Police Crime is defined as what?

• A. Officer's use of official powers of the job to engage in criminal conduct
• B. A routine traffic stop
• C. The community's perception of police
• D. A code of ethics

Answer: (A)

Police crime means when an officer uses the official powers and authority of their job to commit a criminal act. It’s not just any misconduct or an ethical lapse; it’s a criminal action that exploits the role, such as taking bribes, planting or destroying evidence, theft, extortion, or assault carried out under color of authority. This definition matters because it distinguishes actual criminal behavior from ordinary policing duties like a routine traffic stop, from the public’s perception of policing, or from a code of ethics. When police commit crimes, it erodes trust, prompts investigations and criminal charges, and undermines the legitimacy of the entire force.