Police corruption describes the abuse of authority by police officers for purposes of personal gains. Police corruption may involve profit-seeking motives or any other form of material benefits that are gained illegally by misuse of the officer’s authority. The typical forms of police corruption include bribery as the most common form. Then there is extortion, sale of illegal commodities such as drugs, and the receipt or protection of stolen items.
As the case relates to the correctional systems, corruption may be in the form of tampering or distortion of evidence against criminals, false and embellished reports to protect some suspects, the abuse and misuse of arresting poser, discriminatory enforcement of law and order, and cases of false arrests and imprisonment. While these amount to the major cases of corruption evidence in the correctional systems, other factors such as excessive use of force by the police and brutality against inmates and suspects are also closely linked to corruption in the police and correctional systems. As some officers attempt to explain the use of excessive force and brutality, the vices are closely linked to procedural failures in the entire justice system where a criminal gets exonerated. Nonetheless, police corruption and all related vices are not permissible irrespective of the ends. This is as would be recommended by Immanuel Kant as per the deontological ethics framework which requires doing the right thing since it is universally right.
Key recommendations to address the corruption occurring in the police and correctional systems
· Safeguard against police misconduct through the enforcement of the law
There are federal and state laws that seek to safeguard the society against police corruption and misconduct. The federal laws apply impartially to all states and they encompass criminal and civil cases. It is recommended that the enforcement of the laws be prioritized.
· Enable private litigation against the police force and all related departments
The litigation process against the disciplined forces is not only difficult but also dangerous for private citizens. The government should establish protocols that protect citizens in such litigation procedures.
· Redefine the defense of immunity
Police and correctional systems are protected by the defense of immunity. The government needs to redefine immunity for the police and correctional systems to help reduce its misuse.
· Strengthen and protect civil unions fighting against police corruption and misconduct.
There are civil unions that vouch for the rights of civilians. The government should seeks measures of strengthening them through funding in addition to offering state protection.
· Enforce the code of conduct for police and correctional systems’ members
The police force and allied correctional systems establish coded of conduct. Often, the codes of conduct are established in liaison with civil rights unions meaning that if well enforced, the police force is likely to become more disciplined. The critical factor in the enforcement is the need for an independent enforcement team for the code of conduct and this should be independent from the police force.
Outline for the Final Paper
1.0 Introduction
1.1 History of corruption and misconduct in the police and correctional systems
1.2 Difference between police misconduct and police corruption
1.3 Current state of police corruption in the town
1.4 Major forms of police corruption
1.5 Legal background
2.0 Dealing with corruption of police and correctional systems
2.1 Examples from other nations/states
2.2 Legal and Ethical perspectives
3.0 Summary, Conclusion, and Recommendations
4.0 References