NCJ Number
192747
Journal
FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Volume: 70 Issue: 11 Dated: November 2001 Pages: 18-22
Editor(s)
John E. Ott
Date Published
November 2001
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This article presents the four key elements within an internal disciplinary program, code of conduct, adjudication process, reporting process, and internal investigation necessary in law enforcement organizations to maintain a high level of institutional integrity.
Abstract
In order for law enforcement agencies to maintain their institutional integrity and avoid allegations of corruption, agencies must implement methods of self-policing. The internal disciplinary programs within agencies that show the self-policing process, share four common components: (1) implementation of a formal code of conduct; (2) internal investigations to review allegations of misconduct; (3) an adjudication process that compares the act of misconduct to the prohibited behavior outlined in the official code of conduct; and (4) a formal reporting process with official documents and notifications prepared by the department. These elements are interrelated and law enforcement agencies and departments need to manage them to aid in the improvement of institutional integrity.