NCJ Number
137591
Journal
American Journal of Police Volume: 11 Issue: 1 Dated: (1992) Pages: 1-16
Date Published
1992
Length
16 pages
Annotation
The nature, degree, and impact of political interference on police chiefs by public and private officials was studied by means of a questionnaire survey of police chiefs in Kentucky.
Abstract
The 277 questionnaires were mailed in November 1989 and received 115 responses. The survey contained questions about both the current police chiefs and their predecessors. Results revealed that 21 percent of the current police chiefs received pressure from their mayors, 22 percent from city council members, and 10 percent from business leaders regarding personnel decisions. In addition, 28 percent reported pressure from the mayor, 29 percent reported pressure from city council members, and 6 percent reported pressure from business leaders regarding arrest or enforcement decisions. Police chiefs were also often asked to provide unusual or special services. They also perceived that 4 percent of their predecessors left their positions as a result of political pressure, and an additional 9 percent were demoted. Findings indicated that Kentucky police chiefs must cope with varying levels of political pressures and interference, some legitimate and some illegitimate, which remove a large degree of management discretion from police administrators. Tables, note, and 24 references