Copwatch

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Phoenix Copwatch logo

Copwatch (also Cop Watch) is a network of United States volunteer organizations that "police the police". Copwatch groups usually engage in monitoring of the police, videotaping police activity, educating the public about police misconduct, and advocating for more accountable law enforcement practices.

1 History
2 Copwatch methods
3 Online activities
4 References
5 Further reading
6 External links
- 6.1 Copwatch groups
- 6.2 Media

[edit] History

The modern concept of copwatching is based on a model of police accountability used by the Black Panther Party, in which members of the Party followed police officers on patrols in poor African-American neighborhoods. The Panthers would intervene when the police became intimidating or abusive to black people they had detained.

The Brown Berets also took direct action against police abuse in largely Hispanic neighborhoods and are seen as an antecedent to modern copwatchers.

The first group to call itself Copwatch started in Berkeley, California in 1990. There are now numerous Copwatch groups in cities throughout the United States, and more continue to sprout each year. Each group is autonomous and self-governing, but most groups share common goals: exposing police misconduct, preventing police brutality, defending the rights of civilians, and working towards police accountability.

On November 3, 2006, a video of the arrest of alleged gang member William Cardenas was posted to YouTube by Cop Watch LA. The video, which shows the apparently restrained with only one handcuff on Cardenas repeatedly punched in the face by officers, prompted investigations into police conduct by both the Los Angeles Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.^[1]

[edit] Copwatch methods

The main function of most Copwatch groups is monitoring police activity. "Copwatchers" go out on foot or driving patrols in their communities and videotape interactions between the police and civilians. Some groups also patrol at protests and demonstrations to ensure that the rights of protesters are not violated by police officers. Copwatch organizations generally abide by a policy of non-interference with the police, although this may not be true for all groups.

Copwatch groups also hold "Know Your Rights" forums to educate the public about their legal and human rights when interacting with the police, and some groups organize events to highlight problems of police abuse in their communities.

[edit] Online activities

The Copwatch.com website provides a database of reports of police misconduct and forums for the general public to discuss issues of police abuse. This site is not officially endorsed by a Copwatch organization, and has been criticized both for its confrontational tone and its alleged publication of personal information of police officers. One of the tactics advocated by the owners of this site is the "two person protest", intended to raise public awareness using a small number of people.[1]

The Copwatch Forums were created for the general public to discuss alleged police misconduct. Like the Copwatch Database, the forums are not endorsed by a specific Copwatch organization.

[edit] References

^ Veiga, Alex. YouTube.com Video Prompts Probe of LAPD. The Free Press, 2006-11-11

[edit] Further reading

Daniel J. Chacón, "When cops allegedly step out of line, group steps up pressure", Rocky Mountain News, November 18, 2005, Sec. News, Pg. 31A.
Russ Schanlaub, "Anti-Police Internet Sites", Law and Order, December 2005. Online version
Matt Leedy, "Dozens learn to tape police - Copwatch leader gives Fresnans tips on safely monitoring officers.", Fresno Bee, Aug. 28, 2005, Sec. News, Pg. B1.
"Houston PD wants Copwatch on its side", Law Enforcement News, October 31, 2002, Vol. XXVIII, No. 586. Online abstract
"Arizona vigilantes look for police abuse", Crime Control Digest, Washington: Jan 5, 2001, Vol. 35, Iss. 1; pg. 4.
Tim Dees, "Anti-police sites", Law and Order, Wilmette: Jun 2001. Vol. 49, Iss. 6; pg. 25.