NCJ Number
100351
Editor(s)
W C Heffernan,
T Stroup
Date Published
1985
Length
216 pages
Annotation
Eleven essays on police ethics address police legal limitations, police discretion, undercover operations, the use of deadly force, and personnel policies.
Abstract
One essay assesses police justifications for illegal searches and seizures, illegal stops and frisks, and selective law enforcement, and another analyzes the moral dilemma of an officer who must decide whether or not to report fellow-officer misconduct. Essays on police discretion consider whether it can be reconciled with legality and morality as well as principles for exercising discretion. Essays on undercover operations analyze ethical issues in using deceptive practices to detect crime and obtain evidence. Principles for distinguishing between ethically justified and unjustified undercover operations are presented. Another essay develops policy for police use of deadly force from arguments for and against capital punishment. Three essays review ethical issues in police political participation, affirmative action in police hiring, and police hiring and promotion of women. Chapter notes. See NCJ 100352-62 for individual essays.