Question
I need to rewrite/paraphrase the following ... Introduction The study of ethics in law enforcement has continued to grow and expand over a couple of
I need to rewrite/paraphrase the following ...
Introduction
The study of ethics in law enforcement has continued to grow and expand over a couple of years as cases of police use of excessive force continue to surface in the courtroom and media. The three issues that have led to the role of ethics in policing include the police culture, style of policing, and police as an institution (Banks, 2013). Ethics has become an issue because many officers overuse the authority and power that has been granted to them. Police officers can take away citizens' freedom, seize individual liberties, and take life when necessary. They also have discretionary powers that allow them to choose which laws they should enforce (Haarr, 2001).
Therefore, officers should ensure ethical standards are maintained to be adequately used for these powers and discretion. In cases where police officers' actions are unethical, many people question why police officers are granted so much power. According to Goldsmith (2005), the main reason why police officers are granted this power is that their position requires heightened power and control. Police chiefs and administrators are responsible for ensuring that ethics is maintained and a culture of ethical behavior is established and maintained.
Law Enforcement Code of Ethics vs. Cop Subcultures
Police officers usually face a very tough day while at work, balancing their loyalty to the community and their fellow officers' loyalty. Many police agencies make their officers take an oath to serve and protect people without allowing friendships, prejudices, and emotions to affect their actions (Brown, 2012). As police officers work together, they build relationships that lead to the development of a cop code. They tend to hide crucial information and have a code of silence in which they protect their colleagues.
The law enforcement code of ethics emphasizes the public servant role. At the same time, the cop subculture focuses more on the crime fighter role. One of the ethical issues that are raised by this difference is the use of unnecessary force. As a public servant, a police officer is required to uphold the law, while as a crime fighter, the officer is required to use force in some cases. However, there is no explicit limit to force (Pollock, 2007). This causes police officers to apply unnecessary and unjustified force.
The Black Lives Matter movement highlights the public's concern about unnecessary force by police officers. In many cases, police officers are required to make a hasty decision on the kind of force that should be used. Any misjudgment on the level of force to be used can lead to the officer or fellow officers' death or injury.
Another ethical issue that is raised by conflict between law enforcement ethics and police subculture is acting impartially. The police code of ethics requires officers to use the same standards and ensure equality among all citizens. Even so, it is very difficult for police officers to treat all people equally.
One of the ethical theories that should be applied to address these issues is the rights ethical theory. This theory is based on the idea that the rights established in a society should be protected and given the highest priority. Rights are ethically correct since the people endorse them.
In the United States of America, a constitution states all the rights that citizens have. Police officers must work towards ensuring that these rights are upheld. Police officers should be made aware of the citizens' rights and be taught how to deal with complex issues. This can help in ensuring that every citizen is treated well and in a just manner.
Advantages of Ethical Pluralism Over Ethical Absolutism and Ethical Relativism
Ethical pluralism is based on the argument that there are several truths in many situations instead of one truth. The advantage of ethical pluralism over ethical absolutism and ethical relativism focuses on understanding and appreciating the meaning of ethical standards in other cultures and their perspective (Bumgarner, 2002). For example, it is important to understand the cultural and historical context surrounding female circumcision before making any rules and condemning others.
Another advantage of ethical pluralism is that it focuses on tolerance. This means that it focuses on accepting that differences exist in ethical standards instead of denying this fact (Dempsey and Forst, 2013). This, therefore, rules out ethical absolutism.
Another advantage of ethical pluralism is that it supports standing up against evil. Understanding and tolerating ethical standards should not lead people to a state where they let others pass, like how ethical relativism argues (Banks, 2013). People should be prepared and have the courage to stand up against evil, mainly when it affects the marginalized and powerless people in the world.
Ethics training is very important for law enforcement personnel mainly due to the nature of their job. Since law enforcement officers are public servants, they are held to a very high standard when they act in an unethical manner. This is because acting unethically violates the public trust and destroys the image of law enforcement.
Police officers do not receive enough training to help them achieve a higher standard of morale and ethics, helping them avoid negative influences of questionable societal norms (Brown, 2012). The reason for this is that there are very many cases of unethical behavior regarding law enforcement. Some of the cases that have become serious cases are caused by mistakes that could be avoided if police officers were getting enough training on ethics and morale. The police use of force, particularly on African Americans and other minority communities, clearly indicates that officers do not get enough training.
