NCJ Number
53094
Date Published
1975
Length
71 pages
Annotation
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE BLACK COMMUNITY AND THE OFFICE OF THE SHERIFF (OS) IN JACKSONVILLE, FLA., IS EXAMINED IN A REPORT BY THE FLORIDA ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO THE U.S. COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS.
Abstract
THE REPORT IS BASED ON THE COMMITTEE'S INVESTIGATION OF OS PERSONNEL RECRUITMENT AND PROMOTION PRACTICES AND COMPLAINT-PROCESSING PROCEDURES. THE INVESTIGATION INCLUDED AN OPEN MEETING HELD IN MARCH 1974 AND WAS PART OF THE COMMITTEE'S STUDY OF POLICE-COMMUNITY RELATIONS IN THREE FLORIDA CITIES. THE BACKGROUND AND STATUS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AND RACE RELATIONS IN JACKSONVILLE ARE DESCRIBED, TOGETHER WITH OS RECRUITMENT AND PROMOTION PRACTICES, COMPLAINT PROCESSING, PUBLIC RELATIONS TRAINING, AND ASSIGNMENT PRACTICES. FAILURE OF THE OS TO RESPOND TO SEVERAL COMMUNITY APPEALS FOR A DIALOGUE BETWEEN POLICE AND BLACK CITIZENS, FOR REVISED COMPLAINT PROCEDURES AND IMPROVED CONDUCT OF OFFICERS TOWARD MINORITY CITIZENS, AND FOR INCREASES IN THE NUMBER OF BLACKS ON THE FORCE AND IN COMMAND POSITIONS IS NOTED. SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS ARE PRESENTED RELATIVE TO INCREASING THE NUMBER OF MINORITY AND FEMALE OFFICERS ON THE FORCE, ELIMINATING DISCRIMINATORY RECRUITMENT AND PROMOTIONAL PRACTICES, AND INTRODUCING A PROGRAM OF INSERVICE TRAINING IN HUMAN RELATIONS. OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS RELATE TO INCREASING PERSONAL CONTACT BETWEEN POLICE AND THE PUBLIC BY USING FOOT PATROLS IN MINORITY COMMUNITIES, ELIMINATING DISCRIMINATORY PATROL CAR ASSIGNMENT PRACTICES, MAKING MORE EFFECTIVE USE OF THE OS COMMUNITY RELATIONS DIVISION, AND REVISING COMPLAINT-HANDLING PROCEDURES TO MAKE THEM PUBLIC. IT IS FURTHER RECOMMENDED THAT LEAA WITHHOLD FUNDING FROM THE OS UNTIL THE OFFICE IMPLEMENTS AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION PLAN. SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION IS PROVIDED. (LKM)