Training to curb police corruption in developing countries
| Published date | 01 March 2017 |
| DOI | 10.1177/1461355716674371 |
| Date | 01 March 2017 |
| Author | Kempe Ronald Hope |
| Subject Matter | Articles |
Article
Training to curb police corruption
in developing countries:
A suggested framework
Kempe Ronald Hope Sr
Development Practice International, Oakville, Ontario, Canada
Abstract
Most of the anti-corruption training that currently exists for the police in developing countries lacks an appropriate focus
and is not provided in the manner of a coherent concentration. It tends to be delivered primarily in the form of police
orientation to existing anti-corruption laws, or other criminal laws in general. It also does not pro vide a thorough
understanding of the phenomenon of corruption and how it looks within policing practice in the society, nor does it
impart even basic knowledge and skills on how to adhere to professional standards and avoid the temptation of accepting
gifts, favors or gratuities, or engaging in other corrupt acts. The purpose of this work is to set out one suggested model of
a basic training framework and approach for curbing police corruption in developing countries pursuing democratic
policing. It outlines learning goals and training objectives, proposes a training approach model, suggests training
content and coverage, and indicates the expected outcomes from the training approach and process. The article
draws on the author’s fieldwork experience in police anti-corruption and ethics training, and assessments of best
practices in training to improve police integrity and ethical behavior in de veloping countri es. It advocates fo r the
application of problem-based learning as the most appropriate and successful training approach method to curb police
corruption in developing countries.
Keywords
Training, police corruption, learning goals, training approach model, training content and coverage
Submitted 19 Jun 2016, Revise received 07 Sep 2016, accepted 25 Sep 2016
Introduction
Police corruption is any action or omission, a promise of
any action or omission, or any attempt of action or omission
committed by a police officer or a group of police officers,
characterized by the police officer’s misuse of the official
position and motivated in significant part by the achieve-
ment of personal/private or organizational gain or advan-
tage (Hope, 2016). In most developing countries, police
corruption is rampant and police reforms to tackle this
corruption have become an imperative (Hope, 2016;
Williams, 2002). Given ‘‘the belief in the value of ethics
training’’, ‘‘then the apparent lack of it both in initial police
training and in the workplace setting suggests that there is
cause for concern and the possible need for additional
research and action’’ (Meine and Dunn, 2012: 1072).
Among the tools either being advocated or currently being
implemented is police anti-corruption training (PACT),
sometimes referred to as ethics or integrity training.
Drawing on the author’s fieldwork experience in police
anti-corruption and ethics training, and assessments of best
practices in training to improve police integrity and ethical
behavior in developing countries, this work sets out a basic
training framework and conceptual approach as one avenue
to a PACT model for developing countries pursuing the
quest for democratic policing. It outlines learning goals and
Corresponding author:
Kempe Ronald Hope Sr, Development Pract ice International, PO Box
30002, Oakville, Ontario L6H 7L8, Canada.
Email: hopekr@dpiintl.ca
International Journalof
Police Science & Management
2017, Vol. 19(1) 3–10
ªThe Author(s) 2016
Reprints and permission:
sagepub.co.uk/journalsPermissions.nav
DOI: 10.1177/1461355716674371
journals.sagepub.com/home/psm
To continue reading
Request your trial