Ethical Police Conduct
A police officer should be cognizant of their ethical and professional responsibilities when conducting their duties. Actions or decisions that are ethically grounded will ensure a commitment to integrity and professionalism is met.
Assignment Deliverable
Research a criminal case that recently occurred in your city or state. (Griffin, GA)
Create a Microsoft® PowerPoint® presentation (minimum of 10 slides not including title or reference slides) explaining how law enforcement adhered to the ethical standards and professional responsibilities.
Audience: Develop your assessment from a first-person perspective, as though you were a police officer involved in the case, who is preparing to present the information to the court, justifying your ethical and professional conduct.
Incorporate the following details in your presentation:
- Summarize the case. What crime(s) were committed and by whom? What were the charges against the defendant?
- Explain the role law enforcement played in the case. How were you specifically involved?
- Describe 2-3 examples of professional responsibilities or duties you exhibited in the case.
- Describe 2–3 examples of ethical behavior you exhibited while performing your law enforcement duties in the case. Support your response by citing relevant sections of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Law Enforcement Code of Ethics.
- Identify potential negative consequences or outcomes that you avoided by performing your responsibilities professionally and/or ethically.
- Justify how your conduct supported the overall endeavors of law enforcement and/or the field of criminal justice.
- If applicable, explain how the defendant’s or victim’s rights were respected as a result of your professional and/or ethical conduct.
- Describe the impact your ethical behavior has on the public’s perspective of law enforcement within your community.
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Ethical Police Conduct
Upholding Justice Through Ethics
First and foremost, ethical conduct is the backbone of effective law enforcement. It involves honesty, fairness, and respect for rights during investigations and arrests. For instance, in a recent Griffin, GA, case involving assault and illegal possession of a firearm, law enforcement adhered to ethical procedures by securing a lawful warrant and avoiding the use of excessive force. Consequently, this demonstrated a commitment to justice and due process for all involved parties.
Professional Duties in Action
Furthermore, as the responding officer, my duties included securing the scene, collecting evidence, and ensuring the suspect’s rights were read. These actions reflect professionalism, as they required discipline, accurate reporting, and unbiased interactions. By doing so, I ensured that the case remained strong for prosecution and minimized the chance of procedural errors that could jeopardize justice. As a result, this set a positive precedent for law enforcement professionalism.
Ethical Behavior on Duty
In addition, while performing my duties, I displayed ethical behavior by treating the suspect respectfully, avoiding bias, and documenting all actions transparently. According to the IACP Code of Ethics, officers must “serve the community; safeguard lives and property; protect the innocent against deception.” I followed this guideline throughout the investigation. Therefore, ethical behavior also meant respecting the rights of the accused, ensuring they had access to legal counsel promptly.
