Police Informants

There have been several studies and implemented policies within agencies all over the world directed to prevent and deter police misconduct / corruption. In the early 1990s, the Mollen Commission of Inquiry revealed a serious police corruption problem in the New York City Police Department (NYPD). One of the key recommendations of the commission was that their internal investigative structure the Internal Affairs Bureau (IAB) be reconstituted as it had failed to effectively tackle the problem. Almost a decade since the establishment of a new IAB, it is hailed as a noteworthy example of how such a structure should operate if police corruption is to be adequately dealt with. (Newham, 2003).

Growing up our parent always told us that police officers were the good guys, and the people that committed crimes were the bad guys. There was a time in our lives that we believed that this was true, police are good, and criminals are bad, simple as that. Police officers played a prominent role in our lives growing up, some were looked at as role models, guidance counselors, but most of all they were our friends. However, at what point did that connection dissipate between police officers and the community? This disconnection was most prominently exemplified in the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD), where officer corruption, murder, and lawlessness was ramped within the department. Corruption had become a culture, a way of life for some officers in New Orleans, where supervisors dismissed allegations. Could the use of Rotten Apple mechanism help reduce the corruption in the NOPD? Comparatively, could the application of the Rotten Barrel models provide protection from police misconduct during an investigation?

Police corruption can also be explained by the lack of protection and security police feel they have. They also feel like they are being disrespected by individuals in society, which is why they rely on the subculture for protection and support (Skolnick, 1966). The police subculture has created a lot of secrecy within the organization, which contributes to police misconduct. Police officers will often ignore another police officer’s corrupt actions in order to maintain a good reputation within the subculture (Tator & Henry, 2006). For example, 84% of police officers have directly witnessed another officer using more force than necessary out on the streets (US Department of Justice, 2017). However, instead of reporting the acts of others, 52%

Over the years, there have been ethical concerns over the works of undercover policemen both to the officers and those under study. The most essential to the system is the manner in which information is obtained and the more controversial is the means with which such information are obtained. Most laws have provisions that require undercover police and any other person within the

Last month in Louisville, Kentucky a sea of posters were placed on the telephone poles stating “Snitches End Up In Ditches.” The father of a late rapper who recently died, expresses that seeing those posters made him furious because he believes that someone saw something that can help law enforcement catch the killer. The author Bill Maxwell, who wrote “Start Snitching” shares with readers why people should snitch in crime-ridden communities. Unlike Alexandra Natapoff who wrote “Bait and Snitch: The High Cost on Snitching for Law Enforcement” which talks about the cost of snitching to the law enforcement. In each essay the locations as well as the effects of snitching are different. However, both authors want the crime rate to go down, and feel snitching is the way to do it.

Law enforcement agencies have been building relationships within their prospective communities for the past 20 years or so which has allowed them to recognize and address growing concerns(Intelligence-Led, n.d.). Consequently, law

Corruption has always been a danger to law enforcement, just as it has been a danger to all of mankind since the beginning of time. Since the very first police agency was formed in the 1800s, corruption has been widespread. The 19th century was an era in which politics played a very large role in police forces. Various political parties essentially had some police departments in their pockets, and as long as officers served to further those political parties’ agendas, the officers’ continued employment was guaranteed. Since politicians have not always been known for being straight-laced, one can easily see how corruption within police departments became prevalent. Since officers were not serving the people, but rather the political elite, their motives were constantly in question. It was not long before politicians began employing police officers to overlook and even protect their illicit activities. Through this practice, officers began to see the potential monetary and political benefits of allowing and participating in certain illegal actions. Even after the establishment of countermeasures such as police commissions, civil service exams, and legislative changes, corruption remained rampant. This corruption was perhaps best exemplified by none other than the actions of many officers within the Rampart Division of the Los Angeles Police Department.

