Police corruption is primarily caused by a combination of weak institutional accountability, the pervasive influence of police subcultures, and the high level of unchecked discretionary power granted to officers.

Understanding the root causes requires looking at several interconnected factors:

• Weak Accountability and “Blue Walls”: When disciplinary actions are rare, investigations are secretive, and a “code of silence” exists within the department, officers are emboldened to act unethically without fear of consequences