Calculating Ethics

• NCJ Number: 191794
• Journal: Law and Order Volume: 49 Issue: 8 Dated: August 2001 Pages: 87-90
• Author(s): Don Green
• Date Published: August 2001
• Length: 4 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Instructional Material
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This article discusses personality factors related to police officer ethical behavior, temptations and desires related to unethical behavior, and the influence of administrative decisions on ethical behavior.

Abstract

Regarding expectations for ethical behavior, there are four types of personalities. The first is a person of good character who has so internalized ethical values and behavior patterns that it is unlikely he or she will succumb to opportunities for misconduct. The second type of person may be tempted to engage in unethical behavior, but has the knowledge to recognize that such behavior is wrong and has the self-control to conform to what he or she knows to be right. The third type of person has little control over his or her desires and given a tempting situation is not likely to have the self-control to resist it. The fourth type of person has a criminal or evil character that responds only to his or her self-serving needs and desires, with little concern about others or the community at large. Usually, the criminal or evil persons will be not be hired by a police agency due to screening practices. Most often police agencies will be concerned about preventing unethical practices by uncontrolled or self-controlled officers, since there may be occasions when they may succumb to temptation. This article provides an analysis of the factors that will determine whether or not officers with such personality types will succumb to temptation, such as the nature of the temptation as it interacts with the individual officer's needs and desires, as well as the perceived consequences of giving in to the temptation. It is the responsibility of police agencies to set standards of ethical behavior, instruct officers in how the standards apply in various circumstances and temptations likely to be encountered in the field, and identify the consequences likely to result from various unethical behaviors.