Police and Law Responses to Corruption

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Questions and Answers

What was one consequence faced by the former officers who were recorded engaging in unethical practices?

They were given a medal of honor.
They served prison time. (correct)
They received a promotion within the department.
They were awarded for their service.

Which illegal activity was the Santa Ana police officer caught doing?

Participating in drug trafficking.
Illegally selling assault rifles. (correct)
Selling confidential police reports.
Taking bribes from local business owners.

Gratuities are best defined as items of value received due to which of the following?

A person's professional role or position. (correct)
A family's legacy.
A personal friendship with the giver.
Being a citizen in good standing.

What actions are described as distinct crimes compared to simple ethical lapses?

Stealing from a burglary scene and protecting drug dealers. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Why did the officer in Santa Ana initially lose his job?

For his role in a viral video showing unethical behavior. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What provided evidence against the Santa Ana police officer's actions?

His nephew's testimony. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What common misconception is highlighted regarding police officers who engage in unethical conduct?

They can be mistaken for typical workers' ethical lapses. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following was a reason for the firing of some officers involved in the raid?

Participation in corrupt activities. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What was Michael Slager charged with?

Murder of Walter Scott (A) Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of the state proceedings against Slager?

Mistrial (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which commission was led by Frank Serpico's whistleblowing efforts?

The Knapp Commission (B) Signup and view all the answers

How is the problem of police corruption often characterized?

Vertical (A) Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'blue curtain' refer to in the context of police corruption?

The secrecy upheld among police officers (A) Signup and view all the answers

What was the public's reaction to Frank Serpico's actions?

Mixed opinions (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following does NOT represent a type of police misconduct mentioned?

Racial profiling (C) Signup and view all the answers

What potential issue complicates identifying police corruption?

Involvement of other officers and cover-ups (A) Signup and view all the answers

What factors contribute to police corruption according to Murphy and Caplan?

Lax community standards and lack of support from prosecutors (D) Signup and view all the answers

What mixed messages do police receive from the public regarding law enforcement?

They need to tolerate certain crimes while enforcing others (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the public's general expectation regarding police enforcement of laws?

Police can operate outside the law when handling social problems (A) Signup and view all the answers

How does the community's perception of crime affect police authority?

Police authority may become oppressive if they do not represent all groups (C) Signup and view all the answers

What rationalization do some police use when accepting bribes or protection money?

Public tolerance towards certain law-breaking is a justification (C) Signup and view all the answers

How is the role of police as enforcers described in a pluralistic society?

They are often seen as enforcing community values above laws (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of public acceptance of extra-legal actions by police?

Extra-legal measures may be used in a wider range of situations (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the fundamental justification for police power in society?

Police represent the public and can use coercive force accordingly (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the most common reason for police officer termination according to the study by Fyfe and Kane?

Failed drug test (A) Signup and view all the answers

What process must law enforcement agencies provide to officers regarding drug testing?

Notification of policies and procedures (D) Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of officers in protective services reported heavy alcohol use?

8 percent (D) Signup and view all the answers

How do officers typically respond to a colleague who is intoxicated on duty?

They may isolate themselves from the intoxicated officer (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following reflects the comparison of heavy alcohol use among different professions?

Construction workers have the highest reported alcohol use (B) Signup and view all the answers

What type of misconduct is more frequently reported involving police officers as opposed to female officers?

Sexual extortion from female citizens (D) Signup and view all the answers

What ethical dilemma do officers face concerning intoxicated colleagues?

Whether to take official action against intoxicated officers (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the legal basis courts use to uphold drug testing in law enforcement agencies?

Balancing test between government interest and individual rights (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of the management cop subculture as described by Reuss-Ianni?

Decision-making based on modern management principles (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is suggested to significantly reduce incidents of police misconduct?

Close supervision by mid-level managers (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is a common perception among rank-and-file police officers regarding administrators?

They are often seen as capricious and out of touch. (C) Signup and view all the answers

How does role modeling by leaders affect police officer behavior according to the findings discussed?

It has a significant role in limiting interpersonal unethical conduct. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What are the two main types of corruption discussed?

Financial and interpersonal corruption (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary cause of alienation among street cops in the two cultures of policing?

Conflicting values between management and street cops (B) Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant finding about police departments with lower corruption rates?

They practice ethical behavior on a day-to-day basis. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of supervision is indicated to control financial corruption effectively?

Strictness in supervision (A) Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Police Misconduct

Economic corruption includes actions like taking bribes or stealing from crime scenes, which are fundamentally criminal acts rather than ethical dilemmas.
Abuse of authority occurs when officers misuse their power, such as extorting sex from victims or committing violent acts while on duty.

Notable Cases

Michael Slager was charged with unlawfully killing Walter Scott, leading to federal charges after a mistrial.
Frank Serpico, an iconic whistleblower, exposed corruption in the NYPD and was later shot under suspicious circumstances linked to his actions.
The “blue curtain” refers to a code among officers that protects colleagues, often shielding corrupt individuals from accountability.

Instances of Corruption

In Santa Ana, an officer was recorded selling weapons and collaborating with a drug cartel, resulting in numerous allegations against multiple officers.
Officers involved in illegal activities often face administrative consequences, with some appealing their firings.

Gratuities and Substance Abuse

Gratuities involve receiving value due to an officer’s position, with periodic drug testing established to combat substance abuse in law enforcement.
Heavy alcohol use is reported among 8% of protective service workers; however, the social acceptance of alcohol complicates enforcement against it.

Sexual Misconduct

Some male officers exploit their authority to demand sexual favors, with egregious cases leading to rapes and cover-ups by supervisors.
There exists a distrust among officers toward management, leading to a protective mentality among rank-and-file members.

Leadership and Corruption

Corruption often implicates high-level officials; departments with ethical leaders report reduced instances of misconduct.
Close supervision, particularly by mid-level managers, positively influences officer behavior and reduces unethical actions.

Societal Influences on Corruption

Lax community standards on behaviors such as gambling or prostitution contribute to police corruption, as officers receive mixed messages regarding enforcement.
Public tolerance for certain illegal activities can lead to rationalizations among officers for bending the law or engaging in corrupt practices.
The expectation for police to address social issues often leads to calls for extra-legal methods, which can perpetuate a culture of corruption.

Critical Theory

Police legitimacy is undermined if officers do not represent all community groups equitably, leading to potential oppression.
The perception of police authority is heavily influenced by community expectations regarding crime control versus individual rights.

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Description

This quiz explores the interactions between police, justice, and law in the context of corruption. You'll examine real-world examples to understand the nuances of law enforcement responses. Test your knowledge and enhance your understanding of this crucial societal issue.