NCJ Number
66445
Journal
POLICE ASSOCIATION VICTORIA Volume: 47 Issue: 24 Dated: (FEBRUARY 1978) Pages: 53,55,57,59,61,63,65,67
Date Published
1978
Length
8 pages
Annotation
THIS ESSAY ANALYZES THE HISTORY OF THE POLICE LABOR MOVEMENT IN AUSTRALIA, THE U.S., CANADA, AND ENGLAND AND MEASURES ITS POTENTIAL THREAT TO POLITICAL ORDER.
Abstract
REVIEWS OF LEGISLATION SHOW THAT IN 1978 POLICE STRIKES WERE ILLEGAL IN AUSTRALIA, ENGLAND, AND 26 AMERICAN STATES. DETAILS ARE PRESENTED ON POLICE STRIKES IN LONDON (1918 AND 1919), LIVERPOOL AND BIRKENHEAD (1919), BOSTON (1919), VICTORIA (1923), MONTREAL (1969), AND SAN FRANCISCO (1975), WHICH LED TO DEATHS, VANDALISM AND LOOTING, LOSS OF JOBS, AND LARGE MONETARY LOSSES. LONDON AND BOSTON POLICE LOST THEIR RIGHT TO AFFILIATE IN UNIONS. THE POLICE LABOR MOVEMENT ROSE JUST AFTER WORLD WAR II, AND POLICE ASSOCIATIONS AND UNIONS HAVE ENTERED THE POLITICAL ARENA BY LOBBYING AND SUPPORTING THE CANDIDATE MOST SUITED TO THEIR NEEDS. IN CLEVELAND DURING THE 1969 MAYORAL CAMPAIGN, FOR INSTANCE, THE CHAPTER OF THE FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE BOUGHT NEWSPAPER SPACE TO PUBLISH OPEN LETTERS QUESTIONING LAW ENFORCEMENT POLICIES OF MAYOR CARL STOKES. BY EXPLOITING THE PUBLIC'S FEAR OF CRIME, POLICE ARE ABLE TO MANIPULATE OR DIRECT THE PUBLIC TO BRING ABOUT THE POLITICAL CONDITIONS THEY DESIRE. SUCH MANIPULATIONS CAN BE A THREAT TO AN ORDERED SOCIETY. IT IS AN ACCEPTED PART OF AMERICAN POLITICS THAT THE SUPPORT OF A CANDIDATE WHO IS ELECTED IS RETURNED BY THE GRANTING OF A FAVOR BY THE ELECTED CANDIDATE AT SOME FUTURE DATE. IN SUCH CIRCUMSTANCES THE AMERICAN POLICE AGENCIES ARE IN A STRONG POSITION TO GAIN THEIR OWN ENDS. PROVIDED THESE ENDS ARE CONFINED TO WAGES, CONDITIONS, AND POLICY MATTERS, THE USE OF THIS POWER WILL BE REASONABLY HARMLESS, BUT TO USE IT TO CHANGE THE LAWS TO SUIT THEMSELVES COULD LEAD TO A POLICE STATE. REFERENCES AND A BIBLIOGRAPHY ARE INCLUDED. (JLF)