Police and Ethics

Term Paper # 103766

Criminology
Ethics

Police and Ethics

This paper argues that there must be public confidence in the ethical standards of the police.

2,429 words () | 8 sources | APA | 2008 United States

Paper Summary:

The paper maintains that police departments have to institute and follow stronger ethical guidelines and enforce the measures aggressively in order to demonstrate a commitment to ethical behavior to the community. The paper looks at the community policing programs in Pittsburgh and in Los Angeles that involve creating partnerships with local government, police, schools and community groups for the prevention of crime. The paper also looks at relations between the police and the black community. The paper concludes that a stronger enforcement mechanism has to be instituted to see that behavior conforms to the ethical precepts set forth and that the public has confidence that this is so.

From the Paper:

"The city police represent the most visible aspect of law enforcement in the community, backed up by the courts, by state and federal levels, and by organizations both public and private dedicated to some aspect of law enforcement and the administration of justice. For most people, however, the local police would be the agency to call when a problem is perceived and help is needed. This places considerable pressure on the city police both to serve the public and also to represent law enforcement for the public. Problems develop in the latter role whenever a department or an individual officer engage in unethical behavior or otherwise cross the line, and the scrutiny given to the police at this level assures that every infraction discovered will become fodder for news reports and criticism from the community. The problem is clearly more acute in some communities, meaning poor and minority communities that do not trust the police even before such a problem erupts."

Sample of Sources Used:

Delattre, E.J. (1989). Character and cops: Ethics in policing. Washington, D.C.: American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research.
Fishbein, D. (1998, May 1). The comprehensive care model. The FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin 67, 1-5.
Grigg, W.N. (2001, September 24). Erasing the "Thin Blue Line." The New American, Volume 17, Issue 20, 10.
Kaufman J., & Gaiter, D. (1995, September 7). Shades of blue: Many minority police doubt that the force is really with them: They trail in assignments, promotions and respect, despite integration push. Wall Street Journal, 1.
Lambert, W. (1995, September 11). Psychological tests designed to weed out rogue cops get a 'D.' Wall Street Journal, 1, 7.