However, you must ask yourself with the negatives of corruption being what is in the news and not the officers who set up softball leagues for youth in deprived communities, is it just a matter of people not being caught or even a front to make sure the people of the community would never expect them of wrong doing? The examples laid out show patterns of behavior, not one time slip ups that went on over lengthy time periods. Hiding what you do by projecting a positive side to the community and those around you in order to take any suspicion away from you about your morals. These are the same people who help old people across the road and come to the aide of citizens in trouble, the shining examples of taking pride in the community, yet the ones listed had a dark side and used their position to deceive and gain advantage in life at the expense of the same people they are supposed to serve and

Individuals who decide to become law enforcement officers take on a huge role before their community. By doing so, these individuals take an oath of honor before officially exercising their police powers. When police officers are sworn, they vow to support, obey, and defend the Constitution of the United States (“Law Enforcement, 2013). Moreover, once they become police officers, they are held at great ethical and professional standards. Unfortunately, there has been occasions when certain law enforcement officials become problematic for an agency. In the early 80’s, the United States Commission on Civil Rights endorsed all agencies to create early warning systems that would identify warning indicators of officer misconduct (Burns, R., 2009).

Police corruption is one of the ethical issues affecting law enforcement officers. Corruption is defined as “impairment of integrity, virtue or moral principle; inducement to do wrong by improper or unlawful means” (Merriam Webster Online, 2009). While the most recognizable form of corruption involves officers taking money for favors (bribery), the actions that are considered corruption include filing false police reports, harassment of any person due to sex, race, creed, religion, national origin or sexual orientation, and failure to protect the rights of citizens. Corruption exists in all levels of law enforcement.

Police subculture undermines ethics and has a constant influence on officers’ decision-making process, which ultimately leads to misconduct. Police, like most professions, have a secretive yet unique type subculture because the lifestyles of its members are significantly different. Law enforcement officers tend to befriend other officers or people with similar roles within the criminal justice system. Many times, friendships extend to firefighters and other civil service personnel to include military members.

If the citizens can trust those who are holding these law enforcement positions it can make the country a lot better when law enforcement is involved. Although, in Mexico, the citizens do not quite trust those who do hold law enforcement positions. Stated in an article posted by NACLA the public has little to no trust in the police that even if a crime was committed the police are the last to be notified. This goes to show you that the citizens of Mexico have absolutely no trust in their law enforcement and would rather leave them out of the

Police corruption has become an international problem. This was initially a common practice during the period when the police institutions were being developed but the effect has been felt by many people, even affecting peacekeeping operations. The police abuse and corruption has become endemic in the U.S making many citizens seek help from other organization. An example of such a case was experienced in the police training program in Afghanistan were the civilians were brutally abused forcing

Long ago a President of the United States addressed the public with a warning about White Collar crime of the future. He quantified that there were people in charge of professional industries that were extremely shrewd. The warning came next which consisted of being aware that the men in these authoritative positions would have the ability to make decisions that were immoral and thoughtless. With this warning, there were some words of advice that the President would suggest, that could combat the issues people could possibly face because of White Collar crime. The suggestion was that people should remain aware that there is an issue afoot. Also, that he would appoint people that would make sure that these crimes would not go unnoticed. It is thought that the FBI was created as a direct result of the President’s fear that men with positions of power and the right amount of money would become corrupt. White Collar crime has been a top priority to the FBI since the first time it was recognized. More recently, terrorism has taken over the precedence of the importance at the Federal Bureau of Investigation. This does not mean that the original tasks like investigating White Collar crime are going unnoticed, but the FBI does have a lot on their list of things to do

There is a perception of distrust between law enforcement and the community. This distrust stems directly from the dangerous words police use when communicating with the community. (Willis, 2015, p.) Simply choosing better words can help build relationships between law enforcement and the community. It is necessary for law enforcement to have trust with their community. There are many things that hinge on the police-community relationships, the ability of law enforcement to perform their duties, are the most important. Law enforcement must be willing to rely on the public to observe the law. They must always demonstrate absolute impartiality to the law.