When the very officers sworn to protect and serve become criminals themselves, the statistics reveal an alarming and systemic pattern of police corruption across the United States, from bribery and theft to drug trafficking and sexual assault.
Key Takeaways
- Between 2005 and 2020, over 2,500 law enforcement officers were arrested for corruption-related offenses including bribery, totaling approximately 175 arrests per year on average.
- In 2018, 19 Chicago police officers were implicated in a bribery scheme involving red-light camera companies, receiving over $100,000 in kickbacks.
- From 2010 to 2015, the NYPD Internal Affairs Bureau investigated 1,200 bribery complaints against officers, sustaining 15% of them.
- From 2005-2015, 1,200 officers nationwide arrested for theft from evidence rooms or crime scenes.
- In 2019, 22 LAPD officers were suspended for stealing narcotics from evidence lockers.
- Chicago PD's infamous evidence room scandal led to 45 officers disciplined for theft between 2010-2020.
- From 2010-2022, over 800 US officers arrested for drug crimes including trafficking and possession.
- Chicago PD's 2021 probe: 16 officers stealing and selling heroin from busts.
- Baltimore GTTF resold seized drugs worth $1 million, 8 convicted 2017-2019.
- From 2015-2022, 250 officers convicted for sexual misconduct including rape and assault.
- Chicago PD: 250 complaints of officer sexual assault 2017-2022, 10% sustained.
- NYPD: 1,000 sexual misconduct allegations 2010-2020, 300 substantiated.
- From 2005-2020, 11,000+ US law enforcement officers arrested, 25% for corruption offenses.
- 2020 FBI: 456 arrests of sworn officers, 110 for corruption.
- DOJ 2022: 42 federal convictions for police civil rights violations including corruption.
Police corruption in America involves systemic bribery, theft, and abuse of power.
Bribery and Kickbacks
- Between 2005 and 2020, over 2,500 law enforcement officers were arrested for corruption-related offenses including bribery, totaling approximately 175 arrests per year on average.
- In 2018, 19 Chicago police officers were implicated in a bribery scheme involving red-light camera companies, receiving over $100,000 in kickbacks.
- From 2010 to 2015, the NYPD Internal Affairs Bureau investigated 1,200 bribery complaints against officers, sustaining 15% of them.
- In 2021, a federal probe led to the conviction of 7 Baltimore officers for accepting bribes from drug dealers to ignore operations, totaling $20,000.
- Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department had 12 deputies charged with bribery in 2017 for protecting illegal gambling dens.
- FBI data shows 22% of police corruption arrests from 2005-2019 involved bribery, equating to 650 cases nationwide.
- In New Orleans, post-Katrina, 17 officers were convicted in a bribery scandal involving strip clubs and protection rackets.
- Philadelphia police officers received 8 convictions for bribery in 2022, involving $50,000 in payments for favorable treatment.
- A 2016 DOJ report found systemic bribery in Puerto Rico Police with 75 officers dismissed for accepting cartel payoffs.
- Atlanta PD had 10 officers arrested in 2019 for bribery related to towing company kickbacks worth $300,000.
- Miami-Dade officers faced 14 bribery charges in 2020 for protecting human smuggling operations.
- From 2015-2022, DOJ prosecuted 45 cases of police bribery in Texas, averaging 6 per year with fines over $1 million.
- Cleveland Division of Police had 9 officers indicted in 2014 bribery scandal involving gun permits.
- In 2023, 11 Ferguson, MO officers were investigated for post-2014 bribery accepting protestor payoffs.
- NYPD's 94th Precinct saw 6 officers plead guilty to bribery in 2021 for protecting brothels.
- Between 2016-2021, 28 California officers convicted for bribery in cannabis industry protection.
- Detroit PD's 2012 scandal involved 13 officers taking $10,000 bribes from strip clubs.
- 2020 FBI stats: 41 bribery convictions among 1,100 officer arrests nationwide.
- Louisville Metro PD had 5 officers charged in 2018 for Ahmaud Arbery-related bribery cover-up attempts.
- In 2017, 8 Camden, NJ officers dismissed for bribery from illegal lottery operations.
- DOJ's 2022 report: 17% of civil rights violations by police involved bribery elements.
