NCJ Number
44040
Journal
CRIMINOLOGY - AN INTERDISCIPLINARY JOURNAL Volume: 15 Issue: 3 Dated: (NOVEMBER 1977) Pages: 353-366
Date Published
1977
Length
14 pages
Annotation
A THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK WITHIN WHICH TO EXAMINE FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO POLICE CORRUPTION IS PROPOSED.
Abstract
ATTEMPTS TO EXPLAIN CORRUPT BEHAVIOR ON THE PART OF POLICE HAVE RANGED FROM THE 'ROTTEN APPLE' OR 'ROGUE COP' EXCUSE FOR DEVIANT CONDUCT TO THE VIEW THAT POLICE CORRUPTION REFLECTS SOCIETY'S EFFORTS TO EXECUTE UNENFORCEABLE LAWS. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT THE POLICE OCCUPATION PER SE PROVIDES ITS MEMBERS WITH NUMEROUS OPPORTUNITIES TO BECOME INVOLVED IN CORRUPT ACTS AND OTHER FORMS OF DEVIANCE. IN SOME DEPARTMENTS, THIS INHERENT OCCUPATIONAL STRUCTURE IS COMBINED WITH PEER GROUP SUPPORT AND TOLERANCE OF CERTAIN PATTERNS OF CORRUPTION. THE PEER GROUP MAY INDOCTRINATE AND SOCIALIZE THE ROOKIE INTO PATTERNS OF ACCEPTABLE CORRUPT ACTIVITIES, SANCTION DEVIATIONS OUTSIDE THESE BOUNDARIES, AND SANCTION OFFICERS WHO DO NOT ENGAGE IN ANY CORRUPT ACTS. THE PEER GROUP MAY ALSO DISCIPLINE OFFICERS WHO REPORT FELLOW OFFICERS. ALL OCCUPATIONS MAY WELL OFFER A BASIS FOR DEVIANCE, I.E., AN OCCUPATIONAL STRUCTURE, SOCIALIZATION THROUGH OCCUPATIONAL EXPERIENCES, AND PEER GROUP SUPPORT. POLICE CORRUPTION IS NOT A PECULIAR FORM OF DEVIANT CONDUCT, BUT RATHER SHARES CHARACTERISTICS WITH OTHER FORMS AND PATTERNS OF OCCUPATIONAL DEVIANCE. A LIST OF REFERENCES IS INCLUDED.