NCJ Number
2702
Journal
Police Chief Dated: (JANUARY 1971) Pages: 34,35,& 41-44
Date Published
1971
Length
6 pages
Annotation
THE TREND TOWARD VIOLENT ATTACKS ON POLICE OFFICERS IS DISCUSSED; SUGGESTED WAYS OF CONTROLLING THIS VIOLENCE ARE OUTLINED.
Abstract
DUE TO THE INCREASE OF ATTACKS DIRECTED AGAINST POLICE OFFICERS, AND BECAUSE INACCURATE DATA WERE BEING KEPT ON THESE INCIDENTS, A NATIONAL BOMB DATA CENTER AND A POLICE WEAPONS CENTER WERE ESTABLISHED. THE CENTERS BEGAN OPERATION IN JULY 1970; THEY COLLECT INFORMATION REGARDING THE NUMBER OF ATTACKS ON, AND RESULTANT DEATHS OF, POLICE. THEY ALSO GATHER INFORMATION ON INCIDENTS IN WHICH EXPLOSIVE AND INCENDIARY DEVICES ARE USED. MANY ATTACKS ON POLICE OFFICERS ARE MADE BECAUSE THE OFFICER IS THE MOST VISIBLE REPRESENTATIVE OF AUTHORITY IN SOCIETY. THE ATTITUDE OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE HAS CHANGED FROM ONE OF SUPPORT OF POLICE WORK TO ONE OF INTERFERENCE WITH THEIR DUTIES, SOMETIMES IN A VIOLENT MANNER. MORE DISTURBING, HOWEVER, IS THE TREND TOWARD TERRORIST ATTACKS DIRECTED AT POLICE OFFICERS WITHOUT PROVOCATION. IN CASES OF STUDENT RIOTS AND POLITICAL PROTESTS, THE SUGGESTION IS FREQUENTLY MADE THAT RIOT, ASSAULT, AND ROBBERY BE VIEWED AS POLITICAL RATHER THAN CRIMINAL ACTS. THIS IS NOT REASONABLE. IT MUST BE REALIZED THAT DISSENT, WHILE A NECESSARY RIGHT, MUST BE CONDUCTED WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE LAW. THERE HAVE BEEN INCIDENTS WHERE POLICE HAVE BEEN ACCUSED OF CAUSING CIVIL UNREST WHILE ENFORCING THE LAW. A POLICE OFFICER SHOULD NOT BE CHARGED WITH THE RESPONSIBILITY OF MAINTAINING PEACE AND ORDER ON THE ONE HAND AND YET BE BLAMED WHEN CERTAIN MEMBERS OF SOCIETY BREAK THE LAW AND CAUSE DISORDER. RECOMMENDATIONS ARE MADE FOR IMPROVING THE SITUATION: (1) THE NATION'S PRESS SHOULD ADOPT A MORE RESTRAINED ATTITUDE IN HANDLING VIOLENCE IN THE NEWS MEDIA; (2) THE TIME LAPSE BETWEEN THE COMMISSON OF AN OFFENSE AND THE TIME THE CASE GOES TO TRIAL SHOULD BE REDUCED; AND (3) LEGISLATION SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED WHICH WOULD MAKE AN ATTACK ON A POLICE OFFICER A MORE SERIOUS OFFENSE, POSSIBLY A FEDERAL CRIME. THE NEED FOR BETTER GUN CONTROL LEGISLATION IS EMPHASIZED, AS STIFFER GUN CONTROL LAWS WOULD RESULT IN FEWER FIREARMS AVAILABLE TO BE USED IN INCIDENTS OF CIVIL DISORDER AND HOMICIDE. SUCH LEGISLATION WOULD MAKE POLICE WORK SAFER. (DAG)