How is police corruption defined?

Police corruption is defined as the misuse of authority by a police officer. This definition encompasses a variety of corrupt practices, which can include bribery, extortion, and other forms of unethical behavior that violate the trust placed in law enforcement officers. This misuse of authority undermines the integrity of the police force and erodes public confidence in law enforcement.

While financial gain and personal gain can certainly be outcomes of corrupt practices, defining corruption strictly by these outcomes does not capture the broader scope of what constitutes police misconduct. The essence of police corruption lies in the violation of the ethical and legal responsibilities that officers have towards the community and the law. Ineffectiveness in handling crime reports, while a significant issue, does not fall under the umbrella of corruption as it pertains to the intentional misuse of power for illicit purposes. Therefore, identifying police corruption specifically as the misuse of authority clarifies the nature of the misconduct and the seriousness of the issue within the justice system.