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EFFECTIVENESS OF CIVILIAN REVIEW: OBSERVATIONS ON RECENT TRENDS AND NEW ISSUES REGARDING THE CIVILIAN REVIEW OF THE POLICE

NCJ Number
143033
Journal
American Journal of Police Volume: 11 Issue: 4 Dated: (1992) Pages: 1-16
Author(s)
S Walker; V W Bumphus
Date Published
1992
Length
16 pages
Annotation
A spring 1991 survey of recent developments in the area of civilian review found some form of civilian review in police departments of 30 of the 50 Nation's largest cities.
Abstract
Civilian review procedures were adopted in four additional cities between April 1991 and October 1992 which brings the total to 34 or 68 percent. The survey also found an accelerating trend toward civilian review. Several features emerged as common to all existing civilian review procedures: none have the power to impose discipline on a police officer and can only make recommendations to the police chief executive; and 26 of the 30 procedures identified in 1991 were established by municipal ordinance or State statute. Future research on civilian review needs to at least explain the recent growth of the phenomenon and to develop more detailed comparative data. 10 notes and 60 references