Government Enforcement Has Been Active Since The Beginning...

Corruption in law enforcement has been active since the beginning of this occupation. Certain characteristics of policing have changed throughout its years, but corruption is not one of them. In actuality, this phenomenon has increased significantly throughout its years. We are seeing more and more officers being arrested now. These arrests do not include the hundreds of officers that have not been caught. Police corruption can generally be defined as using one’s authority and power as a police to gain and benefit illicitly (Wilson et. al, 1977). Some officers become corrupted as early as the academy or as late as years into their career. Many are not even aware that the acts they are involved in are forms of corruption. Some acts may†¦show more content†¦Accepting minor gifts is a form of corruption and is often looked at as harmless because it allows the community to show their appreciation to the officers. Unfortunately however, certain codes of conduct prohibit an y kind of gifts or gratuities for whatever reason. For example, the International Association of Chiefs of Police Law Enforcement Code of Conduct states, ‘I will enforce the law courteously and appropriately without fear or favor, malice or ill will, never employing unnecessary force or violence and never accepting gratuities’ (2004, p. 45). Nonfederal officers do not see coffee or discount meals as an issue. They look at it as one of the outlying perks of being a police. But little did they know, this does raise an ethical issue because the officers are then placed in a position where the vendor would expect favors or extra service in the future. Although it is ethical and acceptable to be given a small item such an engraved pen for working a term on a specific duty or an alcohol free beverage for interviewing a victim, frequent gifts should not be accepted (Coleman, 2004, p. 42). Gifts or certain hospitalities that can be accepted should have little to no value or wou ld not cause a conflict of interest later down the line. Also, the item should not be given in a scene where normal payment would be accepted. For example, an officer should not accept free snacks or coffee from a convenient store, but if an