NCJ Number
27045
Date Published
Unknown
Length
367 pages
Annotation
THIS PROJECT PROPOSES FOUR BASIC CAUSES AND FIVE FACTORS WHICH HAVE STRONGLY REINFORCED THE HISTORIC PRESSURES FOR POLICE CORRUPTION.
Abstract
THE BASIC CAUSES IDENTIFIED INCLUDE DEMANDS FOR SELECTIVE LAW ENFORCEMENT; SYSTEMIC CAUSATION (THE ORDERLY INITIATION OF NEW RECRUITS INTO THE PRACTICES OF CORRUPTION, THE CODE OF SILENCE, AND THE APPLICATION OF PEER GROUP PRESSURES); COMMUNITY TOLERANCE TOWARD CORRUPTION IN GENERAL; AND LACK OF EFFECTIVE CHANNELS FOR MONITORING AND CONTROL. THE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS SUGGESTED WERE WIDESPREAD OPPORTUNITIES TO ENGAGE IN CORRUPT ACTIVITIES; THE DISCRETIONARY NATURE OF POLICE WORK; RELUCTANCE ON THE PART OF POLICE DEPARTMENT, CITY GOVERNMENT, AND POLICE UNION OFFICIALS TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE EXISTENCE AND EXTENT OF POLICE CORRUPTION; PROBLEMS RELATED TO SECURING ACTUAL INTERNAL CONTROL; AND UNLIKELY PROSPECTS FOR LONG-TERM FUNDAMENTAL REFORM. SEVEN IMPACTS OF POLICE CORRUPTION ARE DISCUSSED, AND A STRATEGY IS PRESENTED, BASED ON AN EXPANSION OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE KNAPP COMMISSION, FOR REDUCING POLICE CORRUPTION. IT INCLUDES REVISING LAWS AND REGULATIONS TO REDUCE THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR CORRUPTION, IMPLEMENTING MANAGERIAL REFORMS IN A POLICE DEPARTMENT TO CONTROL CORRUPTION HAZARDS, INTRODUCING MANAGERIAL AND INVESTIGATIVE AND PROSECUTIONAL MEASURES TO REDUCE THE TEMPTATIONS FOR CORRUPT PARTICIPATION, AND CHANGING POLICE SELECTION AND TRAINING POLICIES AND INCENTIVES TO REDUCE OFFICER SUSCEPTIBILITY TO CORRUPT INDUCEMENTS. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)