Police Misconduct

A Guide to Selected Government Information Available at WIU's Government Publications Library

(Prepared by Doug Ellerman - 10/99; revised 2/00)

Web version of this guide includes links to web resources.

Federal Government Information

Use of Force By Police: Overview of National and Local Data

This report summarizes current research on police use of force and educates on the extent and nature of it. Updates on two national projects are given and future directions are considered. 1999
J 28.24/3:P 75/10

"Liability Implications of Department Policy Violations"

This article discusses what a police officer may be liable for if he or she breaks a specific police policy. 1997
FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin. April 1997 V. 66 n. 4 pp. 27-33
J 1.14/8:66/4

"Broken Windows" and Police Discretion

This research report examines community prejudice towards police as well as police accountability. It attempts to help officers think through the work that they do in an effort to establish guidelines for properly making arrests. 1999
J 28.24/3:P 75/9

Department of the Treasury Report of the Good O' Boys Roundup Policy Review

This report presents the Treasury's findings regarding the alleged racial misconduct of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms agents and other law enforcement personnel at an annual retreat in Tennessee in 1995. 1996
T 1.2:B 69

Federal Law Enforcement and the Good O' Boys Roundup

This hearing examines the alleged participation and misconduct of certain federal law enforcement officers in Tennessee. 1995
Y4.J89/2: S.HRG 104-769

A Global Forum on Fighting Corruption: Safeguarding Integrity Among Justice and Security Officials

A meeting between Al Gore and representatives of 90 governments across the world resulted in these guiding principals to promote public trust in the integrity of public officials. 1999
S 1.2:C 81

Ensuring Officer Integrity and Accountability: Recent Court Decisions

This article discusses court misconduct cases and an officer's Due Process and Fifth Amendment rights. 1998
FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin. August 1998. Vol. 67 No. 8 pp. 28-33
J 1.14/8:67/8

Police Use of Force: Collection of National Data.

This website gives the results of over 6,000 interviews regarding police use of force. This site also has various statistics on police misconduct.

The Use and Abuse of Police Powers: Law Enforcement Practices and the Minority Community in New Jersey

A study of problems with police officials and reasons for police misconduct. 1994
CR 1.2:P75/25 microfiche

Opening the Gate?: An Analysis of Military Law Enforcement Authority Over Civilian Lawbreakers On and Off the Federal Installation

What authority do military law enforcement personnel have over civilians? Arrests, the Military Purpose Doctrine, and "hot pursuits" are examined.
Military Law Review. Vol. 161 September 1999 pp. 1-55
D 101.22:27-100-161

Addressing Police Misconduct

This website outlines the police misconduct laws enforced by the U.S. Department of Justiceand explains how to file a complaint with the DOJ.

lllinois Government Information

Citizen Complaint Procedures

This publication tells how a citizen can file a complaint against a police officer. It also explains what happens after the complaint is received. 1999
ILLINOIS 347.05 ILLI 1999

Legal Information

"The Impact of Race on the Investigation of Excessive Force Allegations Against Police"

A look at allegations of excessive force use and racial bias by Chicago police officers. 1996
Journal of Criminal Justice. Jan.-Feb. 1996. Vol. 24. No. 1 pp. 1-15

"Race and Its Effect on Police Officers' Perceptions of Misconduct"

This article gives the results of a survey of 718 police officers, to help determine if police have racially biased attitudes. 1998
Journal of Criminal Justice. Jan-Feb. 1998 Vol. 26 No.1 pp. 21-29

"Evaluating Police Misconduct Cases"

This discusses the factors that must be taken into account when deciding whether to accept or reject a police misconduct case. 1997
Trial. Dec. 1997. Vol. 33 No. 12 pp. 44-50

Police Misconduct: Laws and Litigation

This book gives the different types of misconduct that police officers are liable for under civil rights acts. It also describes the circumstances in which government agents are immune to prosecution. 1996
LEGL REF KF 1307.A98 1996

"Out of Court Police Settlements Open, Despite Confidentiality Clauses"

This discusses the Kentucky Supreme Court ruling that says that out-of-court police settlements must be made public. 1997
News Media & the Law. Summer 1997 Vol. 21. No. 3 pp. 12

"Screening, Evaluating, and Settling Police Misconduct Cases"

This article focuses on what it takes to have a strong misconduct case against a police officer and provides examples. 1993
Trial. July 1993. Vol. 33. No. 7. pp. 36-40

"Police Use of Force Examined in Survey"

This article gives some of the key findings from a survey regarding excessive use of force by police officers.
Trial. May 1994. Vol. 30. No. 5. pp. 99-100

"Citizen's Perceptions of Police Misconduct: Race and Neighborhood Context"

This study examines race and class influences upon citizen-police encounters and finds that residents of black lower-class neighborhoods are more likely to allege unwarranted stops, verbal abuse, or excessive use of force than are members of white and black middle-class neighborhoods.
Justice Quarterly. Vol. 16, No. 4 December 1999 pp.819-846

"Do Traffic Cops Discriminate?"

A look at state efforts to prohibit racial discrimination in traffic stops.
State Legislatures. September 1999 p.33

"Law Enforcement: Pissing Off the Police - Civil Liability Under the First Amendment and the Fighting Words Doctrine"

A look at cases in which persons were arrested on the basis of their speech and a legal assessment of civil liability, police tolerance required, and alternative dispute resolutions.
Criminal Law Bulletin. Vol. 35, No. 6 November-December 1999 pp. 594-620