Police Misconduct and the Impact of the War on Drugs

Dwyer reading emphasis

Quotas for narcotics arrests as a significant cause of police corruption.

Criticism of ethics training

It lacks effectiveness unless paired with accountability measures.

Severe misconduct endangering public safety

A situation most likely to result in an officer breaking the code of silence.

Percentage of complaints against officers

Approximately 75% of complaints were internally generated according to the Houston study.

Corruption-related brutality

A form of police brutality characterized by the motive of financial gain.

Street justice

The primary motive is to teach a suspect a lesson.

Minor corruption

Corruption involving minor acts like accepting small gratuities.

Narcotics units vulnerability

They are particularly vulnerable to serious corruption due to increased exposure to cash and drugs.

Pathway into serious corrupt behavior

Gradual escalation from minor offenses is the most common pathway according to Sauer.

Code of silence

A cultural norm within police that discourages reporting misconduct.

Recommended recruitment group

Women, minorities, and older officers are recommended to reduce police misconduct.

Criminal justice students vs police officers

Criminal justice students are more likely to view lying as unethical.

Police response to DWI

Officers are likely to drive the officer home instead of making an arrest.

Downside of accepting gratuities

It can create a sense of entitlement.

Noble cause corruption

It is unethical because it undermines the rule of law.

Street justice definition

Involves officers punishing offenders directly, bypassing the legal process.

Civilian oversight limitation

Absence of subpoena power is a common limitation faced by civilian oversight groups.

Role of federal authorities

They conduct 'pattern and practice' investigations on systemic misconduct.

Wandering cops

Officers dismissed for misconduct who are rehired by other departments.

Sealed separation agreements

They contribute to the 'wandering cops' problem by making misconduct records confidential.

National Decertification Index (NDI)

A reform intended to help prevent the rehiring of officers with histories of misconduct.

Mollen and Christopher Commissions conclusion

Top command often avoided scandal by failing to address misconduct.

Civil lawsuits accountability issue

Officers are protected by qualified immunity.

Settlement costs responsibility

The local government is usually responsible for paying the costs of settlements.

Qualified immunity

A legal doctrine that shields officers from personal liability in civil litigation unless they violate 'clearly established' rights.

Internal Affairs observation tactic

Field associates are used to observe police conduct directly in the field.

Integrity tests

Scenarios set up to test officers' ethical responses.

E.D.I.T. Program

A tactic involving advanced testing to assess an officer's integrity in high-risk scenarios.

Standard of proof in civil lawsuits

Preponderance of the evidence is required.

Mandatory reporting rules purpose

To require officers to report observed misconduct among colleagues.

Prosecutors' reluctance to charge officers

Sympathetic judges and juries are a reason for this reluctance.

Obstacle to effective civilian oversight

Civilian oversight groups often lack the resources to conduct investigations.

New Jersey Supreme Court ruling

Weakened Newark's civilian review board by ruling that the board's subpoena power interfered with police authority.

Sondel article pattern

Specific officers frequently have repeated complaints against them.

Denver's early warning system issue

Arbitrary thresholds and lack of follow-up limited its effectiveness.

Purpose of arbitration in police discipline

It allows officers to appeal disciplinary actions without court involvement.

Arbitrators' bias in police discipline

Concern over job security if they rule in favor of the officer.

Pattern in arbitration rulings

Disciplinary actions are often overturned, reinstating the officer.

Problem-oriented policing (POP)

Focusing on resolving specific issues that lead to crime and disorder.

Primary focus of police in POP

Recurring problems affecting community quality of life.

Example of POP initiative

Collaborative initiatives addressing homelessness in Eureka, California.

Common POP strategy

Nuisance abatement, addressing issues like drug activity or noise.

Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy (CAPS)

Best categorized as community policing.

Neighborhood Watch program

Represents community policing.

Police officers' reluctance to adopt community policing

Concerns that it dilutes the enforcement-oriented role of law enforcement.

Resource co-optation issue in community policing

Police resources are controlled by external agencies.

Exclusion in community policing organizations

Low-income residents are most likely to be excluded from participating.

Positive outcome of community policing

Improved community attitudes toward police.

More effective anti-crime strategy

Problem-oriented policing (POP) is more effective according to research.

Impact of community policing on complaints

Complaints decreased as observed in the Houston study.

Effect of Chicago's community policing on Black residents

Less positive attitudes toward the police compared to White residents.

Co-production in community policing

Police and community members working together to prevent crime.

