Unethical Police Operations. Ch. 7: The Police: Issues and Challenges Ethics and Corruption Issue 2

Unethical Police Operations
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Institution of affiliation
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Unethical Police Operations
The Police is any Body of persons or institutions charged with the maintenance of law and order in a given territory. The Police accrues its powers from the Sovereign in a Monarchy and in a democracy its powers come directly from the people. The government as the organ that exercises authority of the people, delegates its powers to the Police. The Police in many instances is the only body that has a legitimate mandate to utilize force. In many nations, the use of force is seen as a monopoly of the government. CITATION Dar11 \l 1033 (Stephens, 2011) The government through the Police utilizes this mandate in instances where public safety is threatened or to restore the status quo. The instances within which the Police can use force are specified in the United States. These are however delegated to each individual states. This is important noting that the States are independent government. The Federal Government has no mandate to interfere in the running of State Police Department unless in instances where there is a contravention of Federal Law CITATION Dar11 \l 1033 (Stephens, 2011).
Police have in recent years been continuously accused of being unethical in the manner with which they conduct their duties. Police have argued that these are separate incidences and do not in essence denote the general attitude of the Police. This paper will concern itself with the dissection of issues of ethics in regard to the Police. The paper will delve into specific issues namely; police corruption, police misconduct, and police brutality. The paper will attempt to determine how widespread these issues are in the Police and the possible ameliorative measures.
Extent of Unethical Practices in the United States.
Police Corruption
Police corruption can take on a number of forms. The major form being abuse of power resulting in the officer enjoying a profit from the misuse of his statutory powers. Police do this by soliciting and accepting bribes from private citizens and business CITATION Tim99 \l 1033 (Newburn, 1999). These bribes are received in exchange for the police not reporting crimes or other illegal activities. In some instances police officers can threaten citizens with fabricated charges should they fail to cooperate with their schemes. Corruption also occurs where officers flout their code of conduct in order to secure convictions. Officers in this instance either falsify evidence, procure false witnesses or perjure themselves in court. This occurs where officers are unable to secure convictions based on the merit of the case or due to their incompetence. Police may also engage in selective enforcement of the law CITATION Tim99 \l 1033 (Newburn, 1999). Other forms of corruption by Police Officers include; extortions, theft, direct criminal activities etc.
Police Misconduct
Police misconduct occurs where officers take illegal actions when conducting their duties in their line of work. Police misconduct results in miscarriage of justice or obstruction of justice. Examples of police misconduct include; Falsifying confessions, statements, arrests and evidence. Surveillance without warrants, tampering with witnesses, rac...