NCJ Number
208836
Date Published
2005
Length
28 pages
Annotation
This chapter explores police acceptance of gratuities as an aspect of police corruption.
Abstract
The author argues that gratuities are different from bribes, in that bribes are offered and accepted with the aim of corrupting the recipient's performance of his/her duties as a police officer. Gratuities, on the other hand, may be a genuine expression of appreciation for the effective performance of police responsibilities. This chapter presents arguments for and against allowing officers to accept small gratuities, such as a free cup of coffee at a restaurant on the officer's beat. Those who believe small gratuities are harmless and possibly beneficial indicate that it does not necessarily undermine an officer's effective performance of his/her duties and can facilitate friendly relations with businesses on the beat. Even those who favor allowing officers to receive gratuities, however, caution that officers must be careful not to let the givers of gratuities receive special favors from officers that are not delivered to other citizens. Gratuities, therefore, should not alter the equitable and objective performance of the officer's duties. Those who oppose the acceptance of any gratuities by officers argue that it can only make an officer vulnerable to claims of favoritism toward givers of gratuities and can lead officers to expect that citizens provide them tangible signs of appreciation for doing what they are paid to do. The chapter concludes with a discussion of "whistleblowing" when an officer sees a fellow officer doing something illegal or against departmental policy. 62 notes