Police Corruption

Paper Summary:

This paper explores the several theories of police corruption. It explains that the integrity of the criminal justice system is built on a foundation of faith and that public trust is paramount, and corruption by one or two "bad apples" is nearly as destructive to the system as pervasive corruption. The paper discusses the measures that can be taken to restore and preserve the public trust in the police department, and the system at large. The paper concludes that the reliance upon the rule of law to keep society functioning requires the guardians of the system to be of the highest integrity and corruption among those sworn to protect the public diminish the system.

From the Paper:

"Thus, the "rotten-apple" theory is comforting, there are only a few corrupt individuals spoiling it for all of those that are good and honest. Fortunately, this comfortable construct is reality, public opinion polls support the notion that police officers are persons of integrity, and can be depended upon to protect the citizenry from the criminal element. When the public is made aware of corruption in the police department through the media, the stories often revolve around one or two officers, or a small group of officers. Rarely do the stories relate to a systemic problem of widespread corruption. However, with each of these incidents a need for reform is put forward with a degree of urgency more compatible with a department run like an organized crime syndicate rather than measures need to be taken to prevent a few more apples from rotting."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Walker, Samuel and Katz, Charles M. (2004) The Police in America: An Introduction. New York: McGraw Hill, Inc.

More papers on Police Corruption:

• Term Paper # 142874 : "Police Corruption"
• Analytical Essay # 143036 : "Police Corruption: The Tangled Roots of an Enduring Problem"
• Analytical Essay # 5281 : "Police Corruption"
• Cause and Effect Essay # 75765 : "Police Corruption"

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