Question 1

______ pertains to various situations in which officers circumvent the law to serve what they perceive to be the greater good.

Accepted Answer

Noble cause corruption refers to misconduct committed by police officers with the intention of achieving a just outcome. It involves officers bending or breaking the law to ensure that justice is served, according to their own understanding of what that entails.

Question 2

Which investigation into police corruption is cited for highlighting resultant negative publicity for the department as a reason why officers fear retaliation from administrators for reporting corruption?

Accepted Answer

The Mollen Commission is cited for highlighting the negative publicity that can result from investigations into police corruption, which in turn makes officers fear retaliation from administrators for reporting such corruption.

Question 3

Which of the following was identified as particularly difficult among the police?

Accepted Answer

Whistleblowing is identified as particularly difficult among the police due to the strong culture of loyalty and the potential repercussions from peers and superiors for breaking the code of silence.

Question 4

For police departments that have exceedingly long waiting lists of qualified individuals aspiring to be police officers, which of the following tactics would be easiest to implement in order to reduce and prevent corruption?

Accepted Answer

Selective recruitment allows departments to choose candidates with high ethical standards, directly addressing corruption by ensuring only those with integrity are hired.

Question 5

______ are specially trained officers who obtain intelligence regarding corrupt police practices.

Accepted Answer

Field associates are specially trained officers who gather intelligence on corrupt police practices.

Question 6

Which of the following techniques is used to disrupt possible misconduct?

Accepted Answer

Rotating personnel across shifts and geographic assignments is a technique used to prevent officers from becoming too comfortable or potentially corrupt in a single area by disrupting possible patterns of misconduct.

Question 7

Which of the following terms refers to the practice of identifying officers whose behavior is problematic, intervening to correct the problem behavior, and monitoring the intervention of those who have received it?

Accepted Answer

Early intervention programs are designed to identify officers who exhibit behaviors that could indicate potential problems or issues. These programs aim to intervene early to correct these behaviors and monitor the officers after intervention to ensure they are following the correct protocols and standards.

Question 8

All of the following were identified as ways to improve relationships with the public EXCEPT for ______.

Accepted Answer

Using a crime-fighting strategy is more focused on reducing crime rather than directly improving relationships with the public. Ride-along programs, citizen police academies, and neighborhood watch programs are specifically designed to engage the community and foster positive relationships.

Question 9

All of the following are functions performed by internal affairs divisions within police departments EXCEPT for ______.

Accepted Answer

Internal affairs divisions typically do not conduct all background checks of officers prior to their hire; this is usually handled by the human resources or recruitment division.

Question 10

The most significant impact of police misconduct is the suspicion and distrust that results.

Accepted Answer

Police misconduct can significantly undermine public trust and confidence in law enforcement, leading to suspicion and distrust among the community. This erosion of trust can make it more difficult for police to effectively do their jobs and can harm community-police relations.

Question 11

Meat eater is a term coined by the Knapp Commission to describe an officer who engages widely in corrupt and unlawful practices during the performance of his or her duties.

Accepted Answer

The term "meat eater" was indeed coined by the Knapp Commission to describe police officers who actively engage in serious corruption and criminal activities, as opposed to "grass eaters" who might passively accept favors or small bribes.

Question 12

Grass eaters is a term coined by the Knapp Commission to refer to officers who engage in minor acts of corrupt practices (e.g., acceptance of gratuities) and passively accept the wrongdoings of other officers.

Accepted Answer

The term "grass eaters" was indeed coined by the Knapp Commission to describe police officers who engage in passive corruption, such as accepting small bribes or gratuities, and do not actively pursue corrupt activities but will not refuse them if presented.

Question 13

Corruption occurs when a police officer acts in a manner that places his or her personal gain ahead of duty, resulting in the violation of police procedures, criminal law, or both.

Accepted Answer

Corruption in the police force involves actions where officers prioritize their personal interests over their professional duties, leading to breaches of police protocols, criminal laws, or both. This can include accepting bribes, engaging in illegal activities, or other forms of misconduct that undermine the integrity of the police service.

Question 14

The Lexow Commission is an investigative group appointed by a coalition of concerned citizens and good-government groups.

Accepted Answer

The Lexow Commission was appointed by a coalition of concerned citizens and good-government groups.

Question 15

Frank Serpico brought to light police corruption in New York City, and the Serpico Commission investigation that followed uncovered widespread corruption among officers of all ranks.

Accepted Answer

The investigation into police corruption in New York City, which Frank Serpico helped to expose, led to the formation of the Knapp Commission, not the Serpico Commission.

Question 16

Some departments were built on corrupt foundations.

Accepted Answer

Many departments, across various sectors and countries, have historically been established or influenced by corrupt practices, impacting their foundational integrity and operational ethics.

Question 17

The Mollen Commission was created by former New York City mayor Rudolph Giuliani in 1994. The charge of the committee was to investigate allegations of misconduct, analyze the effectiveness of anticorruption mechanisms within the department, and offer recommendations for improvement.

Accepted Answer

The Mollen Commission was created by former New York City mayor Rudolph Giuliani in 1994.

Question 18

The reluctance to report wrongdoing is referred to as malfeasance.

Accepted Answer

Malfeasance refers to the performance of an act that is illegal or wrongful, not the reluctance to report wrongdoing. The reluctance to report wrongdoing is often referred to as the "bystander effect" or "whistleblower reluctance."

Question 19

Malfeasance refers to the reluctance of most police officers to report wrongdoings committed by their coworkers.

Accepted Answer

Malfeasance refers to the performance of an act that is illegal or wrongful, especially by a public official, not the reluctance to report such acts.

Question 20

Misfeasance refers to taking inappropriate action or intentionally given incorrect information.

Accepted Answer

Misfeasance refers to taking inappropriate action, not intentionally giving incorrect information.

Quiz 11: Police Misconduct and Accountability