When training for any profession, there are the qualities taught to a person. These qualities enable this person to effectively carry out the different tasks involved in that particular profession .Adhering to these set of qualities is referred to as professionalism. Professionalism facilitates good relations with other people in the work place. These people include colleagues and the customers. Professionalism also ensures that an individual performs well in the work place. On the other hand, ethics refer to the moral principles that guide a person`s behavior. In order for any professional to carry out the responsibilities assigned to them well, they have to stick to certain moral principles such as honesty, and the other qualities that they are supposed to portray as the undertake a particular job. Just as in other professions, there are the principles that govern the code of ethics for police officers as they execute their duties and responsibilities. These include accountability, fairness, integrity, openness, fairness, leadership, respect, honesty, objectivity and selflessness. These principles should guide the actions of every police officer in law enforcement.
When it comes to ethics, it is the general believe that no profession should set higher standards for its workers than the other. However, when it comes to the police, the society expects their ethical standards to be higher than those of any other professionals. This is because the police are the ones supposed to enforce the law. They are supposed to ensure that everyone in the society does what is right so naturally, they are expected set a good example for the people in the society. Police officers take an oath to serve all people equally despite their race or color and to protect them at all costs. Above all, they should live good lives. Being law enforcers, everyone in the society expects them to do what is right.
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When you talk about the responsibilities of the police in relation to ethics, corruption is the main ethical issue that comes up. Over time, the police have been known to be the most corrupt professionals. Corruption involves giving or receiving bribes. Bribes can take the form of financial gain or a promise of say a promotion or even preferential treatment. Police officers have been known to receive bribes from criminals, and in turn let them get away with their crimes, instead of letting them face the law. Some even go to the extent of demanding bribes from innocent people. This is mostly done by threatening these people that they will charge them with crimes if they don’t give the bribes demanded by the police officers .Corruption is against morality. (Hickman, 2004).Though some people may argue that the fact that police officers are poorly enumerated contributes to the rampant acts of corruption in the police force, corruption goes against the ethical principles of honesty and accountability, which police officers swear to uphold before joining the force. In this respect, police officers should only use their position for law enforcement only. They should not abuse their positions as officers of the law, by for instance issuing threats based on their positions, in order for them to be granted favors. This is abuse of the power that comes with their positions and lack of integrity.
Police officers are not supposed to discriminate against anyone on the basis of either age, race, color, civil status, religion or any other quality that sets at person apart from other people. In this respect, they should practice fairness to all as they carry out their law enforcement duties. For instance, the police should not arrest an innocent person just because this person belongs to a specific race. They should treat all people equally, with respect and impartiality when carrying out their duties.
Over the years we have had many cases of police brutality, which is the representation of the outright abuse of the power granted to the police .Police officers should always maintain objectivity in their work and not use more force than a situation warrants, in order for them fulfill their duties. For instance, they should not beat up suspects when making arrests. They should respect the fundamental rights of every human being. The police should also ensure that they use the proper means of interrogation when questioning suspects. They should also not detain suspects unlawfully. Some police officers have been known to torture suspects during interrogation in order for the suspects to give them information which is unlawful .They should also not detain someone for more time than it is stipulated in the law. This is diligence. If someone is in custody, they should ensure that they are mindful of the health of this person. They should also grant a suspect the right to see a lawyer if the suspect asks for one. In case someone is being searched, a police officer of the same gender should carry out this task.
Police officers carry weapons which may be necessary in their work. However, they should not use these weapons unlawfully or in any situation that puts innocent citizens in danger. Over time, we have had issues of police brutality where innocent citizens are shot or injured by police officers, who end up not taking responsibility for these injuries and murders. Firing weapons carelessly could also lead to the injury or even death of innocent people. The police should be responsible when handling their fire arms hence avoiding the injury of citizens. Moreover, it is not their job to kill people but rather arrest them and let them face the law. Police officers should respect the laws that protect human rights like the right to life. (Crawshaw, 2009).
Police officers should always act selflessly and show bravery when protecting the public.Their duties are sensitive and the lives of people may depend on how effective they are in their duties. They should be very flexible and hence able to change from one activity to the next in a moment`s notice. They should also be always alert on call. For example in case of an emergency call, they should respond promptly in order to protect people. They should also use all the necessary resources that have been availed to them to ensure that they keep themselves up to date with their roles. For example, they can learn more on the use of computers in tracking criminals better. Doing their job well also involves not participating in matters such as politics as they should be seen as impartial. They should also not partake in acts like taking drugs such as alcohol while on duty as it may negatively affect how they discharge their duties. They should also not engage in the use narcotic drugs. In case an officer is addicted to drugs, there should be proper mechanisms to assist the officer to recovery from addiction. Every officer has the duty to avail themselves for drug tests which ensure that everyone in the police force is drug free and hence fit for work. Finally, they should have a justifiable explanation for all their actions.
Among the police, information is very important. This ranges from statements given by witnesses, to data collected about crimes or information available only to the police which enables them to do their job well like anonymous tips. Police officers should observe confidentiality and discretion where they should protect sensitive information. They should also not give sensitive information to people who are not supposed to access such information. However, they should also not withhold information that could be useful in criminal investigations. They should also be careful so as not to destroy evidence collected from crime scenes. Above all, police officers should be careful about what information they get out there, for instance on social media as it reflects on the police force as a whole.
In conclusion, every time the public expects the highest form of good conduct from the officers of the law. The morality of a police officer should be beyond reproach. This ranges from his mannerisms to his physical grooming. Police officers should always be of high moral character and not engage in behavior that portrays the police force negatively in the public eye. (McVean, 2012). This could ruin the relationship between the force and the public hence people won’t have confidence in the police. Police officers should also avoid any behavior that portrays their work mates negatively. They should also show up to work on time and dress in the appropriate uniform, unless they are to engage in special tasks like undercover missions where they dress like civilians. The leaders in the police force should also serve as good role models for their juniors. Generally, they should do the right thing in the right way, exercising a lot of respect for the public, their superiors and each other. From the information above it is clear that for police officers to carry out their duties and responsibilities in the right way, ethics have to be observed.
References
Allyson MacVean; Peter Neyroud. (2012) Police Ethics and Values. SAGE Publications.
Crawshaw. (2009). Police and Human Rights. Martinus Nijhoff.
Mathew J Hickman; Alexis Russell Piquero; Jack R Greene. (2004) Police integrity and ethics. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth/Thomson Learning.
