Moral Dilemmas Ethics and Development Practice

Part 1 – Ethical Dilemmas and Decision-making Framework

The natural disaster emergency, in this case, simultaneously creates two significant security-related problems, both of which are part of the duty spectrum during emergency response. The law dictates that a law officer must protect and serve both citizen and their property therein at all times, including the time of disaster. Therefore, these categories; Human life and property, constitute fundamental components of the focus areas during disaster response activities(Cigler, 2017). There is an ethical issue, as the subsequent sections will show, of which of the two should take precedence at time. Personally, both are of immense importance and constitute the duty during such events. At the base of this dilemma is whether to save people who are trapped in their homes or to arrest people who are stealing food, other basic needs, and luxury items from a neighborhood mall. While people trapped in their homes must evacuate, those that are on the safe ground are stealing from an innocent investor. For those trapped in their homes are at a high risk of not just physical harm but also, in some cases, if the evacuation team delays may condemn them to death through washing up. At this point, there is still time to remove them from the danger zones and transfer them to safe zones. 

On the other hand, property at the Mall is an essential part of the community because it helps to provide necessary supplies and services to residents. Through the act of theft by the looters, it not only deprives the investors of their investment but also robs the community of essential supplies, during and after the flooding. For each of these decisions, the decision making process will incorporate different ethical values. To determine which ethical values to adopts, an individual must carefully evaluate the overall outcome of each possible decision(Harris, 2017). Normative theories, Social Contract, Humanitarianism, Virtue and related theories are very usually applicable with disasters that involve life, in its different forms. For these theories, they are mostly driven by a high regard for the victim and a humane level and source inspiration for the moral principle of an individual (Sommers-Flanagan, 2007). 

For property and other forms of damages with the obligatory framework, it follows deontological ethical dimension especially for law enforcement and disaster recovery units. For the latter, they derive inspiration from the code of ethics that binds the individual to certain of rules that guide their obligation and thus, the evaluation process of the decision in a dilemma must choose the option that best fulfills the prescribed duties (Keech et al., 2018). Each of them, as is the case in this situation are compassion for the morality dimension and empathy for the obligatory dimension. As such, the ethical values at play are compassion and empathy. Compassion is towards those that are trapped and those who lack food, which is in the submerged Mall. 

Empathy is the sympathetic sentiments towards the owner of the Mall for the losses from vandalization. In more finite terms, it also entails putting oneself in the shoes of the hungry people whose only source of food is the Mall. The whole paradigm of the dilemma in this situation is complex because, in both decisions, the outcome will result in a significant degree of damage to the one category abandoned to help the other one. However, after a careful assessment of the more dominant theories in the current situation that involves human lives at risk of harm, or even worse death, I firmly believe that the moral-ethical value supersedes the obligation of my prescribed duty as the following section will indicate. Also, I have been in the Force long enough to know the demise of the untimely evacuation process accurately. In the same tone, the impact of looters in the post-flooding period is equally harmful because the investors either choose to leave or close their shops affecting the economy of the areas significantly. The decision, I must make sure that each of the two problems receives some form of intervention, with the one with the most significant impact of the victims taking precedence. 

Overview of the Organization

As a member of the City Police Force, our primary role is to maintain law and order. Therein, our scope of responsibility extends to the prevention of all criminal acts from occurring within the city boundaries. Also, our training and equipment are mainly to carry this mandate within the city. However, as part of the Disaster Preparedness, all officers receive training on evacuation and rescue protocols; although, this is only as a support team with the Coast and other Rescue units bearing the primary responsibility. The Police, according to an executive order of the state assented to by the governor, incorporates the Police Force as a part of the Disaster Response and Support units. 

Based on the careful analysis of the situation, I must first take action that prioritizes my work and then fulfill my moral duty not just as an officer but also as a member of the community. 

PART 2- Outline of Course of Action 

In this case, I will follow a five-step course of action that incorporates a degree of both compassionate and ethical values. However, precedence will be for the compassionate values because, unlike normal times where above everything else is to stop crime, the emergency disaster situation shifts the ethical spectrum influenced by personal moral convictions at such times, the virtue ethical standards primarily motivated by my experience during such emergencies in the context of the overall impact of delayed evacuation. 

1. Immediately Radio Headquarter Reporting the Situation 

I will begin by calling for reinforcements to help me stop those who are stealing from the Mall. 

2. Request for Immediate Backup of other Patrol areas to Respond to the Criminal Activities at the Mall 

The reinforcement that will have arrived will also be engaged in rescue operations of those trapped in their homes 

3. Request immediate connection to my CO (Commanding Officer) and If Reachable; Explain the Situation and Indicate that I will head to the Disaster Danger Zones to Evacuate High-Risk Residents in these Areas even if order to the contrary. At this moment, report my resolve towards first helping the at-risk persons. 

