Police Corruption Paper

Corruption through the ranks of the United States Criminal Justice System is detrimental to the ethics of the justice system as a whole. Police corruption is undoubtedly a complex phenomenon which affects all parties within a society. A majority of officers show great control and use their authority responsibly and for the overall good of the community. However, there are a few officers and departments who have been engrossed by corruption and abuse their authority, highlighting the importance of discussing the unethical behavior that is corruption. Police corruption can generally be defined as law enforcement personnel who used their position and authority for personal gain rather than for the benefit of the public. Corrupt behaviors can include the activities of accepting unauthorized gratuities, bribes, theft, and extortion. Police corruption can occur internally or externally and
Although, it was not until the nineteenth century that police corruption became a widespread issue across the country, particularly throughout large urban cities. During this time, American policing agencies were plagued with heavy political influence. In fact, to fill a position with the New York City Police Department the only requirement was a monetary payment of $300 to the Tammy Hall political foundation (Walker, Spohn, & DeLone, 2012 Pg. 24). Such acts coupled with the lack of training for newly appointed and seasoned officers alike only fueled the effects of departmental corruption. Examples of which can be seen throughout the history of the New York City Police Department during the 1931 Seabury Investigation, the 1972 Knapp Commission Investigation, and the 1994 Mollen Commission Investigation, although, this type of corruption was not confined to the city of New York