NCJ Number
30218
Journal
Social Problems Volume: 21 Issue: 3 Dated: (1974) Pages: 423-437
Date Published
1974
Length
15 pages
Annotation
EMPIRICAL TYPOLOGY OF POLICE CORRUPTION DERIVED FROM A CONTENT ANALYSIS OF THE LITERATURE (1960-1972) AND THE POLICE WORK EXPERIENCE OF ONE OF THE AUTHORS.
Abstract
POLICE CORRUPTION IS ANALYZED AS A FORM OF ORGANIZATIONAL DEVIANCE HINGING PRIMARILY ON INFORMAL POLICE PEER GROUP NORMS. CONTRADICTIONS AMONG FORMAL NORMS, INFORMAL NORMS, AND SITUATIONAL RULES ARE INDICATED. EIGHT TYPES OF POLICE CORRUPTION ARE DELINEATED: CORRUPTION OF AUTHORITY, KICKBACKS, OPPORTUNISTIC THEFT, SHAKEDOWNS, PROTECTION OF ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES, THE FIX, DIRECT CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES, AND INTERNAL PAYOFFS. THE TYPES ARE ANALYZED ALONG SEVERAL DIMENSIONS: ACTS AND ACTORS, NORM VIOLATIONS, SUPPORT FROM PEER GROUP, ORGANIZATIONAL DEGREE OF DEVIANT PRACTICES, AND POLICE DEPARTMENT'S REACTIONS. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)