Journal article
Reducing public complaints and use of force: the Portland police bureau experience
Journal of Criminological Research, Policy and Practice, Vol.2(4), pp.260-273
2016
Abstract
Purpose: From 2002 to 2014, the Portland Police Bureau reported large reductions in complaints against officers and use of force indicators. This paper develops a case study to document these changes and explore possible influences. Design/methodology/approach: The paper maps the changes in conduct indicators against the developing relationship between the Bureau and the Portland Independent Police Review Division, and changes in policies and procedures. Findings: Public complaints reduced by 54.4%, while the rate of specific allegations per officer fell by 70.1%. Quarterly use of force incident reports reduced by 65.4% between 2008 and 2014. Annual average shootings decreased from a high of nine per year across 1997-2002 to just below four per year in 2009-2014. Fatal shootings also trended downward but remained two per year in the last three years on record. Reforms instituted during this period that may have influenced these trends include a more rigorous complaints process, an early intervention system, enhanced external and internal review mechanisms, policy changes and training initiatives. Research limitations/implications: The researchers were unable to control for a range of additional variables that may have influenced the findings, including police deployments and changes in officer demographics. Practical implications: The study provides support for strategies to improve police conduct including external oversight, diagnostic research, training focused on de-escalation and minimal force, and complaint profiling and early intervention systems. Originality/value: There are very few studies available showing large long-term reductions in adverse police conduct indicators.
Details
- Title
- Reducing public complaints and use of force: the Portland police bureau experience
- Authors
- Timothy Prenzler (Author) - University of the Sunshine CoastTyler Cawthray (Author) - Griffith UniversityLouise Porter (Author) - Griffith UniversityGeoff Alpert (Author) - Griffith University
- Publication details
- Journal of Criminological Research, Policy and Practice, Vol.2(4), pp.260-273
- Publisher
- Emerald Group Publishing Ltd.
- Date published
- 2016
- DOI
- 10.1108/JCRPP-12-2015-0054
- ISSN
- 2056-3841
- Copyright note
- Copyright © 2016 Emerald Group Publishing Limited. This article is © Emerald Group Publishing and permission has been granted for this version to appear here. Emerald does not grant permission for this article to be further copied/distributed or hosted elsewhere without the express permission from Emerald Group Publishing Limited.
- Organisation Unit
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Law and Society; School of Law and Criminology - Legacy
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99451201502621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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