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Anti-corruption and police reform

Addressing police corruption is essential to maintain the rule of law, to support the legitimacy of the state and to restore public trust in democratic processes. Since the powers entrusted to law enforcement officers can be easily manipulated, there are many linkages between police corruption and human right abuses that can further undermine internal security. Police corruption manifests itself in a variety of ways, all of which require different types of anti-corruption interventions. Experience suggests that for anti-corruption strategies to be successful and comprehensive they need to be embedded in the broader framework of democratic institution-building. Such strategies usually integrate preventative approaches aimed at decreasing incentives for corruption with punitive approaches that increase the cost of engaging in corrupt practices. The main focus is typically on issues of enforcement, institutional change as well as public education and participation.
31 May 2010
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Anti-corruption and police reform

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Chêne, M.; (2010) Anti-corruption and police reform. Bergen: U4 Anti-Corruption Resource Centre, Chr. Michelsen Institute (U4 Helpdesk Answer null)