CORRUPTION

• NCJ Number: 63697
• Journal: Public Management Volume: 59 Issue: 2 Dated: (FEBRUARY 1977) Pages: 2-12
• Author(s): P B FLOYD; D CHAPIN; F SEFTON
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 11 pages
• Corporate Author: International City/County Management Assoc
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THREE ARTICLES ON CORRUPTION DISCUSS TECHNIQUES TO RESTORE PUBLIC CONFIDENCE AND A CITY'S SYSTEM OF ACCOUNTABILITY, AND INDICATORS AND PREVENTION OF CORRUPTION.

Abstract

THE CITY MANAGER OF CLEARWATER, FLA., DISCUSSES VARIOUS TECHNIQUES WHICH THE CITY MANAGER CAN USE TO HELP REPAIR PUBLIC CONFIDENCE IN A GOVERNMENT THAT HAS SUFFERED A SCANDAL INVOLVING ITS EMPLOYEES. EMPHASIS IS PLACED ON THE MANAGER PROVIDING POSITIVE LEADERSHIP AND INTEGRITY. OPEN COMMUNICATION WITH THE CITY COUNCIL, THE PRESS, AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC; SUPPORT FROM LOCAL CIVIC GROUPS; AND VALUABLE ADVICE FROM MANAGERS IN NEARBY COMMUNITIES ARE ALL FACTORS IN RESTORING CONFIDENCE. ONE WAY TO PREVENT CORRUPTION FROM OCCURRING IS THE DEVELOPMENT OF A SYSTEM OF ACCOUNTABILITY TO ELIMINATE CITY EMPLOYEES' OPPORTUNITIES TO COMMIT CRIMES. THE CITY MANAGER OF CINCINNATI ESTABLISHED A FIVE-POINT PROGRAM TO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEM THAT INVOLVED MANAGEMENT AUDIT STUDIES, INVENTORY SYSTEMS, MAINTENANCE INFORMATION SYSTEMS, AND A GENERAL IMPROVEMENT OF PROCESSES AND PROCEDURES BY THE USE OF MANAGEMENT BY OBJECTIVES. FINALLY, TO COMBAT THE THREE FORMS OF CORRUPTION--BRIBERY, FRAUD, AND THEFT--PREVENTION POLICIES AT THE CITY GOVERNMENT LEVEL SHOULD ENCOMPASS ALL EMPLOYEES AND OFFICIALS, INCLUDING THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR. A TONE OF HONESTY MUST BE SET BY THE MAYOR AND HIS STAFF. PUBLIC DECISIONS MUST BE MADE OPENLY, DELIVERED WITH LOGIC AND REASON, AND IMPLEMENTED OBJECTIVELY. DEVIATIONS FROM DECISIONS MUST BE JUSTIFIABLE BY MORE THAN ONE PERSON. THE CITY MANAGER CAN MANAGE THE ENVIRONMENT IN SUCH A WAY AS TO ELICIT THE TYPE OF MOTIVATED BEHAVIOR DESIRED FROM EMPLOYEES. REVIEW AND SUPERVISION REMAIN THE BEST ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROLS. ONCE CORRUPTION IS DISCOVERED, IT MUST BE HANDLED WITH A PUNISHMENT THAT FITS THE OFFENSE. IF THE OFFENSE CONSTITUTES A CRIMINAL ACT, IT MUST BE HANDLED THROUGH THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. FOR SEPARATE ARTICLES, SEE NJC 63698-99. (PRG)