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Introduction
As law enforcers, police officials are in a position to engage in decision- making capable of impacting people’s lives, possessions and freedom, and ethics- related knowledge would ensure they decide appropriately. Policepersons are responsible for enforcing the law and familiarity with ethics would ensure they do so impartially and with integrity. In this paper, ethical code is applied to the incident of police brutality at the time of Hurricane Katrina, on 4th September, 2005. Six civilians making their way across New Orleans’ Danziger Bridge were shot at by policepersons, with two losing their lives and the rest suffering from serious injury.
Code of ethics and the case study
Policepersons playing the role of law enforcers are chiefly responsible to serve humanity through defending their lives and possessions, upholding citizens’ constitutionally guaranteed rights to freedom, fairness and equality, and ensuring innocents are defrauded, the peaceful don’t suffer aggression and chaos, and the weak don’t suffer persecution or terrorization (Westmarland, 2005). The aforementioned wrongful shooting incident was a violation of police ethics. This ethical code is extended further in their oath of office, incorporating the following promises: to safeguard, defend and uphold the nation’s Constitution; behave with sobriety, honor and honesty; follow...
It is obligatory that they remain calm and brave when encountered with threats, condescension or mockery; always keep citizens’ welfare in mind; display honesty in action as well as thought, in their professional and personal lives; obey departmental rules and national statutes to the letter; and cultivate self- restraint (Westmarland, 2005). The aforementioned ethical principles were violated in several ways by the policemen who shot civilians post- Hurricane Katrina. Firstly, they violated the national law of not firing at weaponless civilians; further, they placed a weapon, faked witness statements, and forged reports following the shooting, depicting dishonesty and setting a bad example.
Policepersons’ ethical code necessitates recognition of their position as a representation of the public’s trust, which needs to be upheld. Moreover, policepersons need to endeavor continuously towards attaining these aims and standards, committing themselves to enforcing the law, before God (Westmarland, 2005). Firing at defenseless citizens, gravely injuring four and claiming the lives of two, as well as covering up their actions, have led to a loss of public trust and consequently, to a loss of respect for the profession in civilians’…
References
Westmarland, L. (2005). Police ethics and integrity: Breaking the blue code of silence. Policing and Society, 15(2), 145-165.
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Ethics in Law Enforcement "Sometimes [police officers] may, and sometimes may not, lie when conducting custodial interrogations. Investigative and interrogatory lying are each justified on utilitarian crime control grounds. Police are never supposed to lie as witnesses in the courtroom, although they may lie for utilitarian reasons similar to those permitting deception & #8230;" (Skolnick, et al., 1992) Is it ethical for law enforcement officers to use deception during the interrogation process?
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Ethics Police Ethics Police Department Ethics Ethics are a sticky situation that most people, no matter what their occupation, have to deal with. When it comes to a job like that of a police officer, it is an even more important consideration. Police have the power and backing to take life away from the individuals they pursue. Officers daily make decisions that can seriously affect their lives and those of the public. Thus
Ethics and Professional Behavior The American court system is one that has existed as long as the constitution has been in existence. They are provided for in the constitution of the U.S.A. And have the powers and mandate as prescribed in the constitution. The courts are fundamental in the society in regards to maintaining law and order and also bringing amicable, legal and acceptable settlements among people, organizations, institutions and even
Allabouttruth.org/moral-ethics.htm).In addition, almost 50% of the surveyed adults said they base their moral decisions on whatever will bring them the most pleasing or satisfying results (Moral Ethics, at (http://www.allabouttruth.org/moral-ethics.htm).Research in this area indicates that moral ethics are now considered relative to culture, relative to circumstance, and relative to the specific needs of the individual (Moral Ethics, at (http://www.allabouttruth.org/moral-ethics.htm). From the standpoint of the Department of Justice, moral ethics was a primary