Police corruption
From ArticleWorld
A police officer is a person who works for a police force. It usually only refers to those who have been sworn in as law enforcement officers, and does not include civilian support personnel. Police are employed by society to maintain order, but by dealing largely with disorderly elements of the society, people working in police often gradually develop an attitude or sense of authority over the society. The growing number of investigated cases of police brutality is usually attributed not to increased awareness within police ranks, but merely to more widespread use of video cameras. Police misconduct refers to brutality, corruption or other objectionable actions taken by police officers in connection with their official duties.
Police corruption is a specific form of police misconduct sometimes involving political corruption, and generally designed to gain a financial or political benefit for a police officer or officers in exchange for not pursuing, or selectively pursuing, an investigation or arrest. An example is police officers accepting bribes in exchange for not reporting organized drug or prostitution rings or other illegal activities.
Use of force and authority by police regarding to certain social groups can in some cases be - or be perceived to be - disproportionate. Differences in race, religion, politics, and socioeconomic status between police and the citizenry can contribute to the creation of a relationship in which a significant number of police officers view the population (or a particular subset thereof) as generally deserving punishment while these portions of the population view the police as oppressors.
In some cases the police can be seen as siding with or against a government on political issues. For example during the Quebec City Summit of the Americas in 2001, it was believed by the anti-globalists that the police were defending the capitalist objectives of the summit participants, but many people viewed those anti-globalists' actions as unreasonable and destructive. Another example is when, in March 2006, masked Kenyan police attacked a media outlet during the midst of a government corruption scandal; see Corruption in Kenya for details. False arrest is a common law tort, where a plaintiff alleges he or she was held in custody without probable cause or an order issued by a court of appropriate jurisdiction. Although it is possible to sue law enforcement officials for false arrest, the usual defendants in such cases are private security firms.
Any person may arrest someone suspected of committing a felony or indictable offence, as long as they believe the suspect is attempting to flee the scene of the felony. A person cannot be arrested on suspicion of committing a felony well after the fact unless the arresting officer possesses an arrest warrant.
Police corruption can involve a single officer or group of officers, or can be the standard practice of entire police precincts or departments. In most major cities there are internal affairs sections to investigate suspected police corruption or misconduct. However, sometimes the corruption is so widespread that investigation requires an external body with far reaching powers, such as a Royal Commission.
In USA cases of police brutality are investigated by internal police commissions, District Attorneys, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Internal police commissions are often criticized as being biased in favor of the officers in question, as they frequently declare upon review that the officer(s) acted within the Department's rules, or according to the training. Additionally, the ability of District Attorneys to effectively investigate police brutality is called into question, as DA's strongly depend on help from Police Departments to bring cases to trial. In contrast, the FBI is believed by many to be objective in its work in this area, but it investigates only a fraction of suspect cases of police brutality.
Prisoner abuse is the mistreatment of persons while they are under arrest or incarcerated.Allegations have been made that U.S. or Coalition guards routinely abused prisoners at the Abu Ghraib prison - even tortured them. Regarding prisoners held at the Guantanamo Bay, Rep. Duncan Hunter, chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, has shown food that is similar to what is served there, "purchased for them by American taxpayers" - in order to dispel allegations that the prisoners had been abused or tortured.
Various community groups have addressed police brutality and have worked to engender change in police behavior in their communities. These groups often stress the need for oversight by independent citizen review boards and other methods of ensuring accountability for police action. Copwatch is a U.S.-based network of organizations that actively monitors and videotapes the police to prevent police brutality. Umbrella organizations including the October 22nd Coalition to Stop Police Brutality, Repression, and the Criminalization of a Generation and justice committees (often named after a deceased individual or those victimized by police violence) usually engage in a solidarity of those affected.
The Amnesty International 2005 report on human rights alleges widespread police misconduct in many countries. Some notable countries include Canada, the UK, France, the USA, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
Amnesty International (commonly known as Amnesty or AI) is an international, non-governmental organization with the stated purpose of promoting all the human rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international standards. In particular, Amnesty International campaigns to free all prisoners of conscience; to ensure fair and prompt trials for political prisoners; to abolish the death penalty, torture, and other treatment of prisoners it regards as cruel; to end political killings and forced disappearances; and to oppose all human rights abuses, whether by governments or by other groups.
Police corruption can involve a single officer or group of officers, or can be the standard practice of entire police precincts or departments. In most major cities there are internal affairs sections to investigate suspected police corruption or misconduct. However, sometimes the corruption is so widespread that investigation requires an external body with far reaching powers, such as a Royal Commission.