Anti-corruption and police reform
Abstract
Query
Which are feasible, systemic AC-measures in the context of police reform? What are typical entry points to reduce susceptibility to corruption? Are there any practical guides or checklists? Can measures or entry points be differentiated after types of police: traffic police, border police, special police forces, etc. Are there any lessons learned from international donors’ experiences?
Summary
Addressing police corruption is essential to maintain the rule of law, to support the legitimacy of the state and to restore public trust in democratic processes. Since the powers entrusted to law enforcement officers can be easily manipulated, there are many linkages between police corruption and human right abuses that can further undermine internal security. Police corruption manifests itself in a variety of ways, all of which require different types of anti-corruption interventions. Experience suggests that for anti-corruption strategies to be successful and comprehensive they need to be embedded in the broader framework of democratic institution-building. Such strategies usually integrate preventative approaches aimed at decreasing incentives for corruption with punitive approaches that increase the cost of engaging in corrupt practices. The main focus is typically on issues of enforcement, institutional change as well as public education and participation.
Citation
Chêne, M. Anti-corruption and police reform. U4 Anti-Corruption Resource Centre, CMI, Bergen, Norway (2010) 10 pp. [U4 Expert Answer 247]
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