Law Enforcement

Case Study Analyses
Unit 5 sought to examine the extent to which the unsuitable conduct of law enforcement officers has impacted the reputation of not only the profession of policing but also that of corrections. From the readings and unit discussion, I learnt that lapses in the recruiting process (whereby persons not fit to serve are nonetheless recruited and assigned sensitive duties) has in the past resulted in the recruitment of some ‘bad apples’ who proceed to engage in inappropriate behaviors and ultimately give the professions a bad name.
One of the things that engaged me most about the material was the fact that there have been numerous instances of sheer incompetence and gross negligence on the part of those entrusted with the mandate of maintaining law and order. The murder of James Mongeon is one such instance. What appears even more surprising is that if such negligence and incompetence is allowed to thrive, it becomes a culture supported and advanced by the entire ecosystem. This is clear from the highlighted instances of leadership failures and adoption of code of silence ‘policies.’
I am convinced that the relevance of ensuring that some clear and concise standards of practice are adhered to cannot be overstated. Towards this end, the said standards of practice ought to be reinforced by federal government controls so as to guarantee their implementation. These, in my opinion, would help eliminate ideologies that either reinforce or promote inappropriate behaviors.