Glenda Sacaza Essay

Ethics is defined as rules of behavior based on ideas about what is morally good and bad by the Merriam Webster Dictionary. D. H Lawrence once said, “Ethics and equity and the principles of justice do not change with the calendar.” (Worth, 33). This quote means that one’s ethical values remain the same, no matter what changes around them. When asked to interview someone in the Criminal Justice field, a Police officer came to mind. Within law enforcement ethics plays a major role. Law enforcement officer are expected to be ethical. Meaning they should be responsible, impartial, trustworthy, honest, and honorable. I had the opportunity to interview Mrs. Glenda Sacaza. As a family friends, she was person that I enjoyed learn about law enforcement

She started her career with the NYPD as police officer in 2002 and after twelve she decided to retire. Mrs. Sacaza worked for NYPD, which is the largest municipal police force in the United Sates. Today, in order to become a police officer, one must undergo a background check. When asked if she went through the investigation process she said “I did have to undergo a background check, but it wasn’t as extensive as it is in today’s society.” She also said she had an upper hand because she had a lot of family, and friends that were higher up in the NYPD. Before becoming an officer of the law, training is a required. Mrs. Sacaza did six months of intense training at the police academy. She started with as patrol officer, her duty was to walk around the local neighborhoods. She was then promoted to homicide detective, which is the level she retired at. As a homicide detective her job responsibilities required her manage crime scenes, determine motives, and question witnesses. When asked about the identification bureau, her response was simply “Never worked in it.” When asked about the property division he said “I was assigned there at the end of my career after I injured during pursuit of a suspect. I worked in the property division for the last two years of my career.

When asked if she knew her code of ethics she laughed and said “official ones? No! But I do know the general codes, which are integrity, remaining truthful, and do not abuse your power”. Lastly, with much passion she said “NEVER EVER taking bribes.” Even though she did not know her code of ethics right of the bat, I could tell she still valued her job. Based on the codes listed above, I could tell that she still did her job in an ethical manner. What made me also realize that she was a person that valued her job was her sating that she never took free meals. She said whenever she was in uniform and went to grab lunch, restaurants would always offer her free meals. Despite it being a sweet offer, she said she never took free because she didn’t feel she deserved a free meal for simply doing her job. If Mail personals, banker, teachers, and any other person did not receive meals, why should she? Even though she never disregarded her code of ethics she said she witnessed other officers doing so; using their power to not get free meal, but anything they could get for