Detecting
Corruption
"The
commission uncovered a systemic pattern of official misconduct,
nepotism and abuse of the public trust so pervasive in this community
as to cause local budgetary hardships and jeopardize the local police
department's ability to finance its operation."
The Commission
Report that the above quote was
taken from outlines the many forms
that
corruption takes within a police department and is offered to help the
officer and union recognize these forms and look for them within
his/her department.
Although many
officers feel that they do not have access to the information contained
in this report, most of it is public information and can be obtained
through the use of OPRA (Open Public Records Act). Each
municipality or agency should have on its web site a OPRA form and
instructions for filling out same.
Grant information
should also be available to you through this request. If it
is
not, the officer can contact the grant agency directly or through the
League of Municipalities to obtain the information.
Commissions can
be formed at the request of your union. A neutral
"investigator"
(usually an attorney) can be assigned to audit the police department
and the union's complaints. Your governing authority,
Director of
Public Safety, Mayor, etc., would be the ones to order an investigation
into complaints of corruption.
This
web site is designed for general information only. The information
presented at this site should not be construed to be formal legal
advice nor the formation of a lawyer/client relationship.
|