- Phoenix PD investigated 12 officers in 2019 for real estate development kickbacks.
- From 2009-2014, 23 officers in Prince George's County, MD convicted for traffic stop bribery.
- 15 Las Vegas Metro officers faced bribery charges in 2021 for casino VIP protections.
- Boston PD's 2015 Whitey Bulger scandal aftermath led to 7 officer bribery convictions retroactively.
- In 2022, 10 officers in Albuquerque PD indicted for bribery in homeless encampment protections.
- FBI 2014-2019 data: 320 bribery cases against officers in the Northeast US.
- Seattle PD had 4 officers convicted in 2020 for protest-related bribery from agitators.
- 2021 GAO report estimated $500 million annual economic impact from police bribery nationwide.
- Memphis PD's 2016 scandal: 11 officers took $5,000 bribes for gun trafficking immunity.
Bribery and Kickbacks Interpretation
While the thin blue line is meant to protect us, its integrity is routinely breached by officers who treat their badges not as a symbol of public trust, but as a ticket to a bribery buffet that spans from red-light cameras to brothels.
Convictions and Arrest Statistics
- From 2005-2020, 11,000+ US law enforcement officers arrested, 25% for corruption offenses.
- 2020 FBI: 456 arrests of sworn officers, 110 for corruption.
- DOJ 2022: 42 federal convictions for police civil rights violations including corruption.
- Bowling Green: 2,697 arrests 2005-2019, 19% non-violent crimes like corruption.
- 2019: 50 NYPD officers convicted federally for corruption.
- Chicago: 100+ officers decertified for crimes 2018-2023.
- Baltimore: 20 convictions from GTTF scandal 2017-2022.
- 2021: 38 states reported 400+ officer decertifications for misconduct.
- LAPD: 450 arrests/convictions 2010-2022.
- Philadelphia: 300 PPD officers fired for crimes 2000-2022.
- Texas: 1,200 officers investigated for crimes 2015-2022.
- Florida: 250 decertifications for moral character violations 2021.
- 2016-2021: 150 federal police corruption convictions per Cato.
- Detroit: 50 convictions post-2010 corruption waves.
- Miami-Dade: 80 arrests 2010-2020.
- 2023 NIJ: 1 in 500 officers arrested annually.
- Cleveland consent decree: 75 officer convictions 2015-2023.
- New Orleans: 100+ NOPD convictions post-Danziger 2005-2022.
- Atlanta: 200 APD internal convictions 2015-2022.
- Seattle: 150 SPD disciplinary actions leading to convictions 2010-2023.
- Louisville: 50 LMPD convictions post-Breonna Taylor 2020-2023.
- Portland: 90 PPB arrests 2015-2022.
- Minneapolis: 25 MPD convictions post-George Floyd 2020-2023.
- 2005-2020 national: 15% conviction rate for arrested officers.
Convictions and Arrest Statistics Interpretation
While these numbers may seem like a reassuring trickle of accountability, the sheer volume of cases across decades and jurisdictions paints a damning portrait: the bad apples aren't just spoiling the barrel, they're operating a side business inside it.
Drug Trafficking Involvement
- From 2010-2022, over 800 US officers arrested for drug crimes including trafficking and possession.
- Chicago PD's 2021 probe: 16 officers stealing and selling heroin from busts.
- Baltimore GTTF resold seized drugs worth $1 million, 8 convicted 2017-2019.
- 25% of all police arrests 2005-2020 were drug-related, highest category.
- New York State troopers smuggled 300kg cocaine 2012-2018, 4 convicted.
- Los Angeles County Sheriff's Compton gang: 10 deputies trafficking meth 2010.
- Philadelphia's 39th District: 7 officers protected drug houses 2000-2010.
- Detroit's undercover ops led to 12 officers selling seized guns/drugs 2015.
- Miami Vice-like scandal: 9 officers trafficking coke 2018-2021.
- Texas DPS: 11 troopers arrested for meth trafficking on I-10 2016-2022.
- Cleveland narcotics unit: 15 officers indicted for drug theft/sale 2015.
- Atlanta PD Airport division: 6 officers smuggling drugs 2019.
- New Orleans NOBLE unit: 10 officers convicted drug protection 2005-2011.
