Introduction
It is important to note that the self-perception of criminal justice professionals can greatly influence their ethical behavior in carrying out their assigned duties. If a police officer sees themselves primarily as crime fighter, they may be more likely to prioritize using force and making arrests over protecting due process and ensuring equal protection for all individuals. This can lead to a disregard for the civil rights of certain individuals and a lack of empathy for those who have been affected by crime. The approach can additionally create a divide between the police and the community they are supposed to serve, leading to mistrust and hostility. The latter two create a seriously problematic environment enabling more crimes.
On the other hand, if a police officer sees themselves as public servant, they may be more likely to prioritize protecting the rights and well-being of all individuals, including criminals. They will be more likely to use force as a last resort and may be more willing to engage in community policing and other proactive approaches to reducing crime. The given approach can lead to better relationships with the community and a greater understanding of the root causes of crime. It is important to note that the self-perception of a criminal justice professional is not the only factor that influences ethical behavior (Dowd, 2018). The culture and policies of their department, as well as the broader criminal justice system, play a significant role as well. However, self-perception is an important consideration and one that criminal justice professionals should be aware of in order to ensure that they are fulfilling their duty to protect and serve the community in an ethical manner.
Political Courtesy
In the field of law enforcement, officers are faced with difficult ethical dilemmas on a daily basis. These dilemmas often require officers to balance their duty to enforce the law with the potential harm that could be caused by their actions. One such scenario is the case of a law enforcement officer, Antonne, who stops City Council Member Peggy Hertz for a traffic violation. In this situation, Antonne must navigate the ethical principles of justice and do no harm while also considering the potential repercussions of his actions.
Overview and Problem Statement
In order to properly understand the intricacies and complexities of the issue in the case, it is useful to define what political courtesy is and how it is a problem for the provided scenario. Political courtesy refers to the practice of law enforcement officers showing leniency or preferential treatment to political figures or individuals with political influence (Pollock, 2018). In the case scenario provided, the city council member, Peggy Hertz, uses her political influence by demanding to know if Antonne knows who she is and trying to use it to avoid receiving a ticket. Antonne’s decision to issue the ticket based on public safety and his immediate notification to his supervisor to apprise her of the situation shows that he is not exhibiting political courtesy. Instead, he is upholding his duty to enforce the law and maintain public safety without showing preferential treatment to any individual, regardless of their political status.
Ethical System: Carrying Out Duties as A Law Enforcement Officer
Firstly, the ethical system that Antonne should apply in carrying out his duties as a law enforcement officer is the principle of justice. Justice is the fair and impartial treatment of all individuals, regardless of their status or position. According to Ethical Dilemmas and Decisions in Criminal Justice by Joycelyn M. Pollock (2018), “justice as fairness is the idea that individuals are entitled to impartial treatment that is consistent with the rule of law” (p. 135). In this scenario, City Council Member Peggy Hertz should be held accountable for her actions just like any other individual. Antonne should not show preferential treatment to Peggy Hertz because of her position in the community.
The Moral Rules: If The Driver Were a Non-Political Figure
Secondly, in considering his response to the situation, Antonne should also follow the moral rule of doing no harm. This means that he should consider the potential harm that could be caused to the community by not enforcing the law, as well as the harm that could be caused to the reputation of the law enforcement agency by appearing to be influenced by political considerations. According to Joycelyn M. Pollock (2018), “moral rules are general principles that guide action in particular situations” (p. 136). In this scenario, the moral rule of doing no harm would guide Antonne’s decision to enforce the law and issue a ticket based on the circumstances of the situation.
Ethical and Moral Behavior: If The Driver Were a Fellow Police Officer
Thirdly, however, if the driver were a fellow police officer, Antonne’s ethical and moral behavior would be different. As a police officer, Antonne would be required to enforce the law and hold his fellow officer accountable for their actions. However, he would also consider the potential harm that could be caused to the department and the community by publicly arresting a fellow officer (Walker & Katz, 2011). In this scenario, Antonne would consult with his supervisor and follow the department’s protocol for handling such situations, which may include internal disciplinary measures rather than public arrest. Joycelyn M. Pollock (2018) states that “ethical dilemmas are situations in which moral rules conflict or are inapplicable” (p. 136). In this scenario, the ethical dilemma is balancing the duty to enforce the law with the potential harm that could be caused by a public arrest of a fellow officer.
Conclusion
In conclusion, as a law enforcement officer, Antonne is faced with a difficult ethical dilemma when he stops City Council Member Peggy Hertz for a traffic violation. He must navigate the ethical principles of justice and do no harm while also considering the potential repercussions of his actions. He should apply the principle of justice and ensure that Peggy Hertz is held accountable for her actions, just like any other individual. He should also follow the moral rule of doing no harm and enforce the law based on the circumstances of the situation. If the driver were a fellow police officer, Antonne’s ethical and moral behavior would be different and would require him to consult with his supervisor and follow department protocol for handling such situations. Overall, Antonne’s ethical and moral behavior should be guided by the principle of justice and the moral rule of treating all individuals equally and enforcing the law without discrimination. He would respond in the same manner if the driver were a non-political figure or non-law enforcement officer, as the law applies to all individuals equally.
References
Dowd, M. (2018). Role of a police officer. Chron. Web.
Pollock, J. M. (2018). Ethical dilemmas and decisions in criminal justice (10th ed.). Cengage Learning.
Walker, S., & Katz, C. M. (2011). Foundations: Police and society. In S. Walker & C. M. Katz (Eds.), The police in America: An introduction (pp. 1-21). McGraw Hill.