Changes Designed
Ethics and morals are very important in law enforcement. Leaders have a very crucial role in the creation of an ethical subculture as well as determining the ethical orientation of their agencies. One of the changes that can be made to ensure ethical behavior is incorporating ideals and values in mission statements. Mission statements should not be taken since they are tools that can be used to state values for all people to see (Wyatt and Franks, 2009). Some police agencies usually develop mission statements and give them to their workers. However, they do not follow up to establish whether the people understood the mission of the agency or not. The agencies do not explain to the officers how the mission can be accomplished, which leads to unethical behavior.
Another way through which ethical behavior can be ensured is by focusing on training sessions. Ethical behavior should be one of the topics taught in all training lessons. Leaders should not assume that police officers are capable of making ethical decisions all the time. Instead, they should train them and keep reminding them that ethical behavior is very important in their daily activities. Training on ethics is very important since it ensures that officers do not violate the organizational policy, use excessive force, or engage in immoral conduct (Lersch and Kunzman, 2001).
Another change that can be made is to emphasize the philosophy. Law enforcement agencies should reflect ethics in philosophies and policies. Law enforcement leaders should be aware of the adherence to crime control models rather than ethical behavior.
Law enforcement agencies should not tolerate unethical activities that include unethical behavior at the administration level. In other words, agencies should have a policy of zero tolerance to unethical behavior (Wyatt and Franks, 2009). In many cases, when police officers are unethical, agencies tend to shy away from accepting the truth and accepting that an officer is unethical.
How to Influence Subordinates
Supervisors can influence the subordinates to avoid potential negative influences from friends and associates by using the right supervisory style. According to research conducted by Ashcroft, Daniels, and Hart (2003), frontline supervisory styles can influence a patrol officer's behavior in making arrests, using force, community policing, and issuing citations. Frontline supervisors such as lieutenants and sergeants can influence patrol officers' behavior (McElvain and Kposowa, 2008).
Police supervisors can use four supervisory styles: active supervisory style, innovative style, supportive style, and traditional supervisory style. Traditional supervisors expect aggressive enforcement from the subordinates instead of engagement with the community (Hickman and Reaves, 2006). This type of supervisor makes all the decisions alone, and they instruct officers on how to handle incidents.
The innovative supervisors tend to form relationships, and they consider officers to be friends. They have a positive view of the subordinates, and they encourage them to use new methods and philosophies of policing (Engel, 2003). They encourage the subordinates to use problem-solving strategies through mentoring them, facilitating them, and coaching them.
Supportive supervisors support police officers by protecting them from punishment and discipline regarded as unfair and providing inspirational motivation. Supervisors who use this type of leadership tend to serve as a buffer between the management and officers to protect the officers from discipline and criticism.
Another supervisory style that affects and influences police officers is the active supervisory style. Active supervisors are based on the idea of leading by example (Manis et al., 2008). Supervisors that use this style tend to be actively involved in all policing activities. They work alongside the subordinates, and they perform the functions of a supervisor and an officer.
Among these four styles, a supervisor should use the supportive and innovative style. These two styles can help a supervisor influence subordinates to avoid potential negative influences from friends and associates.
The best way a supervisor can influence subordinates to avoid potential negative influences from friends and associates is by making them aware of negative influences. Supervisors have the permission to hold meetings with subordinates on issues that are important. Therefore, it is suitable for supervisors to hold meetings where they teach their subordinates the effects of negative influences from friends and associates. This can make the subordinates avoid friends and associates that have a negative influence on them.
The second way to influence subordinates to avoid negative influences is by setting the right example. Supervisors should understand that they are role models to their subordinates. It is important to have the right friends and avoid people who have a negative influence.
How Ethical Behaviors Will be Measured Within Your Department
Ethical behavior can be measured by the number and frequency of complaints made against officers and the agency. This can be done by collecting and analyzing feedback from the citizens regularly. The feedback can help to measure whether the officers are behaving ethically or not.
Another way to measure ethical behavior in the department is by conducting survey questionnaires with rating scales. The questionnaires should be filled by the public and every individual that visits the department to get assistance (Paoline and Terrill, 2007). This survey can help to determine whether officers are behaving ethically.
The third way through which ethical behavior can be measured in a department is through text analysis. Police departments receive very many messages from the public via email and mobile phones. Big data sets such as internal emails can be analyzed to measure ethical behavior in the department. These big data sets can be analyzed using data analytics. Technology has led to many changes and advancements that can help police officers and administrators ensure that the public's services are of high quality.
Conclusion
In conclusion, police culture determines police behavior. There are several ways police, supervisors, chiefs, and administrators can ensure ethical behavior, such as the use of the right supervisory style.
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