POLICE ISOLATION AND COMMUNITY NEEDS - A REPORT OF WISCONSIN STATE COMMITTEE TO THE UNITED STATES COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS

• NCJ Number: 17297
• Author(s): T L NEUMANN; M TOWLES
• Date Published: 1972
• Length: 164 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: US Cmssn on Civil Rights
• Corporate Author: US Cmssn on Civil Rights
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THIS REPORT RAISES THE ISSUE THAT THE TENURE OF THE CHIEF OF POLICE OF MILWAUKEE AND THE LACK OF LEGISLATION REQUIRING ACCOUNTABILITY TO THE COMMUNITY BY THE POLICE ADVERSELY AFFECTS THE QUALITY OF POLICE SERVICES.

Abstract

THE AUTHORS CONTEND THAT THE CHIEF OF POLICE AND HIS DEPARTMENT IS UNRESPONSIVE TO COMMUNITY NEEDS IN THAT: HE REFUSES TO ESTABLISH A COMMUNITY RELATIONS DEPARTMENT BECAUSE THAT SORT OF WORK IS PERFORMED BY EACH OFFICER EVERYDAY IN THE COURSE OF HIS DUTIES; HE REFUSES TO DIVULGE INFORMATION ON SOME ASPECTS OF DEPARTMENTAL ACTIVITIES; AND, MINORITY EMPLOYMENT IS BELOW AN ACCEPTABLE LEVEL. THE PRESENT DAY STRATIFIED, CONSERVATIVE DEPARTMENTAL OUTLOOK IS BLAMED ON THE MINIMUM HEIGHT REQUIREMENT OF 5 FEET 8 INCHES AND ON THE LACK OF LATERAL ENTRY TO THE FORCE. EVERY MEMBER OF THE MILWUAKEE POLICE DEPARTMENT GETS HIS START AS A PATROLMAN WHICH TENDS TO PERPETUATE EDUCATIONAL AND MINORITY INSUFFICIENCIES. THE REPORT CONCLUDES BY MAKING RECOMMENDATIONS TO DECREASE THE ISOLATION OF THE POLICE FROM PUBLIC SCRUTINY AND TO INCREASE THEIR RESPONSIVENESS TO PUBLIC NEED.