POLICING IN THE HYDE-PARK NEIGHBORHOOD, ST-LOUIS - RACIAL BIAS, POLITICAL PRESSURE, AND COMMUNITY POLICING

Policing in the inner-city neighborhood of Hyde Park is evaluated agai nst a backdrop of racial polarization within the city of St. Louis and political pressures upon the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department (SLMPD). Data garnered from immersion into Hyde Park community life, participation in and observation of numerous police/community meetings , document analyses, a focus group session with rank-and-file police o fficers, interviews with a sergeant and the captain of the Police Fift h District, and numerous informal conversations with residents and pol ice officers provide evidence of poor community/police relationships. The data also provide evidence - on the part of police - of racial bia s, lack of and/or poor understanding of the underlying causes of crimi nal behavior, pervading adventure and excitement lures toward police w ork, and a less than adequate understanding of the community oriented problem-solving (COPS) policing initiative. An underlying theme of lit tle or absent informed locus of control at various levels regarding po licing practices links issues of poor police/community relationships a nd the influence of racial bias and political pressures.