Show Law Lw c Enforcement Often Offen Scapegoat Law enforcement by the very nature of its responsibilities ties has always been a handy scapegoat for those who resent law and order and those who seek public sympathy on controversial controversial con con- As a frontline front line representative of government government govern govern- ment law enforcement often bears the brunt of criticism just just or unjust leveled at constituted authority ADMITTEDLY law enforcement enforce enforce- enforcement ment has its shortcomings as do all professions Contrary to some viewpoints however itis ItIs It ItIs Is not responsible for all the grievances with which it is charged Furthermore wholesale wholesale whole whole- sale harassment of law enforcement enforcement en en- is not an antidote for all the troublesome issues facing communities throughout the country A questionable move currently current current- ly Iy being championed ed in some localities is the establishment of civilian review boards to hear complaints against law enforcement officers To a I large degree these panels would consist of appointed individuals individuals individuals in in- who are generally inexperienced inexperienced in in- experienced and uninformed in inlaw inlaw inlaw law enforcement and police administration ad ad- ministration WHEN WIlEN CAREFULLY considered consid consid- considered ered it is clear this drive for external boards is an ill ad maneuver It amounts to the usurpation of authority rightfully belonging to the police police police po po- lice commander It is a practice practice prat tice which could damage tive law enforcement and reduce reduce reduce re re- duce the orderly of community life liCe to petty bickering bick bick- bickering ering suspicion and hatred The police executive cannot become a mere pawn of bureaucratic bur bur- bureaucratic committees He Ife must have full responsibility for the performance discipline anc and control of his officers VALID objections to external review boards are too numerous numer numer- numerous ous and extensive to be shunted shunt shunt- ed aside Such panels represent represent sent a backward step for law enforcement toward ineptness and mediocrity Moreover one one of the major weaknesses o of these boards is their Inherent political overtones rIn In In many instances appoint ments will wilt be made for political expedience rather than merit and every faction u e group and organization which has an ax to grind will demand representation If there is on one thing career police executives executive have learned over the years itIs i it itIs is that politics has no place i Ineffective in ineffective effective law enforcement TilE THE AVERAGE law enforcement enforce enforce- enforcement ment officer today is alread already saddled with greater responsibilities than he can fully comprehend comprehend com com- and capably discharge Society demands of the officer office total compliance with the mandates mandates man man- dates of the law however it has yet to give him a cut clear picture of what the law demands demands de de- mands and what it forbids Even those learned in th the law cannot agree with certainty certain certain- ty what powers the police officer officer of of- possesses Many times his actions are adjudged wrong by the thinnest of margins ii in split decisions by the highest highes courts liE HE SHOULD not be subject subject- subjected ed to public ridicule and penalized penalized pena pena- in salary promotion and personal career based on dec deci decisions reached by outside overseers overseers overseers over over- seers to whom professional law enforcement and public protection may be of secondary interest Experience has shown that tha high selection standards outstanding outstanding outstanding out out- standing training realistic pay scales and advancement based on merit are fundamental principles principles prin prine of good police service It is a pity that the efforts being being being be be- ing wasted in promoting impractical impractical impractical im im- practical review boards could not be applied to these proven elements |