The ethics of a person or their behavior is very important. It is important to follow this moral rule because it represents fairness and honesty. Many people hold different views about ethics and how they apply their ethical standards. It is important to follow the rules and ethics of each principle. McCartney & Parent (2005) state that ethics are not important so as to understand philosophy, but so as to improve our way of living. It is the action of those who enforce the law and punish the people who break rules in society. Also, it requires that you adhere to all rules and regulations. It focused more on the letters of the laws than their spirit. It is possible to maintain public safety and reduce crime by enforcing the law.
Law enforcement officers can commit misconduct in many ways, whether they are on duty or not. Garrett (2015) explains that the acts of misconduct can range from small mistakes in judgement to the deliberate exploitation and criminal element. Misconduct or corruption can harm the integrity and reputation of any profession, regardless of who is at fault. The term misconduct refers to the inappropriate or unacceptable behavior of a professional. It is common for law enforcement to commit wrongdoings like accepting bribes and gratuities, as well as stealing money from innocent citizens or criminals. It is also a breach of trust in the society, which law enforcement officials are expected to have for each other.
It is a vast subject that includes detailed descriptions to guide a person when faced with a dilemma. The Law of Enforcement Code of Ethics has been written in a very clear and detailed manner for the purpose of regulation. The Law of Enforcement Code of Ethics lays out the mission of law-enforcement agencies, and the commitment they make to serve the public. For those who are in the criminal law fields, such as a policeman, they must adhere to the rules. Criminal justice officials must make correct decisions or risk being killed themselves. Ethics is a tough decision for officers. The law enforcement officer is expected to adhere to the ethics of law enforcement. This act often causes ethical dilemmas and issues for those upholding the law. Law enforcement has many ethical issues. These include: the officer’s life off duty, using force when necessary, upholding your rights, acting in an impartial manner, and profiling.
Professional organizations within the community of law enforcement have raised awareness about the importance ethics. Many officers in law enforcement believe that the rule of ethical strengthens an organization’s mission and ability to resolve moral quandaries, as well as adherence to policy and procedure. McCartney & Parent (2005) cite several reasons why ethics are important to law enforcement. Firstly, it is important to improve society. Acts that help build a stronger society will result in a happier and more fulfilling life for the individual. Treat everyone equally. The definition of equality is that everyone is treated with equal rights. However, this cannot be achieved without a moral majority. Last but not least, stress is reduced. We feel uneasy and anxious when we make unethical decision. Stress is reduced when you make the right moral choice on a particular issue.
Garrett (2015) found three examples of possible misconduct by law enforcement officials. First, a Tennessee officer forced a woman into performing oral sex with him. Willie Marshay Greer (33) a Tennessee patrolman who was driving at the speed limit when he stopped the woman, found that the woman had an outstanding warrant to arrest her. He said he would “strike up a deal”. Greer forced her to have oral sex while his hands were handcuffed. Greer violated the ethics of law enforcement and committed misconduct. Chicago cops also sodomized another man who was being groomed to become a drugs informant. Angel Perez (32) is suing Chicago Police Department in 2012 after claiming that officers beat him up and sexually abused him using a gun, forcing him to become a informant. VICE reported that one officer inserted what was thought to be a revolver from a serving officer into the plaintiff’s lower rectum. According to the complaint, the officers laughed hysterically as they inserted the object. Sergeant Cline also joked about almost blowing your brains out. These officers are clearly lacking in ethics and integrity. The officers involved in this incident are clearly individuals who have bad character and enjoy victimizing other people. They do not belong in law-enforcement.
Then, King City police were arrested for a corruption case. The top officers in King City Police Department stole cars from the city’s poorest residents for many years. This was revealed by District Attorney Dean Flippo in February 2014 on a Tuesday. On Tuesday, the former acting chief of police in King City and four other police officers were charged with felony crimes. Four were charged with bribery (including embezzlement), conspiracy, and embezzlement. In this scheme, the owner a local tow-truck company who is also the brother of acting chief of police officer was arrested. The scheme involved imprisoning cars driven by mostly unlicensed motorists and selling them to the owners when they were unable pay the towing and storage charges. In this case, the officers involved are not acting in their capacity as officers of law enforcement. The incident ended with the arrests of several subjects, ranging from theft to assault. Despite the complaints of residents of the town, the police did not act until after the offenses had been committed for three years.