Reorientation of patrol

Involves assigning officers to consistent 'beats' for long-term engagement in specific neighborhoods.

Goal of decentralizing command in community policing

To enhance community engagement and responsiveness.

Decentralizing command in community policing

Allowing officers to make decisions at the neighborhood level

SARA model - Scanning step

Identifying specific problems within the community

SARA model - Analysis step

Gathering information on the causes of a community problem

SARA model - Response stage

Developing targeted solutions for the identified problem

SARA model - Assessment step

Evaluating the effectiveness of implemented solutions

Watts riots

An event in the 1960s that contributed to the creation of SWAT teams and the early stages of police militarization

1033 Program

A program that allowed police departments to acquire surplus military equipment during the War on Drugs

9/11 attacks

An event after which police militarization significantly expanded due to concerns about terrorism

Rationale for military equipment in rural police departments

Availability of federal funding and ease of access to equipment

Tom Nolan's critique of militarized policing

It encourages viewing civilians as 'enemies.'

Police military-style boot camps lesson

Rigid obedience and discipline-based punishment

Impact of militarized police uniforms

They draw in recruits who prioritize control and aggression

Police response to George Floyd protests

Viewing civilians as combatants rather than protesters

Advantage of hiring ex-military personnel

Familiarity with teamwork and high-pressure situations

Radley Balko's response to militarization claims

He contends that claims of heavily armed criminals are largely exaggerated.

Common target of SWAT raids

Drug-related search warrants due to perceived high-risk nature of drug crimes

John Oliver's downside of militarized policing

It fosters an 'us vs. them' mentality between police and civilians

Military-grade equipment impact on police mindset

It encourages a shift to a battlefield mindset

Consequence of military-style equipment during protests

It increases the likelihood of unnecessary force escalation

Concerns of police militarization in tense communities

It may deepen existing racial and social divides

Dehumanizing impact of militarization

By highlighting incidents of officers using dehumanizing language toward protesters

Alternative focus for police departments suggested by John Oliver

Shifting focus toward community relationship-building

St. Louis police chief's justification for armored vehicles

He argues they protect officers in potentially violent situations

Increased focus on drug enforcement in the 1980s

As a response to the rise of crack cocaine and its social impact

Major shift in policy during the War on Drugs

Increased funding for drug law enforcement and crackdowns on drug trafficking

Resource requirement for drug arrests

Drug transactions are hidden, requiring undercover work and surveillance

Tennessee task force primary priority

Focusing on stopping drugs from entering schools

Reason for War on Drugs failure according to John Stossel

It increased incarceration rates without reducing drug availability

Detroit Chief of Police's anti-drug strategy

Focusing on high-level traffickers and organized crime

Percentage of seized assets police departments could keep

80%

Change to asset forfeiture laws in 2000

Governments had to sue to seize assets, and property owners could recover some legal costs

Criminal conviction requirement for asset seizure

No, asset seizure can occur without any charges

Purpose of the '1-strike rule' in drug enforcement

Eviction from public housing for tenants convicted of drug crimes

Use of mandatory minimums in the War on Drugs

To impose strict, fixed penalties on certain drug offenses

Purpose of 'drug-free zones'

To increase penalties for drug crimes committed near schools or parks

Moskos' argument about Baltimore's zero tolerance

Baltimore police exercise discretion, often ignoring minor drug offenses

Focus of Baltimore police officers on drug arrests

Drug arrests provide a sense of control and visible presence in the community

Impact of major drug busts on overdoses

Disrupted supply chains lead users to turn to new, potentially dangerous sources

Impact of the War on Drugs on drug availability and abuse rates

Drug availability and abuse rates remain high, indicating limited success

New approach to drug policing emphasized in the Zezima reading

Treating drug abuse as a public health issue with harm reduction strategies

New focus for police in assisting children affected by the opioid crisis

Offering therapy and connecting them to social services

Obstacle to implementing new harm reduction strategies

Budget constraints and entrenched law enforcement practices

Nature of new approaches to drug policing

Part of a broader shift toward health-focused policing

Major critique of broken windows policing according to Childress

It disproportionately targets minor offenses in minority communities

Connection of Eric Garner case to broken windows policing

Garner's arrest for selling loose cigarettes highlights how minor offenses can escalate under broken windows policing

Commonly targeted 'quality-of-life' offenses in NYC under broken windows policing

Public drinking, loitering, and disorderly conduct