-496
Date Published
1997
Length
16 pages
Annotation
The approaches that States used during 1985-95 to decertify police officers as a result of their misconduct were studied.
Abstract
The research used the authors' 1985 study of decertification laws, plus information collected by means of LEXIS searches of State laws and regulations and the use of pocket parts of State statute books. In addition, 20 telephone interviews were conducted with officials of the Peace Officers' Standards and Training Commission (POST) in 15 States to clarify the meaning or implications of changes during the last 10 years. Five of the interviews were conducted in States that had no revocation authority to determine any movement toward decertification and if the rationale for no revocation had remained the same or had changed. Results revealed that States made a substantial movement to increase their level of decertification authority. Thirty States had broad decertification authority; nine other States had some authority. Changes included qualified immunity for police chiefs' reporting to their POST, moving decertification from regulations to statutes, increasing the number of provisions for revocation, and more stringent departmental reporting requirements. Most States without revocation either had strong police unions, strong civil service systems, or strong sheriffs' associations. Further research should determine whether decertification is an effective means of controlling police misconduct. In addition, a national reporting mechanism for police misconduct might overcome States' unwillingness to establish decertification prevent movement among States by police officers who have engaged in misconduct. Tables, notes, and list of 8 further readings