Complaints Against the Police: A Focus Group Study of Citizen Perceptions, Goals, and Expectations

Abstract

This article explores citizen perceptions, goals, and expectations in filing complaints against the police. It is based on 10 focus groups representing a cross-section of a medium-sized midwestern community. Its findings confirm earlier research indicating a poor "fit" between complainant goals and complaint procedures. Although most existing complaint procedures are designed to investigate complaints of officer misconduct and to punish guilty officers, relatively few of the focus group participants indicated punishment as their goal. The majority wanted either an explanation for the incident, an apology, a face-to-face encounter with the officer, or documentation of the incident on the officer's record.

The impact of new immigration patterns on the provision of police services in midwestern communities

“…''They are more willing to answer questions knowing they will not be deported'' (Herbst & Walker, 2001, p. 338). A focus group in one midwestern city found that Hispanics had little understanding of the police complaints process and were generally fearful that police contacts could result in immigration or employment problems (Walker, 1997).…”

Complainants’ Views about Civilian Review of the Police: A Study of the Philippines

“…Indeed, Brown (1987Brown ( , 1988 and Prenzler (2004) suggest that complainants whose claims were unsubstantiated were in turn dissatisfied with the civilian review board. Walker (1998) presents a compelling explanation for this phenomenon. He explains that being confirmed by the board brings a sense of achievement for complainants.…”

Perceptions of Police Among Hispanic Immigrants of Mexican Origin in the Southeast United States

“…In fact, age has been regarded as an important demographic variable in determining perceptions of police (Brown & Benedict, 2002;Cao, Frank, & Cullen, 1996;Webb & Marshall, 1995). By exploring citizen perceptions and the goals and expectations of the police, Walker (1997) found older Hispanics have a high degree of deference for the police. Further, when juvenile perceptions of the police were studied, Borrero (2001) found African American and Latino 2 youth who lived in disadvantaged neighborhoods had negative views toward police because they often experienced police misconduct against them (see also Solis, Portillos, & Brunson, 2009).…”

“…In fact, Mexicans accounted for a disproportionate percentage of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detentions and deportations in 2011 (Simanski & Sapp, 2012). Due to the threat of deportation, immigrants may avoid contacting law enforcement officials even if they have been victimized (Menjivar & Bejarano, 2004;Walker, 1997). For instance, a recent study found that being questioned about one's immigration status is likely to lead to lower confidence levels in the police among Hispanic immigrants (Barrick, 2014).…”