NCJ Number
120652
Date Published
1989
Length
136 pages
Annotation
The police departments of Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, San Diego, and Washington, DC, participated in a study designed to provide insight into the contributing factors of drug-related police corruption and the determinants of a high level of department integrity, and to recommend methods of improving integrity in policing.
Abstract
Each department, all of which varied in operating conditions, provided information about its police functions including internal affairs, specialized drug units, patrol, training, recruiting, hiring, background investigations, psychological screening, discipline, and management systems. In addition, members of the command staff and field officers were available for interviews to the extent possible under the law. The study quickly focused on three principal areas. The first section on the applicant selection process explains the importance of measuring applicants against department standards, the possibility of standard compromise, and the significance of selection criteria including prior drug abuse limits. The second section emphasizes the importance of reinforcing high integrity values among police officers and suggests methods of strengthening those values. Finally, the monograph highlights a number of possible anti-corruption efforts and techniques used by departments and recommends ways to strengthen department initiatives. A model presents the principles and techniques necessary to assess specific areas needing improvement, develop a proactive plan to making those improvements, and monitor progress. 11 appendixes.