NCJ Number
132212
Journal
FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Volume: 60 Issue: 9 Dated: (September 1991) Pages: 5-9
Date Published
1991
Length
5 pages
Annotation
Public confidence in law enforcement is diminished by reports of corruption; therefore, law enforcement officers must maintain a consistently high standard of integrity.
Abstract
In particular, the lure of fast money associated with the drug trade is creating new and potentially devastating problems for police departments and law enforcement managers. While there is no proven approach to eliminate all corruption, there is an emerging belief that an effective strategy must begin with recruitment and continue through training. In addition, procedures must be instituted to investigate charges of police misconduct. The key to any effort aimed at preventing corruption is acknowledging that corruption, or the potential for corruption, exists. Once a manager is committed to preventing corruption, the next step is to develop a policy before a crisis situation develops. The Model for Management-Corruption Prevention, developed by the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), can help law enforcement managers develop an appropriate policy. The IACP has also developed a model for use by police departments to guide the formation of internal affairs unit to investigate police misconduct. Recruit and inservice training provides the best and most powerful tool for making a corruption prevention policy work. If corruption is not prevented, the bond between police officers and the public is strained and citizen cooperation with law enforcement is jeopardized. 9 footnotes