Ethical Analysis Of The Law Enforcement Code Of Ethics

Ethical Analysis of a Code of Ethics

Every profession has a standard and a threshold in which its business is operated, and organizations that have connections and interactions with the public and more importantly, any organization that serves society has a responsibility to operate ethically. The field of law enforcement does just that and holds its own standard and universal ethics known as the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics. The Christian Police Association (CPA) is an association that recognizes the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics, the Ten Commandments, as well as Police Ethics. The analysis of the CPA’s canon of ethics will allow for a clearer understanding of the CPA’s goal within their ethical approach to law enforcement and their involvement

Character and moral ethics are tested every day an officer performs his or her duty. The law enforcement code of ethics is a universal code that has been adapted by most law enforcement agencies; this code of conduct addresses numerous aspects of a peace officers duty. This code of ethics is summarized in the first initial paragraph:

As a law enforcement officer my fundamental duty is to serve mankind; to safeguard lives and property; to protect the innocent against deception, the weak against oppression or intimidation, and the peaceful against violence or disorder; and to respect the Constitutional rights of all men to liberty, equality and justice. (“Law enforcement code of ethics, “ 2016, para.

As a free nation law officials are looked to for justice but also restraint within the judicial system. This canon ascertains that officers enforce the law and understand and abide by the limitations of their authority. As Barker (2011) states in regard to the duty of police officers, “They must perform their duties and exercise their authority within the constraints of the law. All actions they take are subject to review for their legality” (p.23). The limitation of authority for which peace officers must operate at times presents ethical dilemmas; these same limitations also push officers to experiment within the limits of the law, through investigative and interrogation techniques. On whole peace officers understand their authoritative rights; however, these same rights have acted as a catalyst for other ethically questionable behavior. Officers are expected to solve cases and obtain confessions whenever possible which has required officer to resort to tactics that upon first glance serve a utilitarian purpose. Officers approach the use of questionable but legal interrogation tactics from a utilitarian approach, one in which looks at the outcome and positive effect of actions to produce the most good for the most people. This utilitarian approach to solving