NCJ Number
166677
Journal
American Journal of Police Volume: 15 Issue: 3 Dated: (1996) Pages: 65-88
Date Published
1996
Length
24 pages
Annotation
Citizen review of complaints against police officers has emerged as an important new aspect of policing, and rapid growth in such complaints has produced wide variations among police procedures regarding mission, structure, and operation.
Abstract
Citizen review is defined as a procedure for handling citizen complaints about police officer misconduct. Citizen review of complaints against police officers was studied by obtaining documents on 65 citizen review procedures. Results showed citizens conducted initial fact-finding investigations in 34 percent of all citizen review procedures, provided input in 46 percent, and had a monitoring or auditing role in 20 percent. Although citizen review developed as a mechanism for achieving police accountability, 17 percent of citizen review procedures had jurisdiction over complaints against other public employees as well. Citizen review procedures differed significantly in terms of formal organizational structure. About 85 percent involved a multi-member board, while 15 percent were administrative agencies with a single executive director. Citizen review procedures also differed with respect to operating policies, and many were based on a criminal trial model of complaint investigation. The criminal trial model represented a strategy for achieving independent and thorough review of complaints. Further research on citizen review of complaints against police officers is recommended. 78 references, 7 notes, and 1 table