Over 9 years of police, the U.S. accused in more than 400 rapes

You are shocked by another news about a COP-rapist? How about that for 9 years of such cases was over 400? That is an average of 45 cases per year!

According to a study from Bowling Green State University (BGSU), 2005-2013 American policeman was charged with 405 allegations of rape and sexual harassment cases were registered even more — 636.

Meanwhile, experts say that this is not a complete statistic. In fact, data on sexual crimes, police officers are almost there, complains the expert on criminal law, Cato Institute Jonathan Blanks.

«Complete statistics on the issue of integrity of police officers is missing, the report says «police Honor lost: a study of detainees law enforcement officers» from 2016. — Cases of sexual harassment and sexual violence by the police often belong to hide the crimes.»

As a result, researchers of this issue often have to rely on reports in the media.

Why not enough data

One of the main obstacles to establish the extent of sexual crimes committed by the police is the unwillingness of victims to report the crime.

«Who do you call when a rapist, a criminal, a police officer? How much is a frightening situation,» says associate Professor of criminal law Philip Stinson, a BGSU to provide assistance in the study.

Jonathan Blanks calls 2 the reasons for lack of statistical data.

First, the Federal government may require States to provide statistics about 18 thousand police departments. But even if that happened, the Ministry of justice lacks the resources to monitor and maintain the database.

Second, the police unions are also trying to protect the reputation of officers.

«The system is designed to protect police personnel from external accountability, says Blanks. The worst cops are getting maximum protection».

Who becomes the victims of police

According to the study, about half of the targets of sexual harassment by police officers — children.

According to the report «Honor police lost…», in «limited visibility conditions with little oversight» of the police there are many opportunities for abuse.

Due to the high level of trust towards law enforcement authorities rapists in uniform in the choice of victims strategically. Often their attacks suffer:

  • former prisoners,
  • homeless,
  • workers in the sex industry;
  • drug or alcohol addicted.

It turns out that the victims of police become both law-breakers and those whose rights they seek to protect.

How to fix the situation

Critical to overcome the situation is accountability of the police, experts say BGSU. According to the former police chief of Seattle Norm Stamper, you should start with unification of all police units.

The fact that 18 thousand police departments operate under its rules, based on local traditions, policies, procedures and methods of recruitment. Stamper believes that the introduction of national standards would improve the quality of police work. Every Department, every police officer should be afraid to violate the General standard, and this can be achieved through a system of licenses or certificates, which can be denied for misconduct.

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