4. Immediately Head for the Evacuation 

I will evacuate all the individuals at the danger within my patrol area in conjunction with all other first responders and volunteers within the area to the marked safe assembly points within the city. 

5. Acquire Basic supply commodities like Water and Food for the evacuate persons 

After that, I will seek ways of getting food and water to the people, either by acquiring money to buy food from the mall owner or having other rations brought by boat or helicopter to feed the people who were affected by floods. 

Part 3- Possible Constraints and Obstacles 

First, there is a high possibility that my position to prioritize the victims trapped at the danger high-risk zones will attract outright opposition from my CO or the Switch-Board team whose orders are to ensure that while other rescue teams go about their business of helping those at risk, the city police should remain vigilant in ensuring that the process happens in a very orderly manner without any undue risks to either property or the individuals being evacuated themselves. However, I will overcome this by ensuring that I make it clear that while I will depart, the reinforcement sent to the Mall must remain on-task no matter. I will also insist that if they don’t, the losses at the Mall will be very significant, mainly because of the increasing number of people headed there. The second barrier I may encounter is high traffic especially from those coming from the danger zone areas. Also, another barrier I may encounter may include impassable roads that the reinforcement team may have difficulties using. More so, we may lack facilities to take us to places with a lot of water to help us evacuate those who may be trapped. More so, some people may become rowdy when Police intervene to stop them from looting the Mall. 

The above dilemma resolution will use dialogue as the principal mechanism to find amicable solutions to the standoff. It will be useful to make these people realize that the priority at that instance is to save the lives of the people trapped before looking for food. 

PART 4- Literature Review: Ethical Theories in practice 

This section will explore the various ethical issues that emerge during emergency disaster operations in the context of an ethical dilemma experienced and the decision thereof to help evacuate the victims trapped in their homes at the Danger zone sections near the beach. More so, carefully review various ethical theories that greatly influenced my decision that deviated from the rules of the Force as is expected per the Police Code. In times of disaster, the decision making spectrum for the responder must ensure that it evaluates each action option and chooses the one that, in their view, results in the best positive outcome(Sommers-Flanagan, 2007). The ethical dilemma, therein, is whether to save the victims from their homes or arrest looters of the stores who take advantage of the disaster to deprive investors of their investments unfairly. 

The victims and the investors, both are the obligation of the patrol officer bound by the duty to serve and protect them from undue harm. In this case, the decision made prioritized the victims highly influenced by various ethical theories that include but not limited to Humanitarianism, Virtue, and Utilitarian, Social Contract, Deontological, and Moral Relativism ethical theories. Essence, the value of human life, in times of disaster takes precedence compared to property(Renne et al., 2018). Humanitarianism ethic theory calls upon everyone with the capacity to offer their assistance to specific parties do so, not as a duty but as a moral duty. For me, the devastation of the families that end up dead or suffer permanent damages to their health because of late or lack of timely evacuation cost the city a significant number of her citizens. 

The damage is irreversible, and in most cases, the city takes a lot of time to heal. Therefore, in acknowledgment of this fact and the moral responsibility articulated in this theory, I feel obliged to choose the victims over those individuals involved in the looting of the Mall damaging as it may be to the investors. An effective response to the issue demands that all stakeholders within the public service prioritize such activity that accrue the most substantial benefits to the city(Leider et al., 2017). Saving the victims serves not only the interests of the individuals themselves and their families but also the investors who depend on the survivors as their customers. Also, the investors are bound based on the social contract theory towards advancing the social welfare of the community. Thus, though they may be unhappy with my decision, they may also commend my decision, despite the losses thereof to save lives rather than protect their property. The virtue ethic theory dictates actions or rather decisions considerate of the outcome from the perspective of the values that the society holds dear(Harris, 2017). Our city is a bit conservative in the virtue sense. Despite the capitalistic nature of it, when it comes to a matter of disaster and assists those in need during a humanitarian crisis, they come together and unite towards fighting the problem together and condemn anyone who doesn’t hold the same beliefs. It is the unwritten rule that unifies all of us in hard times of uncertainties. 

Collectively the perceptual perspectives of all these theoretical ethical principles and the personal values that I hold regarding the assistance to the flooding victims as one of the biggest natural threat that haunts our city, I have an unwavering conviction that the most ethically sound decision to make is one that helps to save the lives of innocent citizens in need no the implications of the consequences that I may face thereafter. 

PART 5- Ethical Analysis and Your Dilemma Resolution 

The interplay of the compassionate and empathic moral values as the dominant guiding principles in this situation introduces a very complex scenario. As earlier mentioned, either decision, results in an adverse effect to a specific group. The victims, at risk of the associated problems of physical harm or death by drowning and the investors at risk of incurring huge losses, all from whatever point of view that you observe deserve assistance. However, at this point, it is impossible to assist one group without exposing the other to a level of harm. Therefore, the first phase of the decision is to assess the level of risk for both groups critically and choose one with the least casualties. For the victims, the worst-case scenario will be death, and the least worse scenario is physical harm with minimal injuries. For the Investors, they may incur unrecoverable losses or suffer minimal losses before the backup group arrive and puts the situation under control. The former, from a moral, ethical perspective, require immediate attention than the latter, which is from my assessment. 

