Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.31297/hkju.26.3.4
Understanding Police Integrity: A Qualitative Study on Why Officers Reject Bribery
Arun Kumar
; Manonmaniam Sundaranar University
R Renjini
; Kalasalingam Academy of Research and Education
R Sivakumar
; Manonmaniam Sundaranar University
M C Janaki
; Kalasalingam Academy of Research and Education
Abstract
Police corruption, particularly in the form of bribery, has
been widely studied. However, far less attention has been
given to officers who consciously reject such practices. This
qualitative study explores the motivations and ethical reasoning
of 27 long-serving police officers, who consistently
refused bribes throughout their careers. Using semi-structured
interviews and thematic analysis, three core themes
were identified: personal values and motivations, professional
and organizational influences, and organizational
culture and policy measures. Officers cited factors such
as inner peace, family legacy, fear of moral compromise,
and role modelling by senior leaders as crucial in resisting
corruption, emphasizing their role in upholding justice.
The findings reveal that ethical behaviour in policing is
shaped not only by law and enforcement policies but also
by deeply personal, emotional, and systemic factors. This
study contributes to the discourse on police integrity by
highlighting resistance to misconduct and the cultivation
of ethics within challenging institutional environments.
Keywords
police; integrity; bribery; corruption; ethical policing
Hrčak ID:
352683
URI
Publication date:
28.10.2026.
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