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Yay - this is actually a key issue. If you've traveled internationally you QUICKLY get a sense of how folks feel about their govt. Corrupt govt? Everyone is ch

Yay - this is actually a key issue. If you've traveled internationally you QUICKLY get a sense of how folks feel about their govt. Corrupt govt? Everyone is cheating that govt as well. So if you are a cop, your bosses are taking your pay, they are in bed with XXX and YYY, then yeah, forget ANY chance of clean policing - "spot fines" here we come and services to highest bidder.

PaulHoule 5y ago
I find it hard to image paying off a cop to avoid a speeding ticket in the US although I know in any place where gang activity is widespread there are cops on the take. On the other hand I think corruption is widespread at the upper levels in Albany and Washington.
- jdsully 5y ago
  I thought in NY the corruption was done via "donations" and association with the "Patrolmen's Benevolent Association". They give out cards specifically for this purpose. From the wording in this article they are pretty brazen about it. Even the official comments don't deny they affect officers discretion. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-42780382 https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-42780382
  - mc32 5y ago
    In the article itself it’s got contradicting opinions about its usefulness. From it has little impact to it might get you off a minor speeding ticket or violation. It won’t get you off major infractions. What it may do more reliably is give the bearer some benefit of doubt. With bodycams however I’m sure there is now less wiggle room. Corruption in the US doesn’t happen much at this level. It happens more on the turnstile from politics to private practice and back. The revolving door along with the institutionalization of non-elected officials (appointees) which circumvents democracy.
    - jdsully 5y ago
      Where police bribes are common they are usually for things like speeding tickets. Getting out of major charges with a bribe is pretty far down the corruption rabbit hole.
      - mc32 5y ago
        From friends in some of these places it covers a wide range of things: avoiding the consequences of illegal building, accidents with bodily injury, as well as getting choice jobs without qualifications, etc.
    - throwaway0a5e 5y ago
      >What it may do more reliably is give the bearer some benefit of doubt. Exactly. It tells them you're "in the club" so when they fishing stop you with some BS minor traffic violation as a pretext they a) don't go all out with the 20 questions routine fishing for probable cause and b) let you off with a warning.
  - jazzyjackson 5y ago
    Yea it’s bonkers, what’s the blade runner quote? “If you’re not a cop, you’re little people.”
- slownews45 5y ago
  The US is not corrupt in the way other countries are in terms of daily life. If you've been to developing countries - the comparisons are not even close.

PaulHoule 5y ago

I find it hard to image paying off a cop to avoid a speeding ticket in the US although I know in any place where gang activity is widespread there are cops on the take. On the other hand I think corruption is widespread at the upper levels in Albany and Washington.

jdsully 5y ago
I thought in NY the corruption was done via "donations" and association with the "Patrolmen's Benevolent Association". They give out cards specifically for this purpose. From the wording in this article they are pretty brazen about it. Even the official comments don't deny they affect officers discretion. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-42780382 https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-42780382
- mc32 5y ago
  In the article itself it’s got contradicting opinions about its usefulness. From it has little impact to it might get you off a minor speeding ticket or violation. It won’t get you off major infractions. What it may do more reliably is give the bearer some benefit of doubt. With bodycams however I’m sure there is now less wiggle room. Corruption in the US doesn’t happen much at this level. It happens more on the turnstile from politics to private practice and back. The revolving door along with the institutionalization of non-elected officials (appointees) which circumvents democracy.
  - jdsully 5y ago
    Where police bribes are common they are usually for things like speeding tickets. Getting out of major charges with a bribe is pretty far down the corruption rabbit hole.
    - mc32 5y ago
      From friends in some of these places it covers a wide range of things: avoiding the consequences of illegal building, accidents with bodily injury, as well as getting choice jobs without qualifications, etc.
  - throwaway0a5e 5y ago
    >What it may do more reliably is give the bearer some benefit of doubt. Exactly. It tells them you're "in the club" so when they fishing stop you with some BS minor traffic violation as a pretext they a) don't go all out with the 20 questions routine fishing for probable cause and b) let you off with a warning.
- jazzyjackson 5y ago
  Yea it’s bonkers, what’s the blade runner quote? “If you’re not a cop, you’re little people.”
slownews45 5y ago
The US is not corrupt in the way other countries are in terms of daily life. If you've been to developing countries - the comparisons are not even close.