Law enforcement officers are expected to live up to the highest professional and personal standards of life. With every passing day and just like all people; the faith, honor and integrity of a law enforcement official will be tested. Law enforcement officials are tempted with and can easily succumb to deviant activity. Which will weigh out to be more between police ethics and deviance?
Defining Ethics, the Ethical Standards of Policing, and its Role "[E]thics can be defined as the practical, normative study of the rightness and wrongness of human conduct." (Dempsey, 2005) Ethics, integrity, and values go hand in hand for the law enforcement official. A police officer is expected to live above the law, well after their shift has ended. When a law enforcement officer clocks out for the night, they are expected to go home and live up to the same code of ethics they follow while in uniform and on the clock. An officer of the law takes an oath, the officer vows to "keep my private life unsullied as an example to all; maintain courageous calm in the face of danger, scorn or ridicule; develop self-restraint; and be constantly mindful of the welfare of others." (International Association of Chiefs of Police, 1950) Living above the law can be very hard for law enforcement officials.
[...] When deciding to find a career that will make a person rich; becoming a police officer would not be the greatest career move to make. This reason is why some police officers begin drug trafficking as side work. By becoming a drug dealer, one of the people they wish to keep off the streets, an officer may be able to support their families or even their own drug habit. Drugs might not be the only coping method a police officer may turn to. [...]
[...] [They] will constantly strive to achieve these objectives.” (International Association of Chiefs of Police, 1950) An officer has the right to choose their own path. A police officer can choose to save themselves and their career by obeying their vows to the Code of Ethics. Their second option is self destruction. By committing acts that violate the Police Officer's Code of Ethics they have the potential, to lose their job, respect from other officers, and self respect. Sources Used Dempsey, John S. (2005). Introduction to Policing. Oregon: Wadsworth Publishing. Hakim, Danny. [...]
[...] Which will weigh out to be more between police ethics and deviance? Defining Ethics, the Ethical Standards of Policing, and its Role “[E]thics can be defined as the practical, normative study of the rightness and wrongness of human conduct.” (Dempsey, 2005) Ethics, integrity, and values go hand in hand for the law enforcement official. A police officer is expected to live above the law, well after their shift has ended. When a law enforcement officer clocks out for the night, they are expected to go home and live up to the same code of ethics they follow while in uniform and on the clock. [...]
[...] (2008). Spitzer Is Target of Ethics Investigation. Retrieved September from http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/23/nyregion/23spitzer.html?_r=1. International Association of Chiefs of Police, The. (1950). Law Enforcement Code of Ethics. Retrieved September from http://www.sulross.edu/pages/3207.asp. O'Malley, Timothy J.(1997). Managing for Ethics: A Mandate for Administrators. Retrieved September from http://www.fbi.gov/publications/leb/1997/apr975.htm. [...]
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