Police Code of Ethics Case Study

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Introduction

As law enforcers, police officials are in a position to engage in decision- making capable of impacting people’s lives, possessions and freedom, and ethics- related knowledge would ensure they decide appropriately. Policepersons are responsible for enforcing the law and familiarity with ethics would ensure they do so impartially and with integrity. In this paper, ethical code is applied to the incident of police brutality at the time of Hurricane Katrina, on 4th September, 2005. Six civilians making their way across New Orleans’ Danziger Bridge were shot at by policepersons, with two losing their lives and the rest suffering from serious injury.

Code of ethics and the case study

Policepersons playing the role of law enforcers are chiefly responsible to serve humanity through defending their lives and possessions, upholding citizens’ constitutionally guaranteed rights to freedom, fairness and equality, and ensuring innocents are defrauded, the peaceful don’t suffer aggression and chaos, and the weak don’t suffer persecution or terrorization (Westmarland, 2005). The aforementioned wrongful shooting incident was a violation of police ethics. This ethical code is extended further in their oath of office, incorporating the following promises: to safeguard, defend and uphold the nation’s Constitution; behave with sobriety, honor and honesty; follow departmental superiors; and refrain from engaging in offensive behavior.

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New Orleans policepersons must set an example for citizens. It is obligatory that they remain calm and brave when encountered with threats, condescension or mockery; always keep citizens’ welfare in mind; display honesty in action as well as thought, in their professional and personal lives; obey departmental rules and national statutes to the letter; and cultivate self- restraint (Westmarland, 2005). The aforementioned ethical principles were violated in several ways by the policemen who shot civilians post- Hurricane Katrina. Firstly, they violated the national law of not firing at weaponless civilians; further, they placed a weapon, faked witness statements, and forged reports following the shooting, depicting dishonesty and setting a bad example.

Policepersons’ ethical code necessitates recognition of their position as a representation of the public’s trust, which needs to be upheld. Moreover, policepersons need to endeavor continuously towards attaining these aims and standards, committing themselves to enforcing the law, before God (Westmarland, 2005). Firing at defenseless citizens, gravely injuring four and claiming the lives of two, as well as covering up their actions, have led to a loss of public trust and consequently, to a loss of respect….....

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