NINTH ANNUAL NATIONAL POLICE SURVEY

The following survey questions were posed in the last 60 days by mail of 15,000 chiefs of police and sheriffs and was completed March 31. It represents a cross section of professional officers involving every state with a 10 percent response. The survey was for the ninth consecutive year by the National Association of Chiefs of Police.

Death Penalty

1. Do you believe that the death penalty serves as a deterrent to certain types of crimes? Yes -- 89.8%

2. Do you believe that any person convicted of heinous crimes and sentenced to death should (after appeals) be executed according to state law within five years? Yes -- 96.8%

3. When a person has been convicted of a capital crime on forensic evidence, and the death penalty is imposed, should this person have only three appeals: State Supreme Court, Federal District Court and U.S. Supreme Court? Yes 94.1%

Drugs and Narcotics

4. It has been proposed that certain drugs now illegal such as marijuana, be legalized for "social use." Do you agree? No -- 94.1%

5. Alcohol is considered a drug. Do you believe that enforcement of illegal age purchase should be a responsibility of local police officers? Yes -- 88.6%

Law Enforcement Ethics

6. In your community do you believe that the citizens consider your law enforcement agency to be professional? Yes -- 94.1%

7. In the past year, a series of highly publicized scandals have occurred in some city police departments regarding police honesty and integrity. Do you believe what occurred in those communities has "tarnished the reputation" in general of all law enforcement officers? Yes -- 78.1%

8. In 1983, "Guidelines in the Use of Lethal Force" were adopted in most police departments. It stated that the only time officers could use lethal force was in the defense of their lives, or those of citizens who were facing serious bodily injury or death; that warning shots are not permitted; that persons fleeing from police and who posed no danger to police or citizens were not to be shot at for fear of injury or harm to bystanders. In general, is this the type of "Use of Lethal Force Guideline" in effect for your police department? Yes -- 97.7%

9. In late October 1995, the U.S. Department of Justice announced a "stricter code of engagement" in the use of lethal force. In the face of incidents in Waco, Texas, and Ruby Ridge, Idaho. Do you believe that your police department has been under even stricter guidelines on the use of force since about 1983, when "Use of force Guidelines" were published? Yes -- 60.5%

10. The "FBI Crime Report in America" indicates that on the average day, 189 police officers are "assaulted in the line of duty." That would be 65,000 officers annually, or 10 percent of the police community nationwide. Has an officer in your department been assaulted in the line of duty in the past year? Yes -- 64%

Firearms

11. The Brady Bill (5-day waiting period) has been in effect for more than a year at this date. Has this waiting period prevented any law abiding person in you community from obtaining a firearm? No -- 90.8%

12. To your knowledge has the "5-day waiting period" prevented any criminal from obtaining a firearm from illegal sources in you area? No -- 84.6%

13. Do you believe that any law-abiding citizen who wishes to obtain a firearm of the types lawfully sold for recreation or home protection should be able to do so under current state law? Yes -- 94.9%

14. In past years, riots, earthquakes, hurricanes, floods and other national disasters have required citizens to protect themselves and their property until order could be restored. Do you believe that any law-abiding citizen should continue under your state laws to purchase any legal weapon for self defense? Yes -- 93.1%

15. Do you believe that the Second Amendment grants any law-abiding citizen the right to purchase a firearm for sport or self defense under your state and federal laws? Yes -- 89.6%

16. Do you believe that your police department is able to respond to emergency calls where a person is being threatened with a firearm or other deadly weapon in time to save that person from serious injury or death? Yes -- 50.9%

General Questions

17. Has your department been granted monies from the federal government to hire additional police officers for "community policing?" No -- 53.4%

18. Recent studies announced by the U.S. Department of Justice predict that a major increase in crime will come from youthful offenders (ages 10 to 17) in serious categories. Has your department noted any evidence of this trend? Yes -- 78.1%

19. Have any of the "research projects" funded by grants by the U.S. Department of Justice or the Office of Justice Programs been of any direct assistance to your police agency? No -- 76.4%

20. Do you believe that the traffic standards on national highways should be raised to as high as 80 MPH despite the potential increase in the number of lives lost or people injured? No -- 86.5%

21. Do you believe that employment of law enforcement officers should be based solely on the individual who scores the highest in all test required by you department rather than "affirmative action" factors set by federal courts? Yes -- 70.4%

22. Do you feel that movie and television violence has had a negative effect on school children? Yes -- 87.7%

23. Does your department investigate all allegations of misconduct charges that may be filed against any police officer? -- Yes 96.5%

Media

24. Do you believe that the media (print and broadcast) are fair and impartial in reporting of the news? No -- 87.6%

25. Does you department use any awards program to recognize valor or service of members of the department or community? Yes -- 56.6%

26. Are you concerned about "citizen militias" that have been organized in your state or other states? Yes -- 67.6%

27. Would you like to see a law enacted that allows any certified police officer active or retired be granted authority to carry a concealed weapon in all states on or off duty? Yes -- 87.4%

28. Does you police department provided bullet resistant armor and/or encourage its wearing by officers on duty? Yes -- 88.5%

29. The National Rifle Association, as the defenders of the right of law-abiding citizens to own guns and protect themselves, will celebrate its 125th anniversary this year. In your opinion, is the NRA still a friend of law enforcement? Yes -- 57.9%

30. Given the known allegations at this date of the bombing in Oklahoma City by a small handful of U.S. citizens, were you shocked when those charged thus far have turned out to be a former decorated soldier and other prior servicemen? No -- 63.9%

31. Do you believe that high-speed pursuit of traffic offenders should be stopped in general for fear of the loss of life or injury of the officers or innocent citizens who may be placed in danger? Yes -- 52.9%

32. Do you believe that an extra fee should be added to every drivers license, new and renewal, as well as issuance of tags, and that money be used to provide for officers injured in the line of duty or who may be retired with a disability at full pay? Yes -- 69.9%