Deck 16: Controlling the Police

Question 1

There is no single, generally accepted definition of police corruption.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

The acceptance of free or discount merchandise or services by officers is known as:

A) mooching
B) shopping
C) chiseling
D) shakedown

Answer 2

A

Question 3

According to the definition of corruption given in the text, which of the following is a corrupt activity?

A) perjury by an officer
B) acceptance of discounts or free merchandise
C) premeditated theft
D) all of the above

Answer 3

A

Question 4

Most definitions of police corruption include a misuse of police authority. A second component would be that this misuse:

A) causes harm
B) is intentional
C) is illegal
D) none of the above

Question 5

Goldstein suggests that the most important source of control over police corruption is the police administrator.

Question 6

The majority of police agencies operating drug- testing programs for officers indicate that positive test results will lead to:

A) dismissal from the department
B) assignment to desk duty
C) mandatory counseling
D) referral to counseling

Question 7

One method of controlling police misconduct which is internal to the police agency is the professional model where:

A) officers are closely supervised
B) detailed rules and regulations are developed
C) only qualified and trained officers are employed
D) all of the above

Question 8

Opportunities for corruption in American policing are:

A) tightly controlled
B) infrequent
C) frequent
D) defined by law

Question 9

Media portrayals of policing usually depict realistic views of the officer's ability to control force.

Question 10

In some ways, police are held to a higher moral standard than other citizens.

Question 11

Control of police conduct and misconduct is hampered by:

A) police opposition to citizen control
B) the isolation of police from citizens
C) lack of close supervision of officers
D) all of the above

Question 12

The best method of controlling police misconduct is probably:

A) civil liability lawsuits
B) a combination of internal and external controls
C) external controls
D) controls internal to the organization

Question 13

Studies of police decision making have generally found that individual officers do NOT discriminate on the basis of:

A) gender
B) age
C) race
D) all of the above

Question 14

Control of the police and of police exercise of discretion is a relatively new concern in American policing.

Question 15

Research indicates that much police misconduct such as bribery and brutality originates with the:

A) citizen's behavior
B) officer's personality
C) department's regulations
D) legal standards

Question 16

In a police department where most officers engage in corrupt activities, but do so as individuals or in small groups, the type of corruption is called:

A) organized pervasive
B) rotten apples and rotten pockets
C) unorganized pervasive
D) none of the above

Question 17

In general, controls on police misconduct, which are internal to the police agency:

A) are insulated from citizen input
B) have the potential for dishonesty
C) are not trusted by citizens
D) all of the above

Question 18

Officers who aggressively seek out opportunities for corruption and receive graft are known as:

A) rotten
B) grass eaters
C) meat eaters
D) rogues

Question 19

Sherman suggests that police corruption is likely in a community characterized by:

A) diversity in population and economic opportunity
B) elected officials having a public regarding ethos
C) consensus on values and norms
D) none of the above

Question 20

Police brutality is the use of force which is:

A) uncontrolled
B) unnecessary
C) deadly
D) all of the above

Question 21

The reactive nature of American policing suggests that police arrest decisions will reflect social patterns of discrimination.

Question 22

Corrupt officers often distinguish between graft that is dirty and that which is clean.

Question 23

Citizen complaints of brutality are often based on officer threats or bullying.

Question 24

Substance abuse by police officers that occurs off duty is not grounds for disciplinary action.

Question 25

Researchers have estimated that fewer than 10 percent of police officers have alcohol abuse problems.

Question 26

Police discretion is a contributing factor to police corruption, or a source of corruption.

Question 27

Police officers are expected to discriminate and must do so to maintain order.

Question 28

Some Sources of control on police misconduct are external to the police agency such as an internal affairs unit.

Question 29

The actual use of physical force is a common occurrence in everyday policing in America.

Question 30

A burglary ring of police officers is an example of pervasive, organized corruption.