NCJ Number
39730
Date Published
Unknown
Length
31 pages
Annotation
POLICE CORRUPTION IS VIEWED AS A NECESSARY QUASI-OFFICIAL ENABLING MECHANISM TO ACCOMPLISH BOTH LEGAL AND ILLEGAL ENDS - WHOLESALE RESTRUCTURING OF LAWS AND SOCIETY IS NECESSARY TO ELIMINATE IT.
Abstract
SOME OF THE FUNCTIONS OF POLICE CORRUPTION ARE THE PROMOTION OF SOLIDARITY WITHIN THE RANKS, A TRAINING DEVICE, AND A RITE OF PASSAGE (THESE LATTER TWO APPLY TO POLICE RECRUITS). CORRUPTION RE-AFFIRMS THE STATUS OF SUPERIOR OFFICERS AT THE SAME TIME THAT IT INCREASES THEIR SOLIDARITY WITH THEIR SUBORDINATES. IT ACTS AS A STABILIZING FACTOR BOTH WITHIN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND BETWEEN THE ACTUALITIES OF SOCIAL INTERCOURSE AND THE SOMETIMES UNWORKABLE LAWS THAT ARE MEANT TO GOVERN IT. IT CAN FACILITATE BUSINESS BY PROVIDING TICKET-FREE PARKING FOR CERTAIN ESTABLISHMENTS. IT ACTS AS PARA-LEGAL LAW ENFORCEMENT SUCH AS WHEN AN OFFICER TAKES A BRIBE FROM A GUILTY DEFENDANT WHEN HE FEELS THE EVIDENCE HE HAS GATHERED MAY NOT BE SUFFICIENT FOR SUCCESSFUL PROSECUTION. CORRUPTION CAN CONTROL CRIME BY ALLOWING CRIMINAL INFORMANTS TO REMAIN IN BUSINESS AS LONG AS THEY CONTINUE TO PROVIDE INFORMATION. IT CAN PROVIDE SERVICES NOT OTHERWISE AVAILABLE, SUCH AS PAYROLL ESCORT SERVICES OR GUARD DUTY AT CAFES PROVIDING FREE COFFEE. ALSO IT REINFORCES THE INFORMAL CLASS SYSTEM IN WHICH A GRATUITY OF SEVERAL DOLLARS IS APPROPRIATE FOR THE POLICE-SERVANT....PLO