NCJ Number
6252
Journal
Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency Volume: 7 Issue: 2 Dated: (JULY 1970) Pages: 120-156
Date Published
1970
Length
37 pages
Annotation
POLICEMEN'S RESPONSES TO A QUESTIONNAIRE GIVEN AFTER THE 1968 CHICAGO RIOTS REVEAL EXTENSIVE DIVISION OF OPINION ABOUT MAJOR POLICY ISSUES AND NATURE OF THEIR DEPARTMENT.
Abstract
POLICE DEPARTMENTS ARE USUALLY VIEWED AS MONOLITHIC INSTITUTIONS, AND THE ATTITUDE OF POLICEMEN TOWARD THE FUNCTION OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT IN SOCIETY IS OFTEN DESCRIBED AS AUTHORITARIAN. THE LATTER DESCRIPTION IS CHALLENGED IN THIS REPORT. DURING THE RIOTS WHICH FOLLOWED THE ASSASSINATION OF DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR., ON THURSDAY, APRIL 4, 1968, THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT ATTEMPTED TO MOBILIZE SUFFICIENT MANPOWER TO QUELL DISTURBANCES IN THE CITY'S BLACK COMMUNITIES. THE PARTIAL SUCCESS OF THIS ATTEMPT IS DESCRIBED IN DETAIL IN ORDER TO ESTABLISH A BACKGROUND FOR THE DISCUSSION OF POLICE ATTITUDES TOWARD POLICE AND RIOT ACTIVITY DURING THE PERIOD WHICH FOLLOWED DR. KING'S DEATH. THE PRESSURE OF SERVICE DURING THE RIOT CAUSED MANY POLICEMEN TO FORM DEFINITE OPINIONS. THE DIVERGENCE OF THESE OPINIONS DOES MUCH TO DISPEL THE MYTH OF A POLICE MONOLITH. THE QUESTIONNAIRE USED IS REPRODUCED AND THE RESULTS ARE PRESENTED IN TABULAR FORM. AUTHOR ABSTRACT