1 LAW ENFORCEMENT ETHICS Means vs Ends Dilemma

2 Deonological vs Utilitarian is an approach to ethics that focuses on the rightness or wrongness of intentions or motives behind action such as respect for rights, duties, or principles, as opposed to the rightness or wrongness of the consequences of those actionsethics the moral worth of an action is determined solely by its contribution to overall utility: that is, its contribution to happiness or pleasure as summed among all persons - the moral worth of an action is determined by its outcome: put simply, the ends justify the meansmoral worthutilityaction

3 Ethics in a Democracy While consequences are important, the basis of a democratic society includes the notion that process is an integral part of a democracy and therefore, the basis for evaluating the behavior is the means not the ends

4 Forms of Behavior Ethical Organizational/Political Legal

5 Sources of Ethics Justice Law Agency Policy

6 Sources of Standards Law enforcement code of ethics and codes of professional conduct Organizational standards – established by departments and by state & national commissions Procedural and substantive laws – established by appeal court rulings and by legislation

7 Why are Ethical Standards an Issue? Social Contract Protection based on control mechanisms that contribute to the maintenance of order in return for surrendingin certain rights Government collectively represents the society as a whole and appoints agents (police) to enforce the control mechanisms

8 Social Contract (cont) Privileges granted to government include permission by the people to develop strictly limited processes and procedures Society expects that the government will protect citizens, respect the rights of citizens, and appoint agents who have the integrity to protect citizens and adhere to the conditions of the social contract

9 Police Roles Protector Crime fighter Service provider

10 What constitutes a Good police officer? Based upon Principles of Justice

11 Principles of Justice Fairness Rule of Law Behavior

12 Fairness Uphold the law regardless of who the offender is and not single out special groups Cannot use the position to take advantage of people Must avoid gratuities which could give the appearance of special treatment

13 Rule of Law Police are tools of the constitution and are mandated not to go beyond or supplant rule of their own Not concerned with law breakers, but their own behavior must be within the bounds of law. Police behavior must conform to the dictates of law and policy

14 Behavior Police officers must at all times and all places maintain a high standard of behavior consistent with the position of a public servant Practice higher standards of behavior in their public and private lives than most other people

15 Why is Ethics Important Play an important part of the internal image of police Play an important part in how the police are perceived by the public Ensure self-respect in the individual officer Mutual respect among officers

16 What is Integrity? Acting in ways consistent with an ethic

17 What is Police Deviance? Sex on duty Sleeping on duty Drinking/chemical use on duty Sexual harassment Quid-pro-quo harassment Hostile work environment

18 What is Police Corruption? Takes place when an officer receives or is promised significant advantage or reward for: Doing something he/she is under duty to do any way Doing something he/she is under duty not to do Exercising a legitimate discretion for improper reasons Employing illegal means to achieve approved goals

19 Rewards Personal rewards Money Gifts Access to power Organizational rewards Promotion Peer support Approval of Superiors

20 Slippery Slope Process of developing a moral career Passing through various stages of rationalization to more serious misdeeds in a graduated and systematic way Once a person gets past the first moral crisis, it become less difficult to rationalize new and more unethical behaviors

21 Why are Deviance/Corruption problems? Erosion of public service Falloff of confidence in government competency Overall lack of public trust and credibility Constant displays of lying, cheating, theft, etc. create Cynicism and threaten even the strongest code of ethic – especially when carried out by member of the criminal justice system

22 Corruption Mooching Perjury Prejudice Shopping Premeditated Theft Bribery/Extortion Shakedowns Opportunistic Theft Corruption of Authority – Chiseling Kickbacks The Fix Direct Criminal Activity Internal Payoffs Combative Corruption

23 Preventing Corruption Positive Leadership Political Influence Authority and Responsibility Policies and Procedures Internal-Affairs units Field Associate Programs Turning Integrity Testing