Q1
There are three main stages of moral development according to Kohlberg. The first is the pre-conventional stage whereby individuals uphold morality to avoid punishment. Also, they stick to morals when there is a perceived benefit. When conducting investigations, I would use this theory to determine the benefits that the alleged persons would have in mind that lead them to perpetrate a given crime. This would help in solving puzzles of unknown criminals since a crime can be associated with the individuals who can be deemed to benefit from it. The second stage is the conventional stage whereby the conformity governs morality to social norms and the regulations that are upheld in a given context(Gibbs, 2013).As the Police chief, I would ensure that I am conversant with the rules in a given context to determine when an action amounts to an atrocity. The third stage is the post-conventional stage whereby people’s morality is guided by the social contract orientation and the universal ethics. At this stage, I would consider the tendency of individuals to question the society and its laws by juxtaposing them to international standards.
Q2
Criminals commit crimes for different reasons. My officers would use the theory to identify the various types of felons depending on their motive. The pre-conventional phase would be used to identify those who commit crimes to gain the various form of rewards. The officers would also use the conventional phase to evaluate those who go against the rules that govern a given jurisdiction do not necessarily to achieve anything of worth(Xavier, 2016).Also, the officers would use the post-conventional theory to understand the behavior of those who challenge the society by being informed on the various attributes of the international standards and ethics.
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Q3
To prevent police corruption and pleasure, I would use the first phase of Kohlberg’s theory to discourage such tendencies. The rationale for this is that it is unethical for police to extort people by soliciting funds. By going against the law, they expected to fulfill a given pleasure. Therefore, by establishing a strict punishment, it would be possible to discourage the behavior(Xavier, 2016). This would also trigger obedience to avoid punishment. Besides, I would focus on universal ethical principles. As professionals, the police are expected to operate within the confines of this level of morality. By appreciating such ethics, it would be effective to deter such form of malpractice.
Q4
The police should adhere to various prima facie duties. First, it is expected that the police should keep the pledge on the code of conduct that they agree to adhere to when beginning their services. The police should also avoid harming others through violence unless it is necessary. Using force should be a secondary option when exercising their duties. Also, the police should have a prima facie duty to beneficence. That is, it should be their duty to keep other people safe and uphold morality in their areas of operation(Xavier, 2016). Although it is their duty to maintain security, there are various instances that the police are required to harm others to uphold the security of others. However, the primary duty should be to maintain a peaceful society.
References
Gibbs, J. C. (2013). Moral development and reality: Beyond the Theories of Kohlberg, Hoffman, and Haidt .Oxford University Press.
Xavier, P. (2016). A Study on Moral Reasoning among Indian Police officers. Indian Journal of Science and Technology , 9 (29).
