NCJ Number
124326
Journal
Police Studies Volume: 12 Issue: 4 Dated: (Winter 1989) Pages: 165-170
Date Published
1989
Length
6 pages
Annotation
The research and scholarly activities of faculties at criminal justice programs, such as at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, greatly advance professional understanding of issues such as corruption. The responsibilities, values, temptations, and expectations of modern police officers lead to dynamics which are conducive to situations of corruption.
Abstract
Some of these influences and factors are moral character, shaped by family upbringing, community environment, education, and societal values. Young officers are especially influenced by the perverted realities and values of the criminal subculture with which they must deal. Financial temptations often lead to corruption, as does inaccessibility to career advancement. An individual officer's jeopardy from these corrupting influences can be affected by department policies and practices. Close supervision, command accountability, and realistic performance criteria minimize the opportunities for and benefits of corrupt activity. Equally important are department attitudes that do not foster corruption by discouraging a conspiratorial atmosphere of police brotherhood. Societal attitudes which overwork police forces, tolerate illegal behavior, and support improprieties also threaten police integrity. The international drug trade poses a challenge to anti-corruption efforts as it can easily infect and destroy good police officers. Managerial strategies for combatting corruption include turnover of personnel assignments, stringent accountability, tighter supervision, policy changes, and mandatory random drug testing. Internal and external review boards can monitor departmental policies and training activities. Educational and training programs should be used to help officers resist corrupting influences on an individual basis.