police corruption

Police corruption is a form of police misconduct in which a law enforcement officer breaks their political contract and abuses their power for personal gain. Such a police officer is often referred to as a dirty cop. A corrupt officer may act alone or as part of a group. Corrupt acts include taking bribes, stealing from victims or suspects, and manipulating evidence to affect the outcome of legal proceedings. Police corruption challenges the human rights of citizens, and can undermine public trust in the police when uncovered or suspected.