Criminal Justice
Law enforcement
Some things are fundamental to the history and progressive development of human society. The evolution of technology brings with it new challenges in the management of the security of the state. For this motive that law enforcement systems is set in the society to maintain and promote law and order (Law enforcement, 2002). Law enforcement systems act in organized manner, in the process of promoting adherence to the law of the country and identifying those who violate the laws and norms that govern the society. Law enforcement engages in the patrols and surveillance in dissuading and discovering criminal activities, investigating and apprehending the offenders. Law enforcement agencies and systems work in conjunction with judiciary services and correctional facilities, following the constitution of the land.
Parts of the Constitution of the United States most relevant to the ethical standards of law enforcement professionals
The United States law enforcement agencies -- that is the police and private law enforcers- compose the professionals in the system. These professionals work within the designated constitutional principles of the country in their duty of maintaining order. The constitutional requirements for recruiting and qualifying to become a law enforcement professional govern the professionals. The constitution has parts that regulate the operations and conduct of professionals in their duty (Tierney, 2009). The rules in the constitution relevant to the ethical standards of professionals are as follows: the professional should not exceed their authority in enforcing the law. The police shall not knowingly disobey the law or rules of criminal procedures. The police shall not restrict the freedoms of individuals, whether in arrest or detention, in violation of the laws and the constitution of the United States. The professionals, whether on or off duty, shall not consign any action that is against the law of the United States, unless when permitted by the performance of duty. The professionals should carry their duty with integrity, fairness and impartiality, adhering strictly to the constitution of the country; hence maintaining public faith in them. The professionals perform their duties in applying the law without prejudice and discrimination. The rationale behind this principle requires the trust and confidence of the public (Prenzler, 2009). This principle helps to maintain the effectiveness of professionals in their line of duty. The professionals have the obligation to treat the public with courtesy, respecting the rules and laws of the country. The constitution, therefore, outlines the expectations of the society on the law enforcement professionals in their line of duty. These constitutional provisions allow the professionals to operate ethically within the society.
How do law enforcement professionals ensure that they uphold the Constitution?
Law enforcement professionals have the obligation to enforce the law while upholding the constitution of the country. The process of recruiting the professionals to operate as law enforcement officers, there is a justified course followed to ensure that they follow the constitution (Prenzler, 2009). The first step to ensure that the professionals adhere to and uphold the constitution is the public affirmation of adherence to the oath of honor. The oath of honor for the professionals is the most powerful vehicle that demonstrates the ethical standards of upholding the constitution. To ensure that there is integrity within these enforcement organizations, the authority administers the oath of honor, which ensures ethical mentorship and modeling which is consistent with the constitutional requirements. The police uphold the oath of honor as a tool and measure to keep the law enforcement agencies within the right operations of the law.
Secondly, to ensure that the police maintain law and order, as well as, adhere to the constitution, there is the constitutional judicial system that deals with the enforcement professionals (Barker, 2011). This system addresses the issues and cases of legislation that govern the law enforcement professionals. When the professionals commit a crime, the judicial system prosecutes the cases of the officers and allows justice to prevail. Therefore, this department of the law enforcement professionals maintains the order within the operations of the country; hence maintaining law and order while upholding the constitution of the United States. Additionally, the law enforcement professionals have a social development format that addresses the social well-being of the officers. The counseling and social development departments help the professionals to develop effective code of conduct that keeps them in obedience to the constitution of United States. When the professionals adhere to the constitutional provisions that govern their code of conduct, they operate within the...
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