Police Ethics Essay

For every profession, there is an associated code of morals, which dictate the norms for the drill of that particular profession. Thus we afford business ethics and medical ethics to guide professional in the germane(predicate) fields. These guidelines argon ethical codes, establish on moral reasoning, formed to deliver the good (product or emolument) with proper means.Sometimes the codes of ethics atomic number 18 formed and evaluated with respect to applic suitable practice of equitys and sometimes with respect to moral constabularys. Police ethics is applying the above principles to policing. It should be noted here that faithfulness ethics is considerably under genuine comp atomic number 18d to medical or business ethics. This is mainly beca hire of the misunder underpining of the imply of patrol ethics. Law and ethics are different perspectives that are pertinent for professions.The lifeline of law and order for every order is obviously its constabulary for ce force. scarcely when the law of nature are seen to be righteous, the people would have respect and confidence on them. The open would be willing to cooperate and dish police personnel, only when they remain trust worthy. It is therefore very important for the police personnel to command the respect and goodwill of the people, to function effectively. The public-police relationship is vital, for maintaining law and order, and this relationship kitty be strengthened only when police manners themselves in appropriate manner.Every police police military officeholder moldiness elucidate that they quest to be law-abiding citizens too, and serve the society with an unbargained commitment and desire (Proctor, 1997). Members of the police plane section have to adhere to a code of moral philosophy or ethics, if they have to win and retain the trust and respect of the society they serve. It is only when they act in an unfair or inappropriate manner, pliant on their responsi bilities and determine, that they f every low, in public esteem.High ranking officers in police department have powers and privileges given to them, to help them to achieve get out in their tariff of service to the public. When these are mis employ, used with bias, or novel for reasons of personal interest then they defeat the purpose for which they were established. In doing so, the relevant officers have used their power and privileges to harm the society, instead of using it to help society. Police department personnel should avoid relationships that whoremaster be interpret as being unfair or partial.They should realize that accepting gifts and favors are not too far from direct bribes, as these too must carry a sense of gratitude and obliging. Favors particularly, keep flowing out for any police staff, either on work or off duty. bantam time favors that dont look bad include throw in transport, low pricing, meals and refreshments, and home-based delivery/services. Ev en if the officer accepts these with a mindset of not going to oblige, or go out of the way to repay the favor, the supplier of the favor expects one.It is unethical if such a gesture is not repaid. If these are unconsciously accepted at the initial stages, an urge to receive more, gradu tout ensembley develops, which soon gets transformed as a right to receive. The association and police service expect law enforcement personnel to lead a true and decent life. Inappropriate lend in private life, disrespecting the law or seeking special privileges reflect appropriately, not only on the officer but the police service as a whole.Police officers need to refrain from accepting such favors in the course of instruction execution their duty. nigh department members do not hesitate to seek favors directed towards raw(a) departmental expenses on most occasions. This looks normal to the police higher officials too, as they are under instruction to reduce expenditures. Sometimes they wh itethorn have received administrative orders too, saying that repair or replacement would cook time, or cannot be done till the close of the financial year.such(prenominal) policies only encourage the relevant police staff to look to outside free sources. These include repair and maintenance of their premises, small stationary requirements, judge needs etc. It is unfortunate that no one within the establishment machinery is either aware or realize the negative consequences of such policies. These officers need to realize the extent of public participation in law enforcement, in accordance with binding ethics. Even in their interaction with their own suppliers, the department can be benefited with higher quality and lower costs, when the officers concerned stand up to the same without accepting favors.There are several ship canal to benefit, directly or indirectly, from unethical conduct. A twisted officer can develop opportunities of benefit from any and every situation. It requ ires a fair and duty bound officer to turn down benefit aspects and execute the job. direct and straightforward officers carry with them the credibility of their department. It requires self-commitment and voluntary adoption of ethics to carry out in a manner worthy of public respect. It is indeed dreary that many police officers have preferred to amass wealth by dint of their disrespect of integrity.As these officers are mostly part of the law enforcement machinery, they practically get away unchecked. The only way such tainted officers can be reformed is by self-judgment and choice, rather than external enforcement. Although there are several such dis downright and corrupt policemen, it is only those few, who uphold values and ethics against all adversities, that the department still commands respect and trust. The code of ethics helps police officers to make decisions