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Ethical Issues in Law Enforcement Enforcement

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i c e<br />

a P r<br />

e s s<br />

<strong>Ethical</strong> <strong>Issues</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>Law</strong><br />

<strong>Enforcement</strong><br />

V a n<br />

Ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g the THIN BLUE LINE<br />

&<br />

Identify<strong>in</strong>g i <strong>Ethical</strong> Triggers


V a n e s s a P r i c e<br />

DEFINITIONS<br />

• Ethics-<br />

Science of human behavior; systematized<br />

pr<strong>in</strong>ciples of morally correct conduct.<br />

• <strong>Ethical</strong>- Correct or right, accord<strong>in</strong>g to the pr<strong>in</strong>ciples<br />

of ethics.<br />

• Moral- Conform<strong>in</strong>g to generally accepted ideas of<br />

what is right and just <strong>in</strong> human conduct.<br />

• Morality- Right liv<strong>in</strong>g,virtue;conformity to generally<br />

accepted standards ds of conduct.<br />

ct


V a n e s s a P r i c e<br />

<strong>Ethical</strong> Dilemmas<br />

1. What issues does the situation raise<br />

2. What primary ethical pr<strong>in</strong>ciple (if any) is be<strong>in</strong>g<br />

violated<br />

3. What steps should be taken to correct the<br />

situation<br />

4. What one th<strong>in</strong>g could have been done to<br />

prevent the situation from occurr<strong>in</strong>g


V a n e s s a P r i c e<br />

Framework to Process <strong>Ethical</strong><br />

Delimmas<br />

Personal Rights<br />

Knowledge of Addictions<br />

EAP Procedures<br />

Legal <strong>Issues</strong><br />

<strong>Ethical</strong> Standards


V a n e s s a P r i c e<br />

How should we Process the<br />

<strong>Issues</strong><br />

Acknowledge the Feel<strong>in</strong>gs<br />

Identify the Behavior<br />

Evaluate the Relationship<br />

Identify Resources<br />

Plan and Closure


V a n e s s a P r i c e<br />

Objectives<br />

• To demonstrate the importance of probation and<br />

law enforcement collaborations to identify and<br />

address ethical issues with<strong>in</strong> the drug court<br />

context


V a n e s s a P r i c e<br />

<strong>Ethical</strong> <strong>Issues</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>Law</strong> <strong>Enforcement</strong><br />

• Primary Responsibilities of a Police Officer<br />

• A police officer acts as an official representative of<br />

government who is required and trusted to work<br />

with<strong>in</strong> the law. The officer's powers and duties are<br />

conferred by statute. The fundamental duties of a<br />

police officer <strong>in</strong>clude serv<strong>in</strong>g the community;<br />

safeguard<strong>in</strong>g lives and property; protect<strong>in</strong>g the<br />

<strong>in</strong>nocent; keep<strong>in</strong>g the peace; and ensur<strong>in</strong>g the<br />

rights of all to liberty, equality and justice.


V a n e s s a P r i c e<br />

<strong>Ethical</strong> <strong>Issues</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>Law</strong> <strong>Enforcement</strong><br />

• Performance of the Duties of a Police Officer<br />

A police officer shall perform all duties impartially, without<br />

favor or affection or ill will and without regard to status, sex,<br />

race, religion, political belief or aspiration. All citizens will be<br />

treated equally with courtesy, consideration and dignity.<br />

• Officers will never allow personal feel<strong>in</strong>gs, animosities or<br />

friendships to <strong>in</strong>fluence official conduct, <strong>Law</strong>s will be enforced<br />

appropriately and courteously and, <strong>in</strong> carry<strong>in</strong>g out their<br />

responsibilities, officers will strive to obta<strong>in</strong> maximum<br />

cooperation from the public. They will conduct themselves <strong>in</strong><br />

appearance and deportment <strong>in</strong> such a manner as to <strong>in</strong>spire<br />

confidence and respect for the position of public trust they<br />

hold.


V a n e s s a P r i c e<br />

<strong>Ethical</strong> <strong>Issues</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>Law</strong> <strong>Enforcement</strong><br />

• Confidentiality<br />

• Whatever a police officer sees, hears or learns of,<br />

which is of a confidential nature, will be kept<br />

secret unless the performance of duty or legal<br />

l<br />

provision requires otherwise.<br />

• Members of the public have a right to security and<br />

privacy, and <strong>in</strong>formation obta<strong>in</strong>ed about them<br />

must not be improperly divulged.


