Officers who passively accept small unofficial benefits without actively seeking corruption are called what?

• A. Bribes
• B. Grass-eaters
• C. Ethics
• D. Gratuities

Answer: (B)

In policing corruption, a common way to understand behavior is the distinction between active and passive forms of misconduct. Grass-eaters are officers who, without actively pursuing corruption, tolerate or quietly accept small unofficial benefits that come with the job—things like freebies, tips, meals, or favors. This passive acceptance creates a climate where corruption can flourish, even if the officer isn’t soliciting large bribes or engaging in outright criminal deals. It contrasts with meat-eaters, who actively seek out opportunities to corrupt for personal gain. Bribes describe explicit payments for favorable treatment, which is more active and deliberate than the passive tolerance described by grass-eaters. Gratuities refer to gifts or tips themselves, but the term grass-eaters specifically captures the mindset of tolerating these small benefits as a routine part of the job.