Which statement about the 1931 Wickersham Commission is accurate?

Which statement about the 1931 Wickersham Commission is accurate?

• A. It recognized prohibition as unenforceable and catalyzed police corruption
• B. It promoted expansion of police academies
• C. It increased federal penalties for alcohol offenses
• D. It urged private security to replace police work

Answer: (A)

The core idea being tested is how the Wickersham Commission viewed Prohibition in practice. The 1931 report concluded that enforcing Prohibition through the existing police and criminal justice system was largely unenforceable and led to widespread corruption, as the illegal liquor market created incentives for bribery and cover-ups. This assessment is why the statement about recognizing Prohibition as unenforceable and catalyzing police corruption is the best fit: it captures the Commission’s critical view of the enforcement regime and its harmful side effects on policing. The Commission did call for reforms to policing and the professionalization of law enforcement, but not to simply expand police academies as the primary takeaway. It also did not advocate increasing federal penalties for alcohol offenses; rather, it emphasized the need for administration, coordination, and accountability within enforcement. Nor did it suggest private security should replace police work; its focus remained on strengthening public law enforcement rather than outsourcing it.

The core idea being tested is how the Wickersham Commission viewed Prohibition in practice. The 1931 report concluded that enforcing Prohibition through the existing police and criminal justice system was largely unenforceable and led to widespread corruption, as the illegal liquor market created incentives for bribery and cover-ups. This assessment is why the statement about recognizing Prohibition as unenforceable and catalyzing police corruption is the best fit: it captures the Commission’s critical view of the enforcement regime and its harmful side effects on policing.

The Commission did call for reforms to policing and the professionalization of law enforcement, but not to simply expand police academies as the primary takeaway. It also did not advocate increasing federal penalties for alcohol offenses; rather, it emphasized the need for administration, coordination, and accountability within enforcement. Nor did it suggest private security should replace police work; its focus remained on strengthening public law enforcement rather than outsourcing it.