Police Working Personality
All aspects of the traditional values and patterns of behavior evidenced by police officers who have been effectively socialized into the police subculture.
Police Corruption
The abuse of police authority for personal or organizational gain.
Knapp Commission
A committee that investigated police corruption in New York City in the early 1970's.
Internal Affairs
The branch of a police organization tasked with investigating charges of wrongdoing involving members of the department.
Biological Weapon
A biological agent used to threaten human life (for example, anthrax, smallpox, or any infectious disease).
Police Use of Force
The use of physical restraint by a police officer when dealing with a member of the public.
Excessive Force
The application of an amount and/or frequency of force greater than that required to compel compliance from a willing or unwilling subject.
Problem Police Officer
A law enforcement officer who exhibits problem behavior, as indicated by high rates of citizen complaints and use-of-force incidents and by other evidence.
Deadly Force
Force likely to cause death or great bodily harm. Also, "the intentional use of a firearm or other instrument resulting in a high probablity of death.
Less-Lethal Weapon
A weapon that is designed to disable, capture, or immobilize - but not kill - a suspect. Occasional deaths do result from the use of such weapons.
Racial Profiling
Any police-initiated action that relies on the race, ethnicity, or national origin, rather than (1) the bahavior of an individual, or (2) information that leads the police to a particular individual who has been identified as being, or having been, engag
Civil Liability
Potential responsibility for payment of damages or other court-ordered enforcement as a result of a ruling in a lawsuit.
Criminal Liability
Open to punishment for a crime.
1983 Lawsuit
A civil suit brough under Title 42, Section 1983, of the U.S. Code against anyone who denies others their constitutional right to life, liberty, or property without due process of law.
Bivens Action
A civil suit, based on the case of Bivens v. Six Unknown Federal Agents, brought against federal government officials for denying the constitutional rights of others.