Ethical Issues In Law Enforcement

Ethics is fundamental in law enforcement and that is why it is of the upmost importance to find a qualified candidate who is ethical during the hiring process. “Sound conduct by police improves community interactions, enhances communication, and promotes shared responsibility for addressing crime and disorder” (COPS, 2017). Law enforcement is in a class of its own when it comes to being held to a higher standard than any other profession. There is an expectation placed on law enforcement personnel that they must always do the right thing at all times, especially when no one is around. Men and women of law enforcement must be cognizant of the fact that they are being watched by people that they know as well as do not know at all times (Roufa, 2017). I believe that a police officer who is of sound moral and ethical values will be the best police officer because they will always treat people with

When I worked patrol, I greatly respected the fact that I had the power to change a person’s life when I placed a subject under arrest. I never abused that power and always took it very seriously when someone was in my custody because I knew that their life was going to be forever changed because of my decision to place them under arrest. A police officer of sound ethics will ensure that they are always doing the right thing during an investigation or placing someone under arrest. I believe that the ethical considerations that are on page 463 are realistic and expected in order to be in law enforcement. Having these strict ethical standards is why law enforcement is held to a higher standard than any other profession. My department, the Tennessee Highway Patrol requires their commissioned men and women to conduct themselves in accordance with the Canons of Law Enforcement Ethics and the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics (THP, 2013). The Canons of Law Enforcement Ethics and the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics are virtually the same as the ethical