Abstract
Researchers have argued that the creation of citizen oversight often involves debate between those that support its use and the police which do not. Police unions, for example, have a long history of objecting to the creation of oversight, especially during collective bargaining. Minority demands for police reform, on the other hand, can lend support for its implementation, especially after a highly publicized case of misconduct between the police and minority citizens. Using a retrospective approach, this study examined the extent to which these opposing forces influenced the existence of oversight. Findings suggest that departments that engage in collective bargaining were no more likely to use an oversight agency than departments that did not engage in collective bargaining. Cities with large percentages of African Americans, however, were more likely to have an existing oversight agency.
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Notes
As defined by Palmiotto [2001] police misconduct is an act of wrongdoing that can be criminal, non-criminal, unethical, immoral, or a violation departmental policy. Specific incidents include but are not limited to violation of civil right, corruption, the commission of a crime, and excessive use of force.
Also referred to as civilian review, citizen review, citizen oversight, civilian review boards, citizen review boards, and external oversight.
Respondents in Weitzer and Tuch’s [45] study were not asked about citizen oversight.
Because this study was retrospective and utilized municipal level data, the data did not provide a direct measure of minority support for citizen oversight.
The causal pattern of complaint rates against police can be questioned. Rather than a high complaint rate causing citizen demand for oversight, external review of allegations against officers could actually increase complaints as citizens learn about the new process and trust increases.
It should be noted that in Weitzer and Tuch’s [46] study, the group-position thesis stood out, even after controlling for media exposure.
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Wilson, S., Buckler, K. The Debate over Police Reform: Examining Minority Support for Citizen Oversight and Resistance by Police Unions. Am J Crim Just 35, 184–197 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12103-010-9079-x
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12103-010-9079-x