How To Manage Police Corruption
| In the last few decades, corruption in the police service in the United States is increasing coming under public scanner. |
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A series of public scandals has caused concerned about ethics, morality and integrity of policemen and policewomen. So, the police service is out to manage police corruption by introducing a range of short-term and long-term reforms.
According to the Knapp Commission, in the United States, one of the most corrupt departments is the New York Police Department (NYPD). It is believed that police get regular payoffs from gambling dens, brothels and other small businesses. At least that is what was evident right through the 1950s. Then in the 1970s, it was all about drugs. However, it was in the 1990s that it became evident that police offers were not just involved in accepting bribes and protection money but also involved in drug trafficking. That is when the panic button was hit.
The police service decided to take matters into its hand and manage the police corruption that had become rampant across all levels and in all states. They responded by amending existing employment and training practices and by introducing new procedures.
One of the first things that the police force in the US started looking at was recruitment. All candidates’ background was screened and first preference was being given to candidates with higher education. They introduced reward system for candidates who wanted to continue their education.
Training on ethics was also given importance as most police training used to avoid any discussion on corruption. Police officers started being given training on how to be ethical while taking professional pride in what they do. In the long-term it was seen that officers who took pride in their department were resistant to corruption.
Even higher police officials were not left alone. It is believed that in order for corruption to happen, officers in supervisory and management position support it. Therefore, to handle and ultimately to eliminate police corruption, it is essential to inculcate a sense of responsibility among the higher levels.
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