Garth Rattray, Contributor
WHY ARE some cops corrupt, while others serve with dignity, efficiency and sacrifice? Several concerned members of the constabulary have given me their frank opinions of this vexing problem. They feel that many factors are at work.
First of all, the recruiting pool is badly tainted. Young aspirants come from a corrupt and violent society where the 'good guys' seem to finish last. A lot of powerful, rich, famous and 'respectable' people are involved in illegal activities and/or make a living through social and political alliances. They set a very bad example for the youths of the country.
INTRACTABLE NEGATIVE SOCIALISATION
Some recruits suffer from intractable negative socialisation. A few months of discipline and talks on ethics at the Police Academy cannot undo years of deleterious inculcation. Some cops are bad from the start and once they enter into an environment conducive to their nefarious ways, they proceed to augment their income the best way that they know how. It is also believed that some rogue cops start out decent and honest but succumb to the pressures of life, the job and crooked colleagues.
It was explained to me that once an individual becomes a member of the police force, he/she can no longer live in communities subjugated by the gun; their lives would be forfeit. They must secure safer (much more expensive) housing, and this takes money. The mode of dress and deportment of all our policemen and women (on or off duty) are constantly under scrutiny by the public and their superiors. As a result of this, cops must find the money to dress appropriately at all times and present themselves in a way commensurate with their status as peace officers.
Most government employees find their basic everyday living expenses to be exorbitant. Cops not only have to survive in the lower to middle substrata of a middle class society, but as respected people within their community, they must also give the appearance of upward mobility.
It is downright embarrassing for a policeman or woman to appear financially embarrassed. Some cops find it extremely unfair that they are inadequately remunerated for risking their lives for a society saturated with corruption, so they perform illicit tasks (like so many people do) to close the financial gap.
Because the job sometimes requires placements away from home, many policemen form alternative romantic attachments. These relationships often lead to progeny and the added responsibilities of the baby mother(s) and the children. There is also no denying that some women find the power and discipline of uniformed men appealing and bombard them with amorous proposals that are exceedingly difficult to resist. Consequently, some cops carry a heavy financial burden that must be met.
SIMPLY GREEDY
Others are simply greedy or perhaps they find the peer pressure (from errant 'squaddies') too overwhelming and yield to the rackets within the force, first by turning a blind eye and then by personal involvement to gain trust and to reap the financial rewards that illegal police activity brings. Some receive subtle or outright threats, and not wanting to become the victim of an 'accidental firearm discharge' in the guard room, or the victim of an apparent random violent act, they acquiesce and remain silent or play the corruption game to keep healthy.
Corruption will always permeate every walk of life, but it is particularly distasteful and dangerous when it involves the police. Apprehending offenders is one thing, but preventative measures must be instituted if we are to make a real difference. Although we suffer from a paucity of peace officers, we nonetheless, need more stringent psychological screening by way of in-depth and exhaustive entrance questionnaires. We also need more emphasis placed on 'morals and ethics' lectures and frequent mandatory refresher courses for reinforcement.
In lieu of increased salaries (since the Ministry of Finance says that we cannot afford it), perhaps they could consider more tax breaks and easy access to low interest loans to lessen the financial woes of our policemen and women. The government must make every effort to discourage rogue cop activities for all our sakes.
Garth A. Rattray is a medical doctor with a family practice.
