The most dangerous aspect of the "rotten apple" theory of police corruption is that police commanders ______.

Question

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The "rotten apple" theory suggests that police corruption is caused by a few individuals within the department who are "bad apples". This theory is dangerous because it leads police commanders to believe that only a few individuals need to be dealt with, rather than understanding that corruption can be systemic and structural within the department or precinct. This leads to a lack of strong proactive measures to eradicate corruption throughout the department, which allows corruption to continue unchecked. Additionally, commanders who believe in the "rotten apple" theory may only arrest one or a few corrupt officers as an example to others, rather than addressing the underlying issues that contribute to corruption. Meanwhile, small discounts or freebies from local businesses are generally considered minor issues that are not seen as corrupt behavior.

The Most Dangerous Aspect of the "Rotten Apple" Theory of Police