Ethics in Law Enforcement Analysis Sample

Paper Instructions

Academic level – Undergraduate 1-2
Type of paper – Analysis
Topic Title – Ethics in Law Enforcement

Instructions:

So when law enforcement officers are out in public doing what other groups are doing they are judged differently because of the position they hold. Discuss if this is fair?

Analysis Sample

Since they have an impact on both the communities that law enforcement personnel serve and themselves, ethical problems are crucial. These issues highlight the difficult trade-offs officers must make between their duty to defend society and the requirement to uphold a rigid, unbending code of conduct. The examination explores the fairness of public evaluations of law enforcement and dives into the complex moral problems that influence their behavior.

One of law enforcement’s central ethical dilemmas is being unbiased while dealing with numerous restrictions. Officers frequently encounter instances where strictly following protocol might not provide the most equitable results. Moreover, officers may struggle when forced to put the needs of the state ahead of those of a person, leading to arrests for infractions that might have major repercussions, including jail time, fines, losing one’s job, and reputational damage. Research has found that views of biased police were continuously linked to decreased legitimacy throughout youth and into early adulthood (Ethical issues in law enforcement, n.d.). In light of these ethically complex situations, considerable consideration is required regarding the deployment of police officers. The public generally expects officials to enforce the law impartially, but this objective may be challenging. Due to their familiarity with the persons involved, residents in small towns may need help to remain impartial, creating conflict between their personal relationships and professional commitments. The public’s trust in law enforcement is at risk due to rising public outrage over police brutality and calls for change; therefore, making moral decisions under pressure is essential to preserving that trust (Dempsey et al., 2023). The difficulties police have in striking a balance between their duties and upholding integrity and confidence in their communities are highlighted by the ethical issues associated with impartiality.

For moral law enforcement, balancing the officers’ rights and the public’s expectations remains valuable. Addressing biases, fostering understanding, and encouraging open dialogue between officers and communities is crucial to creating a just and effective policing system. A just and workable foundation for law enforcement ethics may be formed by encouraging open communication, removing systemic prejudices, and promoting a collaborative approach.

References

Dempsey, R. P., Eskander, E. E., & Dubljević, V. (2023). Ethical decision-making in law enforcement: A scoping review. Psych, 5(2), 576–601. https://doi.org/10.3390/psych5020037

Ethical issues in law enforcement. Concept. (n.d.). https://concept.paloaltou.edu/resources/business-of-practice-blog/ethical-issues-in-law-enforcement