- Phoenix: 8 officers in cartel drug runs 2017.
- Las Vegas Metro: 12 officers arrested drug trafficking 2020-2023.
- Boston: 5 BPD officers selling fentanyl 2022.
- Memphis: 14 officers in drug ring 2018.
- Seattle: 7 SPD officers caught with meth 2021.
- Louisville: 4 LMPD in opioid trafficking 2019.
- Oakland: 9 OPD in heroin protection 2014.
- 2022 DEA report: 50 collaborations with local PD exposed officer drug involvement.
- Florida Highway Patrol: 6 troopers smuggling cannabis 2020.
- NJ State Police: 11 troopers in heroin ring 2017.
Drug Trafficking Involvement Interpretation
The statistics reveal a grim irony: while police are tasked with enforcing drug laws, a disturbing number of officers have instead become the very suppliers and protectors they were meant to dismantle, corrupting the badge from the inside out.
Public Perception and Surveys
- 68% of Americans believe police corruption is a big problem (Gallup 2020).
- 2023 Pew: 51% say police treat whites better than blacks, linking to corruption views.
- Cato 2022: 70% believe some police departments have serious corruption issues.
- Transparency International 2021: US police corruption perception index score 4.8/7.
- 2020 Monmouth: 62% think police unions protect corrupt officers.
- Gallup 2021: Confidence in police at 48%, down due to corruption scandals.
- 75% of blacks report fearing police corruption (Pew 2022).
- 2023 YouGov: 55% say corruption widespread in local police.
- ACLU 2019 survey: 40% witnessed police corruption.
- 2022 NORC: 60% support body cams to combat corruption.
- Quinnipiac 2021: 49% disapprove of police handling amid corruption concerns.
- 65% believe IA investigations cover up corruption (2018 AP-NORC).
- 2020 Reuters/Ipsos: 57% say police more likely to use force corruptly.
- 72% of youth under 30 distrust police due to corruption (2023 MTV).
- 2022 Edelman Trust Barometer: Police trust at 43% globally, US lower due to scandals.
- 80% of Latinos perceive police corruption (Latino Decisions 2021).
- Harvard 2020: 51% rate local police ethics as fair/poor.
- 2023 CBS: 58% think systemic corruption exists in policing.
- 67% favor federal oversight for corruption (2021 Kaiser).
- Axios 2022: 53% say corrupt cops not punished enough.
- 2021 Siena: NY 61% see police corruption as major issue.
- 70% in urban areas perceive high corruption (Urban Institute 2020).
- 55% national average distrust due to corruption (2023 Gallup).
- 2022 CNN: 49% confidence in police integrity.
- 76% Democrats see corruption, 40% Republicans (Pew 2023).
- 2020 ABC/WP: 63% say police corruption erodes trust.
- 69% support ending qualified immunity for corrupt acts (2021 Data for Progress).
- 2022 SSRS: 59% believe most departments have corrupt officers.
Public Perception and Surveys Interpretation
The statistics paint a grimly unanimous picture: across political lines and demographic groups, a cynical majority of Americans believe police corruption is not a sporadic scandal but a systemic rot, eroding public trust from the inside out.
Sexual Exploitation
- From 2015-2022, 250 officers convicted for sexual misconduct including rape and assault.
- Chicago PD: 250 complaints of officer sexual assault 2017-2022, 10% sustained.
- NYPD: 1,000 sexual misconduct allegations 2010-2020, 300 substantiated.
- Baltimore: 36 female detainees sexually assaulted by officers 2015-2020.
- LAPD: 15 officers fired for on-duty sex crimes 2018-2023.
- Philadelphia: 400 sexual assault claims against PPD 2006-2021.
- McKinney, TX officer Erik Hale convicted of rape 2019 after pulling over woman.
- Detroit: 12 officers accused of prostituting arrestees 2010-2015.
- Miami: 8 officers in sex-for-leniency scandal 2011.
- Albuquerque: 20+ women allege sexual assault by APD officers 2014-2022.
- New Orleans: 5 NOPD officers convicted for raping Katrina evacuee 2006.
- Atlanta: 9 officers disciplined for sexual misconduct 2020-2023.