in dilemma situations, on a day-by-day basis.The ethics toolkit issued by the International Association of Chiefs of Police, emphasizes on the dos and donts of the police, with regard to legal and ethical conduct. It identifies accountability as the duty of all officers to truthfully acknowledge and explain their actions and decisions when requested to do so by an authorized member of this agency without deception or imposture. Although the toolkit does not bar police officials from receiving gifts and other items of value, it emphasizes that those receiving unsolicited gifts and items should report the pass on of such things.If required, they should also provide a detailed report of the serving under which they were received. Officers should also not buy or keep articles or properties found, impounded, recovered or abandoned. Police officers, through their position in law enforcement, gain access to information which again should not be used for financial gains or benefits. An important misuse of police power is when they use their powers to resolve personal problems (i.e. problems a nd issues of the police officer or his friends and relatives). Officers should not direct themselves in ordinary references handle arresting, booking traffic violations, etc., when they are not traveling in a marked police vehicle.The duty of a law enforcement officer is primarily to be in self-compliance with the law, himself. The officer should be aware of law enforcements upon himself, when he is on duty, enforcing it. The officer should realize that his armorial bearing in the force and the force itself has been established in line with the association welfare aspirations. Whether the officer is engaged at the local, state or federal official level, he plays a role in enforcing the community or public will, a will of safety, security and equality of all.Through all his actions, the officer should defend this system and be careful not to encroach upon it. The law enforcement officer should use his powers to arrest offenders, only in accord with all existing laws (IIT, 2008). At time of arresting, the officer should respect the rights of the offender. In executing the arrest, the officer should only use the minimum physical force necessary. The officer needs to conduct himself with respect to self-compliance, to uphold the law, when dealing with both, law abiders and law violators.It is evident that police officers, who are properly educated and trained, are able to respond better to ethical and moral situations demanded by their professions. It is very important for police officers to be able to overcome their moral and ethical dilemmas, for them to perform their duties and obligations in a professional way (Pagon, 2003). The police officer should be familiar with the principles of police ethics and needs to be trained in moral reasoning and ethics based decision-making. Supervisors have an important role in establishing and promoting the spirit of the code of ethics. They should be role models in the communitys effort of delivering impartial, effectiv e and professional policing service.The supervisors should ensure that individuals under their steering and business develop their professional performance. They should question and address behaviors which violate conduct codes, apart from reporting wherever appropriate (NIPB, 2007). The supervisors responsibility of maintaining professional standards and integrity can be facilitated by advice, corrective or appropriate action. When complaints of misconducts are brought by public, the supervisor must investigate and pass on appropriate actions. He should send a message that there would be no compromise on any actions by any staff that are directed to personal interests.The police officers of today face a tough challenge of maintaining law and order in the society like never before. The enforcement officers of today combat crimes, law and order situations and risks that were not relevant ever before. Life style changes, technological developments and international relevance for al l happenings, have made the job tougher. There is no doubt that for the agree officer, such situations open up newer avenues of quick money and wealth. But for the honest officer, he would be without all such illegal benefits.Tainted officers may go free, enjoy their ill-gotten wealth but it is the money get by honest means that give the satisfaction and peace of mind. by from satisfaction, there is an immense sense of self-value, that one would cherish forever. Living on legitimate earnings, is in several ways, a pride to the family and the community, to which the officer belongs. An honest officer needs no certificate. He is easily identified and regard by the public and his very own colleagues. The most capable and regardful officer is perhaps one, who can say each day to himself I dont fall for money or favors.REFERENCESProctor S.T. 1997. metropolitan Police Department Ethics and Integrity. Electronic Version retrieved on 24th run into 2008 from http//www.dcwatch.com/polic e/971215.htmInternational Association of Chiefs of Police (2002) Ethics Toolkit Electronic Version retrieved on twenty-fifth serve 2008 from http//www.theiacp.org/profassist/ethics/model_policy.htmIllinois Institute of Technology CSEP (2008) Canons of police ethics Electronic Version retrieved on 25th March 2008 fromhttp//ethics.iit.edu/codes/coe/int.assoc.chiefs.police.canons.htmlPagon M. (2003) Police ethics and integrity Electronic Version retrieved on 26th March 2008 from http//www.police-studies.com/papers/police-ethics-integrity.pdfNorthern Ireland Policing Board (2007) Code of ethics for the police service of Northern Ireland integrity Electronic Version retrieved on 26th March 2008 from http//www.nipolicingboard.org.uk/nipb_ethics.pdf