Therefore, after weighing both options and considering the possible consequences, I think that the disciplinary action at the City Police department of three weeks suspension for failure to prevent crime does not come any close to the burden I will carry knowing that I could have helped individuals to save themselves from the either suffering different bodily harm or even from a painful death. 

Part 6- Implications of your decision and the consequences expected from your resolution 

The decision will result in adverse implications for investors after the disaster, and there is a likelihood of disciplinary action within the organization. The investors, if the Response Dispatch Unit delays in sending reinforcement, which is highly unlikely the investors may lose significant portions of their investment that either be unrecoverable at worst or hard to recover at best. The city Disaster Relief funds entail a grant program for investors who suffer the most considerable losses during such disasters. If it comes to the worst, the most significant burden for them will be to lose a substantial amount of their investment. For me, I may be subjected to disciplinary action of up to 1 month of unpaid suspension for Desertion of Duty at worst or a warning by the department at best if it decides to take disciplinary action. 

PART 7- Project Recommendations for actions City Police Department Leaders should take to improve ethical decision making in response to the Emergency Response Dilemma during Disasters 

The project will also recommend among the expansion of the disaster response teams during such disaster to ensure a designation of the victim response unit and another for the property protection unit to reduce the ethical dilemma dimension during future disasters. The Police force, as per the Disaster Emergency Response Order, is part of the state agencies responsible for offering both humanitarian and rescue services during Natural disaster in the city. However, the lack of an internal Response Protocol that clearly explains the procedures that an Officer on duty must take during such situations. 

The open interpretation poses a huge ethical dilemma. Therefore it is essential for the Force to formulate the Policies outlining the procedures of Officers near the Danger zones when faced with such a scenario. That way, the paradox of whether to save people who are trapped in their homes or to arrest people who are stealing food, other basic needs, and luxury items from a neighborhood mall will be minimal. Also, it is essential that organization, in acknowledgment of the role that they play in the Emergency services, Police Oversight Committee should consider creating a standby response that during emergencies re-group as the team solely committed to intervening on behalf of the Force in high-risk areas near where an officer is at the time of the disaster. 

Through this approach, it will ensure that Force and the Police therein only respond to such emergencies or a faced with such a dilemma if there are out of communication range with the Dispatch Unit when it happens for whatever reason. The paradigm of public duty, especially during a disaster, has become blurry, especially when the officer is within the high risk marked areas. Usually, the first instinct, amid all other events going on around him, is to take such action that saves the highest number of at-risk persons; therefore, such a framework will make it easier for them to make such a decision. Also, it will effectively boost the role of the Police during such a crisis, which is also beneficial to them; it also increases the resources appropriated thereof to improve its capacity to enhance their competency levels and capacity in Disaster Management. 

References 

Cigler, B. A. (2017). U.S. Floods.  State and Local Government Review ,  49 (2), 127-139.  https://doi.org/10.1177/0160323x17731890 

Disaster and Mass Casualty Triage. (2010).  AMA Journal of Ethics ,  12 (6), 466-470.  https://doi.org/10.1001/virtualmentor.2010.12.6.cprl1-1006 

Harris, V. (2017). Moral Dilemmas Ethics and Development Practice.  International Development: A Global Perspective on Theory and Practice , 119-134.  https://doi.org/10.4135/9781526429414.n8 

Keech, J. J., Smith, S. R., Peden, A. E., Hagger, M. S., & Hamilton, K. (2018). The lived experience of rescuing people who have driven into floodwater: Understanding challenges and identifying areas for providing support.  Health Promotion Journal of Australia ,  30 (2), 252-257.  https://doi.org/10.1002/hpja.181 

Leider, J. P., DeBruin, D., Reynolds, N., Koch, A., & Seaberg, J. (2017). Ethical Guidance for Disaster Response, Specifically Around Crisis Standards of Care: A Systematic Review.  American Journal of Public Health ,  107 (9), e1-e9.  https://doi.org/10.2105/ajph.2017.303882 

Renne, J. L., Wolshon, B., & Mitchell, B. (2018). Evacuation and sheltering: Modelling, management and policy to promote resilience.  International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction ,  31 , 1141-1142.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2018.04.006 

Sadiq, A., & Tyler, J. (2017). Agency Coordination and Cross-Sector Collaboration in Fragile States.  Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Natural Hazard Science .  https://doi.org/10.1093/acrefore/9780199389407.013.177 

Sommers-Flanagan, R. (2007). Ethical Considerations in Crisis and Humanitarian Interventions.  Ethics & Behavior ,  17 (2), 187-202.  https://doi.org/10.1080/10508420701378123