NCJ Number
217827
Date Published
2006
Length
265 pages
Annotation
This book presents an English-language translation of a study on police corruption in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Abstract
Results indicate that police corruption is a widespread phenomenon in Bosnia and Herzegovina that requires urgent research and anti-corruption programming. A full 50 percent of officers have been in a situation to receive or to ask for a bribe. Moreover, most officers indicated it was acceptable for officers to use their position for personal benefit so long as it did not endanger the community. The findings further revealed that police officer’s assessments of the extent of police corruption were mainly influenced by their personal on-the-job experiences. Likewise, personal experience with police corruption strengthened the readiness of officers to behave more responsibly and to oppose of corrupt behavior in their colleagues. Main research questions asked whether Bosnia and Herzegovina has ratified international instruments related to police reforms and the fight against corruption; does the current organization of the police forces in Bosnia and Herzegovina enable the effective fight against corruption both within society and within the police force itself; do the police forces in Bosnia and Herzegovina use preventative programming to combat corruption; and what is the professional level and quality of police officers charged with investigating corruption. Research involved an analysis of international obligations and policies regarding the control of corruption, the analysis of national legislation regarding corruption, the analysis of official statistical information on corruption, and a survey of 314 students, 958 citizens, and 829 police officers. The survey focused on perceptions of the prevalence of corruption in society and in the police force, attitudes toward tolerance for police corruption, desire to suppress corruption, and behavior in corruptive situations. Data were analyzed using univariate, bivariate, and multivariate regression analyses. Figures, tables, footnotes, annexes, literature