Which theory states that corruption stems from the nature of police work?

• A. Rotten-apple theory of corruption
• B. Systematic theory of corruption
• C. Behaviorism
• D. Coercion

Answer: (B)

The idea being tested is that corruption stems from the nature of police work, not just from individual moral failings. Systematic theory argues that the everyday duties of policing—discretion in stops and arrests, access to sensitive information and money, high-pressure environments, and varying levels of oversight—create ongoing opportunities for corrupt practices. Norms, peer pressure, and informal networks within the organization can sustain and spread corruption, making it a feature of the system rather than the fault of a few isolated officers. This perspective explains why corrupt patterns can appear across units and time even when many officers are honest, because the structures and incentives of the job itself enable it. In contrast, the rotten-apple view focuses on a few bad individuals, behaviorism emphasizes individual learning and reinforcement without tying it to organizational structure, and coercion centers on the use of force or intimidation, not the broad, systemic roots of corruption.