Police unions are very controversial. Do police truly need unions or should they have “professional organizations” like lawyers and doctors? Discuss the role of qualified immunity.
Textbook:Textbook Title: Justice Administration, Police, Courts and Corrections Management, 10th edition
Author(s): Kenneth J. Peak, Andrew L. Giacomazi
Publisher: Pearson
ISBN-13: 9780137636037
Reply to Lasonja:Unlike police associations, local police unions have collective bargaining power. They are also often associated with larger statewide or national umbrella organizations and make campaign donations to elected officials who are likely to vote and pass legislation that supports the special interests of law enforcement. Much criticism of police unions focuses on their obstructionist nature and how the prioritize the interests of their members over the interests of the communities they police. These critiques are compelling police unions shield officers and block oversight. They aggressively protect the rights of members accused of misconduct, often in arbitration hearings that they have battled to keep behind closed doors. And they have also been remarkably effective at fending off broader change, using their political clout and influence on derail efforts to increase accountability. In my opinion, police unions are needed because the union ensure that officers have access to training, helping them keep updated with changing laws and their rights as police officers (Chavez 2024). Finally, unions fight to ensure officers can access equipment to protect themselves and their communities. The doctrine of qualified immunity protects state and local officials, including law enforcement officers, from individual liability unless the official violated a clearly established constitutional right. The evolution of qualified immunity began in 1871 when Congress adopted 42 U.S.C.
References:
Chavez, I. (2024). Investing in Public Safety: The Influence of Police Unions and Associations.
https://couragecaliforniainstitute.orgLinks to an external site.
Levin, B. (2020). What’s Wrong With Police Unions.
https://scholar.law.colorado.edu/faculty-articlesLinks to an external site.
Giacomazi, A.L., & Peak, K.J. (2022). Justice Administration, Police, Courts, and Corrections Management. 10th Ed. Pearson.