V a n e s s a P r i c e<br />

Why are ethics important<br />

• You are constantly yplaced <strong>in</strong> a position of hav<strong>in</strong>g<br />

to make ethical decisions. Thus it is important<br />

that you know what and ethical situation is and<br />

the impact a decision may have<br />

• One can only become an ethical decision maker<br />

after a number of alternatives are known


V a n e s s a P r i c e<br />

Pr<strong>in</strong>ciples of Decision Mak<strong>in</strong>g<br />

• Ends-based th<strong>in</strong>k<strong>in</strong>g<br />

• Do whatever produces the greatest good for the greatest<br />

number<br />

• Rule-based th<strong>in</strong>k<strong>in</strong>g<br />

• Follow only the pr<strong>in</strong>ciple that you want everyone else to<br />

follow<br />

• Care-based th<strong>in</strong>k<strong>in</strong>g<br />

• Do to others what you would like them to do to you


<strong>Law</strong> <strong>Enforcement</strong> Ethics<br />

How Ethics Impact<br />

Your Role<br />

On the Team


Ethics Def<strong>in</strong>ed<br />

•Ethics is a code of values<br />

which guide our choices and<br />

actions and determ<strong>in</strong>e the<br />

purpose and course of our<br />

lives


Why do we need a Code of Ethics<br />

• You are constantly yplaced <strong>in</strong> a<br />

position of hav<strong>in</strong>g to make ethical<br />

decisions. Thus it is important that<br />

you know what and ethical situation<br />

is and the impact a decision may have<br />

• One can only become an ethical<br />

decision maker after a number of<br />

alternatives are known


Pr<strong>in</strong>ciples for decision-mak<strong>in</strong>g<br />

• Ends-based th<strong>in</strong>k<strong>in</strong>g<br />

◦ Do whatever produces the greatest good for<br />

the greatest number<br />

• Rule-based th<strong>in</strong>k<strong>in</strong>g<br />

◦ Follow only the pr<strong>in</strong>ciple p that you want<br />

everyone else to follow<br />

• Care-based th<strong>in</strong>k<strong>in</strong>g<br />

◦ Do to others what you would like them to do<br />

to you


Represent<strong>in</strong>g the Crim<strong>in</strong>al<br />

Justice System<br />

• <strong>Ethical</strong> people are made, not born<br />

• Peer pressure can work for you or<br />

aga<strong>in</strong>st you<br />

• Every profession must have the<br />

ability and will<strong>in</strong>gness to police itself<br />

• Situational Ethics Everybody y is<br />

do<strong>in</strong>g it!


Ethics <strong>in</strong> Community Relations<br />

A ffi h i<br />

• A peace officer must serve the entire<br />

community, and represent special <strong>in</strong>terest<br />

groups


Ethics and other Crim<strong>in</strong>al Justice<br />

Personnel<br />

One must seriously make every effort to<br />

perform <strong>in</strong> accordance with basic ethics,<br />

the law, and departmental regulations.<br />

THIS re<strong>in</strong>forces<br />

RESPECT AND TRUST


Moral Courage<br />

Courage is the state of m<strong>in</strong>d or spirit that<br />

enables one to face danger with selfpossession,<br />

confidence, and resolution,<br />

bravery and valor<br />

MORAL VS. PHYSICAL


Courage<br />

• PHYSICAL<br />

◦ Fac<strong>in</strong>g an armed suspect<br />

• MORAL<br />

◦ Refus<strong>in</strong>g gratuities<br />

◦ Refus<strong>in</strong>g to participate <strong>in</strong> a cover-up<br />

◦ Refus<strong>in</strong>g to participate <strong>in</strong> ethnic or gender<br />

based humor or practical jokes


<strong>Ethical</strong> Decision Mak<strong>in</strong>g Checklist<br />

• Is the decision legal<br />

◦ Will my actions violate laws, codes, or<br />

constitutional rights<br />

• Is the decision balanced<br />

◦ Is the decision fair for everyone<br />

• How will I feel about myself after this<br />

decision<br />

◦ Will it withstand public scrut<strong>in</strong>y


The A.C.T. System<br />

• ALTERNATIVES<br />

◦ Identify your choices<br />

• CONSEQUENCES<br />

◦ Project Outcomes<br />

• TELL YOUR STORY<br />

◦ Prepare a defense<br />

You move through each of these steps as you consider a situation

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