In my opinion, most people are inherently self interested. Everything that doesn't involve personal gains are secondary concerns, if they're concerns at all. Doing the job correctly and honorably is a virtue that is lost, on workers in it for a paycheck. It's especially unfortunate, when those workers are supposed to "protect and serve".
Classic
Movie Trailers - Serpico (1973)
I
imagine that it starts very small. At first, it may just be an issue
of a few routine patrols that are skipped. Maybe an officer on duty
is flirting with a waitress on a regular basis. With a situation like
that, his partner and the other cops know about the activity, but I
doubt that such a thing is often reported. Even if someone does bring
it to the attention of the supervisor, it's a safe bet that it would
be ignored.
If
you take a look at it from the manager's perspective, you might agree
that from one point of view, you have to choose your battles. People
aren't receptive to being constantly checked and corrected, and
over-supervision leads to ruffled feathers and greater dissent.
Unfortunately, the problem with letting too many things slide is that
ultimately, people will get bolder. So if it was a few missed tours
in the beginning, maybe later it's a suspect, that is treated
unfairly.
Maybe
the guy is a real scumbag though. Maybe he hurt children or raped
someone. Whatever the perpetrator is accused of, it would be
something serious enough to counter any sympathy he would have
gotten, from the other officers. Later, when it's generally known
that a cop can be heavy-handed, without fear of reproach, maybe the
guy that's abused isn't a serious offender. Maybe the arresting
officer, just doesn't like the accused.
It's
true that the dislike could be racially motivated. It might also be
related to the prisoner's perceived religion, or nationality. To be
honest though, it doesn't have to be something so complicated. Maybe
the cop in question just doesn't like his face.
What
you may have in that situation, is a social group that has learned to
keep quiet. Many have told their superiors, and then realized that
nothing was done about it. Others want to speak up as well, but
they're afraid of being judged by their peers. Eventually, they all
succumb to the pressure and instead of just staying silent, they
decide to join in.
Now
you have an environment, which encourages people to test the
boundaries. Let's say a large sum of money is confiscated as
evidence, and with that opportunity, a cop decides to take some for
himself. After his suspicions are confirmed, he continues the
practice. When others get wind of it, a number of them will begin to
follow suit.
The
problems can go on for such a long time, and involve so many people,
that dealing with the mess can be logistically difficult.
Furthermore, it may be extremely embarrassing for anyone working in
that vicinity, whether or not they have anything to do with the
corruption. When money is involved, it could even be dangerous, to
try and turn the tide. If that is indeed the case, the only hope for
change is that which is forced upon the group from an outside source;
that source could be an Internal Affairs office, an elected official,
or the press.
What's
bitterly ironic and tragic about such a scene, is that when people
are punished and forced to correct themselves, they get angry at the
parties that make them finally do it. They don't feel bad about
themselves. They don't question their own actions or inaction, and
hang their heads in shame. The men in charge get more jaded about the
scandal, than what caused it in the first place.
So
if you ever get the chance to blow the whistle on wrongdoing, I would
suggest putting yourself first in every decision. No one will clap
for you, or award you with anything; no one will recognize your
heroism and few will respect you. Do what you feel is right, but
remove yourself from harm's way. People want to get away with what
they're doing, and the others around them don't want to have to deal
with it.
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@ChannelSeals
See
"Serpico" on Netflix!
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