Police misconduct

Police misconduct refers to inappropriate conduct or illegal actions taken by officers during their official duties. This behavior can range from minor policy violations to serious criminal acts. Misconduct is a significant issue because it can lead to a miscarriage of justice. It can also result in the obstruction of justice, where the legal process is blocked. When officers act wrongly, it affects how the public views the law.

There are many specific ways that misconduct manifests in policing. Some officers engage in corruption, such as bribing or lobbying officials. They might lobby to keep laws that give police excessive power. Other officers might lobby for laws that make "victimless" acts ticketable to generate more money. There is also a concept called noble cause corruption. This occurs when an officer believes a good outcome justifies using bad methods. Other forms include sexual misconduct, perjury, or the falsification of evidence.

Misconduct is often categorized by how it affects different groups or systems. Selective enforcement is a type where officers target people they dislike. This is frequently linked to racial discrimination and profiling. Misconduct can also happen off-duty, such as using a police ID to get discounts. Some officers may also be influenced by drugs or alcohol while on duty. The culture of a police agency can also play a large role. For example, the "blue code of silence" describes a culture where officers do not report each other. A 2019 study in the journal Nature found that one officer's misconduct increases the likelihood of peer misconduct.

History shows that many officers have faced investigations for these actions. In the United States, at least 85,000 officers have been investigated for misconduct. Nearly 2,500 of these officers were investigated on 10 or more separate charges. Some individuals, like Arturo Durazo Moreno, have faced arrest for their roles in misconduct.

Research also shows a connection between education and behavior. Studies indicate that higher education levels are negatively correlated to misconduct. This means better-educated officers tend to receive fewer complaints on average.

Misconduct carries a heavy financial cost for cities and taxpayers. Between 2004 and 2014, Chicago spent $521 million on misconduct settlements. Other large cities have also paid massive amounts of money. New York City paid $348 million between 2006 and 2011. Los Angeles spent $101 million from 2002 to 2011. Philadelphia paid $54.3 million between 2010 and 2014. In a five-year period, the ten largest U.S. cities spent over $1.4 billion on settlements.

Technology has changed how misconduct is discovered and recorded. Many citizens now use mobile devices to film police activities. This video often reaches the public through social media or YouTube. While this increases accountability, some officers have responded with intimidation. Some have even tried to illegally seize or delete civilian recordings. In the past, places like Illinois had laws that made recording police a felony. However, a 2012 court ruling found such laws likely violated free speech. Now, officers in public places generally have no reasonable expectation of privacy.

Many departments are now implementing body-worn cameras (BWCs) to address these issues. These cameras record what an officer sees and hears during their shift. Some studies suggest BWCs can reduce citizen complaints and use of force. A study of 516 organizations found that BWC usage is negatively associated with police victimization. This means cameras might help prevent violence against officers. However, not all departments adopt this technology. Some agencies cite concerns about cost, privacy, or a lack of leadership support.