NCJ Number
45872
Date Published
1977
Length
6 pages
Annotation
AREAS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT THAT ARE PARTICULARLY SUSCEPTIBLE TO CORRUPTING INFLUENCES AND PROCEDURES FOR PREVENTING AND DEALING WITH CORRUPTION ARE DISCUSSED.
Abstract
NARCOTICS, GAMBLING, PROSTITUTION, TOW TRUCK OPERATIONS, AND TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS ARE THE AREAS OF POLICE WORK DISCUSSED IN TERMS OF POTENTIAL CORRUPT PRACTICES. IN DISCUSSING THE CURBING OF CORRUPTION, IT IS NOTED THAT CORRUPTION MOST OFTEN OCCURS IN POORLY RUN ORGANIZATIONS WHERE LINES OF AUTHORITY ARE VAGUE AND SUPERVISION IS WEAK. IT IS ADVISED THAT THE BEST ADMINISTRATIVE TECHNIQUE FOR CONTROLLING CORRUPTION IS TO STRESS INDIVIDUAL ACCOUNTABILITY AND CLEARLY FIX RESPONSIBILITY. EDUCATING THE PUBLIC ABOUT POLICE CORRUPTION AND HOW CITIZENS CAN AVOID CONTRIBUTING TO IT IS ALSO CONSIDERED A RESPONSIBILITY OF POLICE ADMINISTRATORS. SUPERVISORS FREQUENTLY WORK ALONGSIDE THEIR SUBORDINATES AND STRONGLY IDENTIFY WITH THEM DEVELOPING A RELUCTANCE TO TAKE ANY ACTION AGAINST THEM. THEREFORE, THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A CLOSE AND SUPPORTIVE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MANAGEMENT AND FIRST-LINE SUPERVISORS IS URGES IN ORDER TO ENLIST THEIR FULL COOPERATION IN A UNIFORM EFFORT AGAINST CORRUPTION. AVOIDING COMPROMISING HIS OWN INTEGRITY, TAKING ACTION AGAINST CITIZENS WHO ATTEMPT BRIBERY, REMAINING UNSULLIED IN HIS PRIVATE LIFE, AND USING PEER PRESSURE TO DISCOURAGE CORRUPT CONDUCT ARE THE ACTIONS RECOMMENDED FOR A POLICE OFFICER TO AVOID AND PREVENT CORRUPTION. POLICE TRAINING THAT EXPLORES FULLY AND REALISTICALLY ALL THE DIMENSIONS OF THE PROBLEM, INCLUDING SPECIFIC EXAMPLES OF CORRUPTION KNOWN TO EXIST IN THE INDIVIDUAL DEPARTMENT, IS CONSIDERED ESSENTIAL IN PREVENTING CORRUPTION. THIS PUBLICATION IS INTENDED FOR USE IN POLICE TRAINING PROGRAMS. (RCB)