Police in urban areas like New York City generally operate under one of three police models. Each model has its strengths and weaknesses. A report accepted by Mayor Bill de Blasio on December 18, 2020, outlines the key differences.
Investigation focused
This model uses civilians to investigate claims of police brutality. In some urban areas, they replace police internal affairs committees while they are an addition to the process in others. There may be a higher level of public trust since civilians are conducting the investigation. In urban centers, these investigators may be full-time employees who receive specialized training. The cost of these investigators is higher than if the police are doing an investigation as part of their regular duties. Additionally, citizens may become disillusioned if the outcome is not what they expect. In some areas, police chiefs find it challenging to manage their officers under this plan.
Review focused
When an incident occurs in an urban center with a review-focused police model, the police first conduct their internal investigation, often using body-cam evidence, which is then reviewed by a committee of citizens. Then, the citizen-review committee makes its recommendations for changes or asks for further analysis. The citizen committee is often composed of volunteers or people who get a small stipend, and they can represent culturally diverse segments of a city’s population. A lack of training and resources often plague this model.
Auditor-monitor focused
Instead of focusing on a particular incident, the auditor-monitor focused police department looks for trends and makes recommendations based on those trends. Paid professionals who have spent years training for the position serve in these positions. Usually, many resources are required. Community perception often varies widely.
Different police models can show different rates of police brutality. If you believe that you have been the victim of police brutality, contact a lawyer who can conduct a thorough investigation. We offer free consultations and can help you determine your next steps.
