Question

Define police corruption and how unethical/criminal behaviour by investigators can undermine public confidence and impact on legitimacy of the police service. Discuss what impact this may have on investigations and how the police service can reduce the potential for corrupt and improper practice. 1000 words

Answer 1

Police corruption is police getting involved or supporting crime activities for their self benefits. This could be indulging in crime or having a blind eye and supporting such activities in exchange for gifts or money. Normal citizens witnessing such activities and feeling incapable of escaping the law may lose confidence in the police department. Result is that the entire department gets bad name due to few people.

Police misuses their power and responsibility given to them. People fear them for the sake of not getting into undesired consequences. The more corrupt the police officer, more is the fear. This is due to the thought, that such officer can misuse the law and can use it against them.

Investigations would be filled with fear and the disrupted thoughts does not guarantee reporting of true incidents. One never knows whether a police officer is corrupt or good. News circulating about corrupt officers gives a general impression, leading to a caution towards every policemen.

To avoid corruption in such a responsible department is by two things- one, they have to be well paid, so that there is no need for them to look for it in unlawful ways. Two, transparency in the policies and systems making it difficult to maipulate records, witness and crimes.