NCJ Number
193777
Date Published
2001
Length
10 pages
Annotation
This article defines "police misconduct" in general and identifies and describes specific types of police misconduct.
Abstract
"Police misconduct" can be defined as "a wrongdoing committed by a police officer." This wrongdoing can be a criminal act or a violation of departmental policies and procedures. Misconduct can be unethical or amoral and yet not be considered criminal. Material gain is not a requirement for an action to be considered misconduct; there are also acts of wrongdoing such as perjury, sex/drinking on duty, use of drugs, and police brutality. Although police brutality, drinking on duty, using drugs, or sleeping on duty constitutes unacceptable behavior and cannot be tolerated by other police officers or by society, even more damaging to the community, police department, and police officers are acts of police corruption and the unnecessary use of deadly force. Officers involved in corruption undermine the credibility and public trust in the entire department. Further, there is no greater offense for an officer than the taking of a human life in the course of police duties, when such action does not comply with the stringent departmental requirements for the use of deadly force. It is only through the proactive approach of police officers and agencies themselves that the elimination of police misconduct can be achieved. 13 references