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Evaluating Citizen Oversight of Police

NCJ Number
221402
Author(s)
Brenda A. Buren
Date Published
2007
Length
237 pages
Annotation
Results are presented from an evaluative study of the Tempe Citizens’ Panel for Review of Police Complaints and Use of Force, a citizen oversight panel established by the Tempe, AZ Police Department.
Abstract
The general conclusion of this evaluation of the Tempe Citizens’ Panel for Review of Police Complaints and Use of Force is that, to date, the system is working well due to the integrity of the individuals involved and their desire for the citizen oversight system to affect positive change in the police department and the community. However, several structural and administrative weaknesses need to be addressed to provide more stability and legitimacy to the process. The citizen oversight system needs to continue to evolve and take advantage of the trust that has been developed between police department representatives and citizen panel members to institutionalize the oversight system and ensure its continued existence. Recommendations for improvement are presented in the areas of who participates, what participation entails, and promoting participation within the citizen oversight system. This study focused on citizen oversight in Tempe, AZ. It examined the settings, processes, resources, stakeholders, and delivery mechanisms associated with the Tempe Citizens’ Panel for Review of Police Complaints and Use of Force to provide a framework from which to evaluate citizen oversight in Tempe. The expectations of this study were that the Tempe panel would prove to be worthwhile, although several areas would be identified for improvement. Appendixes A-H, references and index