Dear Editor,
What is corruption? What are the consequences of unethical and corrupt behaviour committed by law enforcement officials? In Guyana, these are good topical issues to start a conversation with or even an argument. Please permit me to join in the confabulation.
Rothlein (2000) posits, “Corruption is a corrosive element that will spread like rust if it is not contained and eliminated. Addressing unethical behaviour and corruption has become a top priority and major challenge for Police administration. The causes of corruption are complex. Many factors can contribute to corruption, including greed; personal motivators such as ego, sex, or the exercise of power; tolerance of the behaviour by the community; socialisation from peers and/or the organisation; inadequate supervision and monitoring of behaviour; lack of clear accountability of employees’ behaviour and no real threat to discipline or sanctions.”
The real elements of corrupt behaviour are that the conduct (1) is prohibited by law or rule; (2) involves misuse of position and (3) involves a reward or personal gain for the officer.
The average Police recruit or beat duty cop is expected to conduct his or her private and professional life with more integrity and decorum than most other citizens, however difficult and unrealistic that may seem at times. One area in which the Police’s conduct may be called into question is whether or not they accept gratuities. A gratuity is defined as a favour or gift, usually in the form of money, given in return for service; for example, a tip given to a waiter at a restaurant.
Many contend that accepting gratuities is often the launching pad in officers engaging in unethical behaviour and from there plunge quickly into actual corruption. Many persons provide ‘freebies’ because they expect preferential treatment from the recipient officers. Experience has shown that at times when the ‘freebies’ are not forthcoming, officers will make demands – even demand by menace. These may include simple things like money to buy drinks for the birthday party of the boss, tickets to attend a show at the National Stadium, a fish fry or a barbecue. Research indicates that most scandals start with one employee doing relatively small unethical acts that grow to whatever level the leadership allows.
Strandberg (2000) notes, “Corruption takes on many forms, and some things seemingly insignificant can put an officer on a slippery slope, leading to major crimes.”
All is not lost. A good starting point to promoting ethical behaviour and integrity is to eliminate the code of silence. The code of silence encourages ranks not to speak up when they see another officer doing something wrong. McCarthy (2000) recommends seven steps to help prevent unethical behaviour and corruption: “ (1) Recruit with great care. (2) Establish appropriate policies and put them in writing. (3) Adopt a good employee evaluation process. (4) Make sure your sergeants share management’s values and philosophies. (5) Develop operational control. (6) Perform regular anti-corruption inspections and audits. (7) Implement ethics and integrity training into every training activity.”
Ethical behaviour is that which is ‘moral’ and ‘right’. Integrity refers to steadfast adherence to an ethical code. Therefore, the Police must inculcate ethical, integrity and anti-corruption training for all members of the Force, more so paying special attention to the subordinate officers and junior officers. The subordinate officers will not be able to change the department, but they can change their squads. The junior officers may not be able to change the department, but they can change the large number of ranks under their control. Fast forward, in time to come, these corporals and sergeants; inspectors, cadet officers, and assistant superintendents will be the divisional and branch commanders, the senior superintendents and assistant commissioners upwards, where they will be able to foster an environment of excellent ethical behaviour and integrity, thereby enhancing greater public confidence in the GPF.
Yours faithfully,
Clinton Conway
Assistant Commissioner
of Police
(Retired)
