Ethics refers to a system of moral principles. They usually influence the way people lead their lives as well as how they make their decisions. Ethics is also known as a moral philosophy. In many situations, it is usually concerned with what is right for society and what is right to an individual. The paper focuses the current ethical theories that lie within the criminal justice field. It also explains in detail the meaning of the term slippery slope and how it is related to gratuities. More so, by giving examples, it explains some of the theories that regard to public corruption.
Describe Current Theories Related To Ethics within the Field Of Criminal Justice
The current theories that are related to ethics and lie within criminal justice are virtue ethics, hedonism, utilitarianism, and divine command theory (Banks, 2015). How utilitarianism is measured is dependent on how helpful action is. The utilitarianism theory asserts that if an action creates happiness and pleasure to all people, then it usually determine the correct part of an action. In a matter related to criminal justice, value ethics servers a significant role. All decisions that lie within the law are perceived on the action itself despite the consequences. In other words, if it happens that an action lies within the code, then the act is considered to fit within ramifications since it is perceived as moral.
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In criminal justice, divine command theory suggests that the morality of individuals is based on God's commands. In other words, a morally upright action is the one that God requires from somebody. The theory claims that an act cannot be considered right or wrong merely because God either denies us or commands us to do it. In connection to that, the only way we can refer an action as being wrong is when someone commits an act that is against the desires of God.
Hedonism theory in criminal justices argues that nature places human beings in either pain or pleasures as the key sovereign masters. Therefore, it is upon humankind to decide what to do. In most cases, both pain and pleasure motivate the actions of a person. Individuals act in a way that they seek to avoid what may be unsuitable to them. Based on the law, decisions are reached by putting into place unpleasantness which earlier on had been caused on other. In general, members of the law make their decisions with a focus on eliminating pain by establishing happiness to innocent people.
Explain In Detail the "Slippery Slope" And Its Relationship to Gratuities, Using Examples
"Slippery slope" refers to an action that may seem to lead to a consequence that is unintended. It may also mean that a person is standing on a thin edge of given line between what is right and wrong. In this context, a "slippery slope" is applied as a way of accepting gratuities. It also implies an act of police officers taking harmless gifts which may, later on, raise a question of ethics (Delattre, 2017). The relationship between the slippery slope and gratuities is prevalent in many situations. People may decide to give police officers gifts out of their gratitude feeling that police officer has helped them in one way or another. For example, a celebrity may offer free meals to a police officer so that they can cover their illegal activities. Another example is when a police officer turns a blind eye to a person selling illicit drugs such as cocaine and heroin after receiving gifts from such cartels.
Explain Each of the Following Theories Regarding Public Corruption, Provide an Example for Each
Society-at-Large Hypothesis asserts that every community has an opportunity of fighting corruption. Therefore, they are responsible for every corrupt action they engage themselves with police officers. For example, in Chicago, the community members offered small amounts of money to the police department as a way of bribing them for protection on illegal activities (Delattre, 2017). Another example is where truck drivers clip money to their driving licenses so that traffic police officer can easily pocket the cash.
Structural or Affiliation Hypothesis supports the idea that the behaviors of their superiors guide officers. Based on corruption perspectives, the actions of superiors and veterans greatly influence the junior officers to participate in corrupt activities. For example, consider a case where a rookie comes from a board and are kept at a similar place with a veteran for training and observing purposes (Delattre, 2017). In the process, they are likely to learn the hidden behaviors of the veteran who is training them. In case the veteran is corrupt and supports unlawful practices, the rookie will also become corrupt. It continues to be a cycle where one day, the same rookie will become a veteran. The upcoming rookies will acquire unethical behaviors, and hence corruption will not come to an end.
Rotten Apple Hypothesis argues that corruption among the police is a product of acquiring people into a field of criminal justice that already is full of deemed corruptive behaviors. For example, some weak people always give in to various temptations such as bribery (Delattre, 2017). Also, there some scenarios where deviant people work in better areas that grant them an opportunity of being corrupt.
Conclusion
By examining the ethical theories that lie within the criminal justice field, it is true that civilization will never defend itself. In other words, people must stand for civilization. Police officers and other stakeholders who are on front line are important vessels of establishing a civilized life although they have limits on the things they can do. However, such restrictions generally come from the society itself. As a result, nowadays it is quite challenging to fight with them unless police officers and members of society use the rules of ethics which at times are dependent on factors that lead to corruption.
References
Banks, C. (2015). Criminal justice ethics: Theory and practice. Sage Publications.
Delattre, E. J. (2017). Public corruption for profit. Character and Cops Ethics in Policing. (6th Ed,). Lanham: AEI Press.
