NCJ Number
85432
Journal
Journal of Law and Society Volume: 9 Issue: 1 Dated: (Summer 1982) Pages: 87-102
Date Published
1982
Length
16 pages
Annotation
This study examines patterns of racism in a London magistrates' court and considers the Scarman report, which deals with allegations of racism, most notably through proposals for community policing.
Abstract
A 1978 study of a south London court suggests that the police are more proactive in seeking out law violations by blacks than they are in charging whites. The existence of such a widespread consistent pattern in dealing with blacks suggests institutionalized racism. Results also suggest the possibility of institutionalized and hidden racism among court officials. The Scarman report seeks to deal with institutionalized racism in policing by recommending the penetration of police stations by members of police committees, the establishment of an independent complaints procedure, improved police training at all levels, and the opening up of a major debate about community policing. Community policing involves the establishment of a police authority which will include representatives from the community to be a directive power over the policy and practices of policing in the community. This authority would make possible an analysis of police practices by community representatives as well as by police so that patterns of racism as experienced by members of the community could be identified and acted upon. Biased uses of discretion in law enforcement could be uncovered and changed. Forty-eight notes and references are listed.