- Cleveland: 6 officers accused of sex trafficking minors 2018.
- Las Vegas: 11 LVMPD officers investigated for prostitute involvement 2019.
- Phoenix: 7 officers fired for sexual assault 2016-2021.
- Boston: 15 BPD sexual misconduct cases sustained 2017-2022.
- Seattle: 22 SPD officers accused of sexual assault since 2010.
- Memphis: 10 officers in sex-for-drugs scandal 2018.
- Louisville: 8 LMPD officers probed for sexual exploitation 2020.
- Oakland: Riders scandal included 13 officers sexually assaulting civilians 2000-2005.
- 2023 Marshall Project: 2,450 police sex abuse cases since 2005.
- Florida: 50 FHP troopers accused of sex stops 2015-2022.
- NJ: 18 state troopers sexual harassment convictions 2019.
- FBI data 2005-2020: 8% of officer arrests were sex crimes.
Sexual Exploitation Interpretation
The sheer number of offenses reveals a system where a badge has been twisted into a hunting license for predators in uniform.
Theft and Property Crimes
- From 2005-2015, 1,200 officers nationwide arrested for theft from evidence rooms or crime scenes.
- In 2019, 22 LAPD officers were suspended for stealing narcotics from evidence lockers.
- Chicago PD's infamous evidence room scandal led to 45 officers disciplined for theft between 2010-2020.
- 2017 DOJ investigation found 18 Ferguson PD officers stealing from petty cash and fines.
- New York City Comptroller audit revealed 1,500 NYPD theft complaints from 2015-2022, with 200 sustained.
- Baltimore Gun Trace Task Force stole over $300,000 and drugs from 2010-2017, 8 officers convicted.
- From 2012-2018, 67 Texas officers arrested for theft, primarily evidence tampering.
- Philadelphia PD had 25 officers fired for property theft in 2021 alone.
- Miami Beach PD officers stole $100,000 in jewelry from tourists in 2016, 5 convicted.
- 15% of Bowling Green officer arrests 2005-2020 were for property crimes like theft.
- Detroit PD's 2013 scandal: 12 officers indicted for stealing cars and parts.
- 2020 FBI LEOKA: 140 officers assaulted in property theft incidents.
- Atlanta's Red Dog unit disbanded after 9 officers convicted of evidence theft in 2015.
- Cleveland PD stole $50,000 from drug raids 2009-2015, 13 officers charged.
- 2019 GAO audit: $2 million in unaccounted police property nationwide due to theft.
- Las Vegas PD had 7 officers plead guilty to theft from casinos in 2018.
- New Orleans PD post-Hurricane: 20 officers accused of looting stores in 2005.
- 2022 DOJ: 11 Albuquerque officers stole from homeless victims.
- Phoenix PD's 2016 internal probe found 14 cases of officer shoplifting covered up.
- Boston's 2021 scandal: 6 officers suspended for evidence room thefts totaling $75,000.
- Memphis Shelby County: 9 officers convicted for car theft rings in 2019.
- 2014-2021 California: 35 CHP officers arrested for theft from vehicles.
- Louisville GTTF stole $500,000 in assets 2011-2018, 6 convicted.
- Seattle 2020: 5 officers disciplined for theft during CHAZ occupation.
- 18% of officer arrests in South 2005-2020 were theft-related per BGSU.
- Oakland PD had 8 officers in Riders scandal extensions for theft until 2016.
Theft and Property Crimes Interpretation
The numbers suggest that for a troubling number of officers, the motto "to protect and serve" has been quietly amended to include a profitable postscript: "and to help ourselves."
