Ethical Issues in Law Enforcement Enforcement
Ethical Issues in Law Enforcement Enforcement
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