The Police Scandal Syndrome

Abstract

Police scandals have shocked public conscience, have produced public outcry, and have diminished public confidence in those to whom it looks for protection. But all the tumult has done nothing to relieve the same public from its share of the responsi bility. True, in those few communities visited by clouds of scan dal, police leadership must accept its responsibility for its lack of management ability, failure to control personnel, and failure to safeguard the public interest vested in their agencies. But the public also has failed in large measure to recognize and acquit its own responsibility in the process of obtaining justice. When police leadership does not select men on the basis of quality instead of quantity and does not educate neophytes and veterans in the ideals, philosophies, ethics, and techniques of police serv ice, the public has failed to demand high standards. Where vice, corruption, and scandals have prevailed, the public has failed to demonstrate its intolerance of conditions inimical to its safety. Where the police have failed to improve the law enforce ment image and articulate needs adequately, the public, con tent with the status quo, has usually failed to invite such action. The public and the police alike must be aware of their responsi bilities and together be intolerant of what ought not to be.