Police Corruption

Police corruption is defined as the misuse of police authority for personal gain. Examples include extortion, demanding money for not writing traffic tickets, and bribery, accepting money or favors in exchange for not enforcing the law. Many of the corruption activities go un-noticed due to the fact that it’s being committed in the course of a normal daily routine of a police officer.

In recent times we have seen the prosecution of persons in positions of trust being convicted of crimes such as the asking of special favors like taking care of a traffic ticket when unable to talk their way out of it based on who they are. Some look at it as an opportunity to establish a credit system of “I’ll help you if you help me” if the person involved happens to be in a position that can directly affect the outcome of their work performance. This brings into question the morals and integrity that the officer who has sworn to uphold the law. Because this type of criminal activity is so common most officers seem to look the other way as though not seeing the act being committed somehow clears them of any involvement.

Police corruption is costly in more ways than monetarily. As stated before, it is a criminal act that should be punished at the highest levels. It detracts from the integrity of the police and tarnishes the public image of law enforcement. (Whitebread & Slobogin, Criminal Procedure. Analysis of Cases and Concepts p.37 ). It also serves to protect other criminal activities such as drug dealing and prostitution. These activities are often linked and are lucrative sources of income for organized crime. According to the rotten apple theory, corruption is the work of a few, dishonest, immoral police officers. Experts have dismissed this theory because it fails to explain why so many corrupt officers become concentrated in some police organizations but not in others.

Another explanation pinpoints U.S. society's use of the criminal law to enforce morality....