Police Use of Excessive Force: A Conciliation Handbook for the Police and the211 Community (Revised)

摘要

Community disturbances resulting from the police use of excessive or deadly force211u001econtinue to plague many American communities. Law enforcement is an important 211u001esocietal function and its effectiveness is hampered when tensions exist between 211u001ethe police department and the public it serves. Over and over, one thing we have 211u001elearned, is that good policing practices are essential to developing community 211u001esupport. Other elements include trust and confidence in the administration of 211u001ejustice. With this foundation, the prospect of successfully dealing with the 211u001epotential for violent disturbances in the community is greatly enhanced. 211u001eMoreover, a healthy relationship between the police and the community diminishes 211u001ethe prospect of the police using excessive force at all. From Community Relations 211u001eService's (CRS) 35 years of conciliation experience in the area of race 211u001erelations, we are convinced that incidents of police use of excessive and lethal 211u001eforce can be prevented, and the turmoil in the communities in the aftermath of 211u001esuch an incident can be reduced; civil unrest and disorder is not a necessary 211u001econsequence of such a terrible tragedy. This guidebook was developed to give the 211u001epolice and community groups options for addressing any controversy surrounding 211u001ethe police use of excessive or deadly force. Even after pursuing formal avenues 211u001elike criminal prosecutions and civil litigation, we are still left with the need 211u001eto address the underlying, unresolved concerns.