NCJ Number
64288
Journal
Police Chief Volume: 46 Issue: 12 Dated: (DECEMBER 1979) Pages: 77-81
Date Published
1979
Length
5 pages
Annotation
POLICE CORRUPTION IN THE U.S. IS EXAMINED BY A FORMER POLICE OFFICER WHO FOCUSES ON FIVE THEORIES, TOGETHER BELIEVED TO PRODUCE CORRUPTION.
Abstract
CORRUPTION IS DEFINED AS A VIOLATION OF THE PUBLIC INTEREST FOR PERSONAL GAIN OR FAVOR. ALTHOUGH POLICE CORRUPTION HAS LONG EXISTED AND IS NOT THE MOST HARMFUL FORM OF CORRUPTION IN THE U.S. TODAY, THE PUBLIC TENDS TO VIEW IT AS THE UGLIEST FORM OF CORRUPTION. POPULAR THEORIES ON THE ETIOLOGY OF POLICE CORRUPTION FOCUS ON ABSENCE OF POLICE STANDARDS, LACK OF POLICE PROFESSIONALISM, LACK OF PUBLIC SUPPORT, AND INADEQUATE PAY AND SUPERVISION. HOWEVER THESE THEORIES ARE VIEWED BY POLICE PRACTITIONERS AS SHALLOW AND UNREALISTIC. INSTEAD, CORRUPTION IS THE PRODUCT OF AN AGGREGATE OF CAUSES WHICH TOGETHER AFFECT A PARTICULAR OFFICER'S MENTALITY AND MAKE THE OFFICER CORRUPT. THE FIVE CAUSES INCLUDE (1) HUMAN WEAKNESS OR THE JAMES MADISON THEORY, (2) OVERZEALOUSNESS OR THE ABRAHAM LINCOLN THEORY, (3) EXTRAORDINARY TEMPTATION OR THE LINCOLN STEFFENS THEORY, (4) ADMINISTRATIVE HYGIENE OR THE FREDERICK HERZBERG THEORY, AND (5) THE THEORY OF ZORBA OR THE CONVENIENCE OF FLIRTATION BEHIND THE BACK OF ONE'S POLICE DEPARTMENT. THE EFFECT OF THESE CAUSES VARIES FROM ONE OFFICER TO ANOTHER. POLICE OFFICERS AND POLICE ADMINISTRATORS SHOULD BE AWARE OF THESE CAUSES AND TRY TO PREVENT THEIR DEVELOPMENT. (CFW)