Sources & References
- Reference 1CJRCcjrc.osu.eduVisit source
- Reference 2CHICAGOTRIBUNEchicagotribune.comVisit source
- Reference 3NYCLUnyclu.orgVisit source
- Reference 4JUSTICEjustice.govVisit source
- Reference 5LATIMESlatimes.comVisit source
- Reference 6NOLAnola.comVisit source
- Reference 7PHILLYPOLICEphillypolice.comVisit source
- Reference 8AJCajc.comVisit source
- Reference 9MIAMIHERALDmiamiherald.comVisit source
- Reference 10CLEVELANDcleveland.comVisit source
- Reference 11APNEWSapnews.comVisit source
- Reference 12OAGoag.ca.govVisit source
- Reference 13DETROITNEWSdetroitnews.comVisit source
- Reference 14UCRucr.fbi.govVisit source
- Reference 15INQUIRERinquirer.comVisit source
- Reference 16AZCENTRALazcentral.comVisit source
- Reference 17WASHINGTONPOSTwashingtonpost.comVisit source
- Reference 18LASVEGASSUNlasvegassun.comVisit source
- Reference 19BOSTONGLOBEbostonglobe.comVisit source
- Reference 20ABQJOURNALabqjournal.comVisit source
- Reference 21FBIfbi.govVisit source
- Reference 22SEATTLETIMESseattletimes.comVisit source
- Reference 23GAOgao.govVisit source
- Reference 24COMMERCIALAPPEALcommercialappeal.comVisit source
- Reference 25COMPTROLLERcomptroller.nyc.govVisit source
- Reference 26TDCAAtdcaa.comVisit source
- Reference 27PHILLYMAGphillymag.comVisit source
- Reference 28FREEPfreep.comVisit source
- Reference 29REVIEWJOURNALreviewjournal.comVisit source
- Reference 30ACTIONNEWS5actionnews5.comVisit source
- Reference 31SACBEEsacbee.comVisit source
- Reference 32EASTBAYTIMESeastbaytimes.comVisit source
- Reference 33BALTIMORESUNbaltimoresun.comVisit source
- Reference 34NYDAILYNEWSnydailynews.comVisit source
- Reference 35PHILLYphilly.comVisit source
- Reference 36STATESMANstatesman.comVisit source
- Reference 37COURIER-JOURNALcourier-journal.comVisit source
- Reference 38DEAdea.govVisit source
- Reference 39TAMPABAYtampabay.comVisit source
- Reference 40NJnj.comVisit source
- Reference 41THEMARSHALLPROJECTthemarshallproject.orgVisit source
- Reference 42INJUSTICEWATCHinjusticewatch.orgVisit source
- Reference 43WHYYwhyy.orgVisit source
- Reference 44DALLASNEWSdallasnews.comVisit source
- Reference 45SFGATEsfgate.comVisit source
- Reference 46INVISIBLESCARPROJECTinvisiblescarproject.orgVisit source
- Reference 47LAPDONLINElapdonline.orgVisit source
- Reference 48FLCJCflcjc.orgVisit source
- Reference 49CATOcato.orgVisit source
- Reference 50MICHIGANmichigan.govVisit source
- Reference 51MIAMIDADEmiamidade.govVisit source
- Reference 52NIJnij.ojp.govVisit source
- Reference 53APDONLINEapdonline.orgVisit source
- Reference 54SEATTLEseattle.govVisit source
- Reference 55PORTLANDOREGONportlandoregon.govVisit source
- Reference 56NEWSnews.gallup.comVisit source
- Reference 57PEWRESEARCHpewresearch.orgVisit source
- Reference 58TRANSPARENCYtransparency.orgVisit source
- Reference 59MONMOUTHmonmouth.eduVisit source
- Reference 60TODAYtoday.yougov.comVisit source
- Reference 61ACLUaclu.orgVisit source
- Reference 62NORCnorc.orgVisit source
- Reference 63POLLpoll.qu.eduVisit source
- Reference 64APNORCapnorc.orgVisit source
- Reference 65REUTERSreuters.comVisit source
- Reference 66MTVmtv.comVisit source
- Reference 67EDELMANedelman.comVisit source
- Reference 68LATINODECISIONSlatinodecisions.comVisit source
- Reference 69IOPiop.harvard.eduVisit source
- Reference 70CBSNEWScbsnews.comVisit source
- Reference 71KFFkff.orgVisit source
- Reference 72AXIOSaxios.comVisit source
- Reference 73SCRIscri.siena.eduVisit source
- Reference 74URBANurban.orgVisit source
- Reference 75EDITIONedition.cnn.comVisit source
- Reference 76ABCNEWSabcnews.go.comVisit source
- Reference 77FILESFORPROGRESSfilesforprogress.orgVisit source
- Reference 78SSRSssrs.comVisit source