The Economics of Police Corruption: Incentives, Institutional Failures, and Policy Solutions

Nitiphong Songsrirote

Authors

Nitiphong Songsrirote Mahasarakham Business School, Mahasarakham University https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4327-2770

Keywords:

Police Corruption, Economics, Incentives, Institutional Failures, Policy Remedies

Abstract

Corruption in the police force has a generalized negative impact on other institutions of law enforcement, taking away the reputation of public trust in the government system of law enforcement. Factors contributing to this trend include unethical economic motivations, cultural, possibly discrimination motives or elements, and shortcomings of the institutions. However, corruption comes into these institutions through political leadership and the manipulation of security services for regime maintenance and institutionalization of corruption. Poor political response breeds corruption, reinforcing entrenched practice and political willlessness, thus making reforms in combatting corruption rather tricky. This paper posits that the battle against systemic and individual corruption requires full and consistent attention to two cardinal policy strategies. The reform measure is directed to the correct compatibility of incentives, the related categories of political discipline, and the development of justice structures within enforcement agencies. It collates evidence from definite geospatial cases of excellent anti-corruption-morals endeavours in countries worldwide for analysis. A proper strategy requires more than good intentions on the part of the political elite; it should indeed be a big frame around institutional reform that will keep working for the future of solutions.

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