intro to policing commissions

Wickersham

• created by herbert hoover in 1929 due to corruption of political era

• Examine current police practices and all criminal justice practices

Knapp

• Commission was created due to allegations against former NYPD officer Frank Serpico and Sergeant David Durk 

• Found two types of officers: grass eaters (small gifts) and meat eaters (serious acts of deviance)

• Outcome:

• Commanders should be held accountable for their officers’ dealings; 

• Commanders should properly file key proactive reports demonstrating they are aware of police corruption and are preventing it; 

• Internal affairs units should be created for every precinct; 

• Undercover operatives should be immersed within each precinct;

• Increase more robust screening and selection standards for officers moving through the ranks; and lastly 

• Initiate a complete reform within the police subcul

Mullen Commission

A New York City commission established in 1994 to investigate police corruption within the NYPD

Christopher Commission

an independent investigative body formed to examine the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) after the Rodney King beating incident in 1991