NCJ Number
206923
Journal
Law and Order Volume: 52 Issue: 8 Dated: August 2004 Pages: 82,84-86,88,90
Date Published
August 2004
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This article intends to help police executives better understand officer sexual misconduct and to guide them in preventing and responding effectively to this problem.
Abstract
Members of the command staff must clearly indicate that sexual misconduct will not be tolerated and that should such allegations be made against an officer, they will be thoroughly investigated and fairly adjudicated, with appropriate discipline rendered should the allegations be confirmed. The first step in responding effectively to complaints of officer sexual misconduct is the development of a comprehensive written policy that clearly specifies the process for reporting and investigating such allegations. In addition, the written policy should set timelines for completing the investigation and notifying the parties promptly, as well as characterize the types of complaints that will be handled by an immediate supervisor or forwarded to the specialized unit or internal affairs. Other topics that should be addressed in the written policy are how the agency will respond to anonymous complaints and guidelines for confidentiality. Specific sections of this article are devoted to the protection of confidentiality, the designation of specialized investigators, documentation of the investigative process and its findings, the making of appropriate decisions for the disposition of a complaint of sexual misconduct, imposing appropriate discipline, and collecting and reporting data. Regarding the latter issue, the article advises that an agency should regularly collect and report data on the number and types of complaints, so as to determine the extent of the problem and detect trends in officer behavior. Police executives must monitor the handling of such complaints to ensure that they are properly and uniformly handled.