NCJ Number
191959
Journal
Law Enforcement Technology Volume: 28 Issue: 10 Dated: October 2001 Pages: 136,138-140,142
Date Published
October 2001
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This article discusses corruption in police departments and what can be done about it.
Abstract
The article claims that the real problem regarding corruption in police departments is with police administration, police unions, and prosecutors who turn a blind eye to falsified police reports and other "low level" corruption. Police unions display an abuse-denial pattern and want police protected in any and all circumstances. Creating an organization of integrity is the responsibility of police administration. Police chiefs must work hard to establish an environment in which the rules are fair and known, and to protect the department from the demands of public or political organizations (e.g., mayor, community organizations, activist groups). A protocol, rules about officer misconduct, communicating those rules, detecting and investigating deviations, disciplining offenders, and encouraging officers to report misconduct when they observe it should all be part of the effort to help a police department rise above corruption.