RESIDENCY LAWS - SHOULD POLICE BE FREE TO LIVE WHERE THEY CHOOSE?

• NCJ Number: 53294
• Journal: Police Magazine Volume: 2 Issue: 1 Dated: (JANUARY 1979) Pages: 62-65
• Author(s): A CHASE
• Date Published: 1979
• Length: 4 pages
• Corporate Author: Criminal Justice Publications, Inc
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

TRENDS TOWARD REQUIRING POLICE OFFICERS TO RESIDE IN AREAS WHERE THEY WORK ARE REVIEWED, AND CONFRONTATIONS BETWEEN POLICE UNIONS AND CITY GOVERNMENTS REGARDING RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS IN CITIES ARE DISCUSSED.

Abstract

MANY POLICE DEPARTMENTS EMPLOY PERSONNEL WHO LIVE OUT OT TOWN. ESTIMATES RANGE FROM 30 PERCENT IN BALTIMORE, MD., TO 80 PERCENT IN WASHINGTON, D.C. MANY CITIES HAVE ENACTED OR ARE ATTEMPTING TO ENACT RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS FOR CITY WORKERS, WITH CITY OFFICIALS VIEWING THE EXODUS OF POLICE OFFICERS TO THE SUBURBS AS A FORM OF DESERTION BY THOSE WHO ARE SUPPOSED TO PROTECT CITIES FROM PROBLEMS THEY ARE LEAVING BEHIND. THOSE WHO BELIEVE POLICE OFFICIERS SHOULD LIVE WHERE THEY WORK SAY THAT POLICE OFFICERS ARE MOST APT TO BE ATTENTIVE TO THE PROBLEMS OF CITY RESIDENTS IF THEIR OWN FAMILIES HAVE A STAKE IN THOSE PROBLEMS. POLICE ORGANIZATIONS ARE GENERALLY OPPOSED TO RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS WHICH EMERGED IN 1976 WHEN THE SUPREME COURT DECIDED THAT SUCH REQUIREMENTS ARE CONSTITUTIONAL. BATTLES BETWEEN POLICE UNIONS AND CITY GOVERNMENTS HAVE OCCURRED AND, IN SOME CASES, POLICE UNIONS HAVE APPEALED TO STATE LEGISLATURE TO BLOCK RESIDENCY LAWS. IN SPITE OF THE SUPREME COURT RULING, STATE LEGISLATURES IN NEW YORK, GEORGIA, NEW JERSEY, AND MASSACHUSETTS HAVE PASSED LAWS AGAINST RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS. CALIFORNIA, MARYLAND, AND MISSOURI HAVE PASSED LEGISLATION FAVORABLE TO RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS; E.G. THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MD., POLICE DEPARTMENT ALLOWS PATROL OFFICERS WHO LIVE IN THE COUNTY TO USE THEIR PATROL CARS WHEN OFF DUTY AND THE UNIVERSITY CITY, MO., POLICE DEPARTMENT ADDS $60 A MONTH TO PAYCHECKS OF OFFICERS WHO LIVE IN THE CITY. LITTLE SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE IS AVAILABLE ON THE ISSUE OF WHETHER POLICE OFFICERS ARE MORE EFFECTIVE IF THEY LIVE IN THE COMMUNITY WHERE THEY WORK. POLICE OFFICERS' REASONS FOR LEAVING CITIES INCLUDE HOUSING COSTS, INFERIOR EDUCATION, SAFETY, AND HAVING A SENSE OF PRIVACY. (DEP)