Police Corruption, Misconduct, and Brutality Essay

Police Corruption, Misconduct, and Brutality - Essay Example The reason for this is associated with the fact that the nature of police work is a fertile ground for growth of corruption. Walker and Katz (2011) note that, police corruption is as old as policing itself and is not limited to the present day. His argument is supported by Sherman, who argued that police corruption has been in existence as long as have there been the police. Goldstein also cites that corruption is prevalent to policing and that the nature of police work is bound to force police officers to tempting bribes. The first police corruption was reported in 1970s in New York by Knapp Commission, from which two types of corrupt officers were identified. These include the grass-eaters and meat-eaters. It was observed that grass-eaters are very submissive and accepts any kind of bribe offered to them. Meat-eaters, on the other hand, are so aggressive and will always look out for opportunities to exploit for their own financial gains. However, research reveals that most corrupt officers in the US are grass-eaters. Some forms of police corruptions having been reported are those ripping off drug dealers or dealing drugs themselves. Others receive bribes to cover evidence while others have been convicted for covering their own acts of torture, brutality and murder (Dempsey and Forst, 2010). One case involving police corruption is that Joseph Miedzianowski, a former Chicago police officer who has entered the history books as one of the most corrupt corps in America’s history. During his 22 years of work as an officer in Chicago, Miedzianowski was accused of having planted guns and drugs on suspects, brutally tortured them with hot coat hanger and even hit them using lead-knuckled gloves, steeling their drugs, and other possessions. During his trial, he was also accused of fixing criminal cases against his gang members, and secured their release from prisons for sexual rendezvous with girl friends. He was also convicted of having assisted wanted criminal s flee the state, supplied guns, and ammunitions to gang members. The other count leveled against him in court was that he betrayed his workmates by undermining investigations of his gang members and telling them to burglarize the homes of corps’ and steel their guns (Lighty, 2003). Outcome of the case Despite initially denying the charges, Miedzianowski later confessed of having been guilty of the charges and was convicted for 10 counts including conspiracy, drug and racketeering in April 2001. The federal judge then sentenced him to life imprisonment (Lighty, 2003). My position regarding the outcome I agree with the charges handed to Miedzianowski. The reason being, investigations conducted proved beyond the reasonable doubt that the accused was involved in the alleged corruption and misconduct. Therefore, handing him life sentence was the best since it will make other police officers and citizens stop engaging in corruption, knowing very well that if convicted, they may al so be incarcerated for life. Police Misconduct in USA Police misconduct refers to illegal and improper actions on the part of the police officer. Police officers are expected to adhere to ethical principles set to them. In addition, police officers should be role models in showing exemplary behavior to the rest of society. Police officers should understand that they are not above the law; they can be prosecuted when they engage in improper behavior. In most cases, police conduct arises due to abuse of