Authors :
Dr. John Motsamai Modise
Volume/Issue :
Volume 7 - 2022, Issue 8 - August
Google Scholar :
https://bit.ly/3IIfn9N
Scribd :
https://bit.ly/3qqch3w
DOI :
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7067644
Abstract :
Corruption is one of the major challenges that
confront South Africa. The public in South Africa are
increasingly intolerant of corruption and the abuse of
power by those in positions of leadership and are more
willing to hold them to account. Law enforcement
institutions are entrusted with a diverse set of tasks
requiring a high degree of integrity within police
agencies and their oversight. Where this does not
function well, law enforcement officers may become
vulnerable to acting unlawfully and outside their remit.
"Corruption is an insidious plague that has a wide range
of corrosive effects on societies. It undermines
democracy and the rule of law, leads to violations of
human rights, distorts markets, erodes the quality of life,
and allows organized crime, terrorism and other threats
to human security to flourish"(Annan, 2004). This study
aims to identify key issues in police integrity and
corruption, with a specific emphasis on the causes of
corruption and the efficacy of different prevention
strategies. Other issues of relevance include the links
between integrity (and lapses in it) and the development
of corruption, and strategies for instilling o
organizational values and integrity in staff. It is not an
aim of this report to provide an assessment of the
current extent or nature of police corruption in South
Africa. Efforts to enhance police oversight and
accountability must focus on three key, related priorities.
Firstly, where policing has been militarized and may be
undemocratic and authoritarian, efforts must be made to
enhance civilian control over the police. Secondly, it is
necessary to increase public confidence in the police by
upgrading levels of police service delivery as well as by
investigating and acting in cases of police misconduct.
Finally, reducing corruption within the police is crucial.
Keywords :
Corruption, public morality, public ethics, preventing corruption, police accountability.
Corruption is one of the major challenges that
confront South Africa. The public in South Africa are
increasingly intolerant of corruption and the abuse of
power by those in positions of leadership and are more
willing to hold them to account. Law enforcement
institutions are entrusted with a diverse set of tasks
requiring a high degree of integrity within police
agencies and their oversight. Where this does not
function well, law enforcement officers may become
vulnerable to acting unlawfully and outside their remit.
"Corruption is an insidious plague that has a wide range
of corrosive effects on societies. It undermines
democracy and the rule of law, leads to violations of
human rights, distorts markets, erodes the quality of life,
and allows organized crime, terrorism and other threats
to human security to flourish"(Annan, 2004). This study
aims to identify key issues in police integrity and
corruption, with a specific emphasis on the causes of
corruption and the efficacy of different prevention
strategies. Other issues of relevance include the links
between integrity (and lapses in it) and the development
of corruption, and strategies for instilling o
organizational values and integrity in staff. It is not an
aim of this report to provide an assessment of the
current extent or nature of police corruption in South
Africa. Efforts to enhance police oversight and
accountability must focus on three key, related priorities.
Firstly, where policing has been militarized and may be
undemocratic and authoritarian, efforts must be made to
enhance civilian control over the police. Secondly, it is
necessary to increase public confidence in the police by
upgrading levels of police service delivery as well as by
investigating and acting in cases of police misconduct.
Finally, reducing corruption within the police is crucial.
Keywords :
Corruption, public morality, public ethics, preventing corruption, police accountability.
