Arch Puddington

In the following viewpoint, Arch Puddington maintains that while no statistics on police abuse in the United States are actually compiled, anecdotal evidence suggests that police brutality is waning and that police accountability is increasing. Puddington also argues that charges of police racism are unfair and asserts that minority police officers make up the majority of police departments in many major cities. Puddington is vice president for research at Freedom House, an organization that advances democratic values and opposes dictatorships worldwide.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. According to Puddington, what was the purpose of Helsinki Watch?
2. What powerful reports has Human Rights Watch issued concerning human rights worldwide, according to the author?
3. What are “quality-of-life” crimes, according to the author"

In July 1998, Human Rights Watch issued a report...