What Are The Arguments Against Police Corruption

612 Words2 Pages

Police corruption is an inevitable part of our society. The rules of our capitalistic society empower people that possess the power of the law to bend it to suit their own selfish desires. Our society inspires greed especially in the hearts of those who pretend to protect us. Civilians and law enforcement officers alike are seriously affected by this problem.

One constant aspect of police that has remained relatively unchanged is corruption. Media plays a major part in covering up the aspects of police corruption. Local newspapers should be filled with articles about a police officers that have been arrested for committing a corrupt action. Officers have historically stole money from drug dealers and distributed drugs. Unfortunately, …show more content…

“Giving a person the kind of power a policeman has can overwhelm one”() Any institution can be susceptible to greed and unethical behavior. Corruption in this context refers to the use of authority by a police officer to fulfill personal needs or wants. The three criteria for a act of corruption are: “1) misuse of authority, 2) misuse of official capacity, and
3) misuse of personal attainment.” (Dantzker, 1995)

Police have attempted to remove corruption through increasing salaries, and requiring more awareness of the issue of corruption. Police organizations have also suggested to “hire police officers of good character.”() In spite of attempts to control corruption, it still exists.
Controlling corruption seems to be the only effective way to really limit corruption. Control in this context must come from the police department, and communities that desire change.

A way that police agencies can control its corruption problem can be in the hiring process and through in the officers’ career. I believe ethical decisions and behavior should be promoted, because encourages other officers who have witnessed their peers commit corrupt acts to speak

Open Document