NCJ Number
45255
Date Published
1977
Length
32 pages
Annotation
ELEMENTS OF POLITICAL CORRUPTION AT THE LOCAL LEVEL ARE EXAMINED, AND POTENTIAL POWER BASES FOR CHALLENGES BY POLICE ADMINISTRATORS AGAINST CORRUPTION ARE IDENTIFIED.
Abstract
ALTHOUGH SOME POLICE CORRUPTION IS ENTIRELY UNRELATED TO CITY POLITICS, THE CORRUPTION THAT IS DIRECTLY LINKED TO THE POLITICAL ENVIRONMENT IS VERY DIFFICULT FOR THE HONEST POLICE ADMINISTRATOR TO CONTROL. SUCH SITUATIONS INVOLVE WELL-ORGANIZED INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS IN WHICH POLICE OFFICERS MAY RECEIVE LITTLE REWARD OTHER THAN JOB SECURITY. THE PROTECTION OF ILLEGAL VICE ACTIVITIES IS THE MOST COMMON FORM OF POLITICALLY LINKED CORRUPTION. WHEN SUCH ACTIVITIES ARE IMPORTANT TO THE LOCAL ECONOMY, STRONG SUPPORT FOR CORRUPTION MAY EXIST AMONG POLITICIANS, THE GENERAL PUBLIC, AND THE PRESS. THE THREE BASIC POWER SOURCES FOR CHALLENGES BY POLICE ADMINISTRATORS AGAINST CORRUPTION -- THE POWER OF CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION, THE ABILITY TO INFLUENCE PUBLIC ATTITUDES, AND THE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE NEWS MEDIA -CORRESPOND TO THE THREE MAIN ELEMENTS OF A CORRUPT POLITICAL ENVIRONMENT: CORRUPT POLITICIANS; A PASSIVE PUBLIC; AND A 'DON'T ROCK THE BOAT' POLICY ON THE PART OF LOCAL NEWS MEDIA. APPROACHES TO CHALLENGING CORRUPTION ARE REFLECTED IN THE REFORM EFFORTS OF POLICE ADMINISTRATORS IN LOS ANGELES AND OAKLAND, CALIF., CHICAGO, ILL., NEW YORK, N.Y., AND NEWBURGH, N.Y. A LIST OF REFERENCES IS INCLUDED. (LKM)