A Capstone research presentation in partial fulfillment for the Associates of

applied science degree in Criminal Justice at Kaplan College

Tyson Lee

POLICE CORRUPTION IN AMERICA

Corruption is the dishonest act or unlawful behavior of a person or group in power.

What is Corruption?

Corruption exists everywhere in society. Retail Stores Restaurants School All various businesses that has some sort

of power within Corruption does exist in Law

enforcement and is also a prevalent issue today.

Does it exist in Law Enforcement?

There are various issues that can lead a law enforcement agency into police corruption. These issues are usually publicized on the news or social media.

America generalize what they see on television and on social media.

Good Cops are usually not recognized as much by the public.

However, Bad Cops are usually the one seen on the news and social media.

Therefore, the public will generalize majority of all cops as bad cops.

Issues leading to Police

Corruption

Main Issues: Excessive Force Brutality Drug Involvement Bribery Abuse of Power

Issues leading to Police

Corruption

Brutality is defined as the act or behavior that is cruel or physically violent.

California Highway Patrol v. Pinnock Case: Homeless Women Beaten in public Excessive Force was used Resulted in $1.5 million settlement

Police Brutality

Bribery refers to the offering, giving, soliciting, or receiving of any item of value as a means of influencing the actions of an individual holding a public or legal duty.

Miami Police Dept v. Quintanilla Sgt. Quintanilla charged with attempting

to affect commerce by extortion. Assisted undercover drug dealer with

cocaine Accepted a bribe for $3,500

Police Bribery and Drug

Involvement

Abuse of Power: The act of using one's position of power in an abusive way.

Hawaii Police Dept. v. Morre Officer Vince Morre beats 2 young man

without a legitimate reason. Walks into a game room to find a suspect

of another crime. Beats and kicks the two man while

entering and leaving the room.

Police Abuse of Power

Academic theory proposed by James Q. Wilson and George Kelling in 1982.

They believed that serious crimes were the final results of a lengthier chain of events.

Theorized that minor crimes leads to serious crimes

Statistics from the

implementation of the Broken

Windows Theory

“Zero Tolerance

Policing Policy” was

created which basically involves

cracking down on minor

offenses in the hope of

reducing major crime

However, Police misconduct rates

have risen.

Why?

POLICE CORRUPTION

Brutality Excessive Force Bribery Drug Involvement & Misc

- Caused by aggressive policing

- Showing who’s in power

- Public disorderly conduct

- Minimal consequences

- Caused by aggressive policing

- Showing who’s in power

- Public disorderly conduct

- Minimal consequences

- Caused by abuse of power

- Temptation of money

- Sexual Pleasure

- Low-Paid Officers

- Caused by abuse of power

- Temptation of money

- Future flow of income

-Low-Paid Officer

Policy Implication:

1. Proper police training2. Non-Violent

Scenario Training

3. Annual Classes

4. Advance Supervision on

Patrolling Officers

5.Enforce community

policing

Any Questions?Thank You!