Learning Objectives

  • Review the definition of terms associated with acts of police wrongdoing, and learn how the prevalence and types of police misconduct have changed throughout the history of American policing.
  • Examine the types of police deviance that result in personal gain and types that do not result in personal gain.
  • Explore data sources that shed light on the frequency of police deviance in the United States, as well as the levels of involvement in police deviance, ranging from one police officer to an entire organization.
  • Examine some of the causes of police deviance and how it results in negative consequences for both police organizations and the communities they serve.
  • Explore how police ethics plays a role in controlling police officer behavior.