What was the Boston police strike; how did it affect the police labor movement?


What will be an ideal response?


The Boston police strike of 1919 was primarily caused by Police Commissioner E.V. Curtis's refusal to recognize the union. He had prohibited officers from joining the union and had filed charges against several officials of the union. Eventually, three-fourths of the Boston police force would strike. The strike lasted four days, after which "the Commonwealth dismissed the strikers and destroyed the union," with 1,100 striking police officers losing their jobs. Seven lives were lost and hundreds of people were injured as a result of rioting, and immense property damage was suffered before the state's National Guard restored order. President Woodrow Wilson severely condemned the police and the strike. Although the strike had tragic results, salaries were increased significantly, officers were no longer required to purchase their uniforms, and a pension system was added. It was also a defining moment for the fledgling police labor movement, causing distrust and hatred of the police and solidifying politicians' and the public's positions against police unions and organizations.

Criminal Justice

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______ is Max Weber's term for a research strategy in which researchers immerse themselves in the subject matter and develop "sensitizing concepts."

Fill in the blank(s) with correct word

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What will be an ideal response?

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a. True b. False

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Fill in the blank(s) with correct word

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