NCJ Number
111476
Journal
Police Studies Volume: 11 Issue: 1 Dated: (Spring 1988) Pages: 28-31
Date Published
1988
Length
4 pages
Annotation
In 1974, in part in response to public furor over the absconding of a senior police officer suspected of corruption, the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) was created and given special powers to investigate official corruption in Hong Kong.
Abstract
Initially, the police force reacted to ICAC with professional jealousy, suspiciousness, and resentment at being deprived of this investigative function. Since then, attitudes have changed and relations between ICAC and the police have improved markedly, as evidenced by police willingness to pass corruption reports directly to ICAC, the ready cooperation of police conducitng investigations, and joint ICAC/police action in conducting inquiries and making arrests. In addition to investigation and arrest, ICAC plays a role in corruption prevention during police officer training and through studies of police policies and procedures. In addition to identifying and providing remedies for opportunities for police corruption, such studies have proved valuable management audit exercises and have contributed to improved police performance. By assuring an independent and objective investigation of alleged police corruption, the ICAC has gained both police and public support and lowered the level of corrupt police activities.