NCJ Number
191701
Date Published
2001
Length
254 pages
Annotation
This book examins the range of issues surrounding ethics in policing in the United Kingdom.
Abstract
The publication of this book coincided with the implementation of the Human Rights Act, one of the most significant constitutional changes since the 1688 Bill of Rights in England. The Act addresses the values of fairness, respect for human dignity and inclusiveness to which the police service aspires. It emphasizes the proper balance between the citizen and the State, which goes to the heart of policing. The issues raised in this book provide a framework for discussing ethics in policing and linking it to the developing agenda on human rights. In Part 1 of the book, Chapter 1 concentrated on setting the scene for the debate, and providing an analysis of the previous writing on ethics, human rights and policing. The chapter also discusses the main elements in the crisis and transition to ethical policing. Chapter 2 looks at the purposes of policing: the relationship between policing, government and society; the formal mission of policing; the present mission of policing; and the future purposes of policing. Chapter 3 examines the ethics and principles that can assist with some of the choices that face police leaders. Chapter 4 provides an overview of human rights theory and practice. The second part of the book examines policing ethics: personal ethics, best value, performance ethics, and organizational ethics. The third part of the book discusses human resource solutions, in particular, recruitment, training, and the development of a “learning organization” in policing. The chapters in this section also review decision making, codes and control systems, the case of an ethical code and the links with decision making; and how police might use policy audit to develop ethical compliance and build a virtuous cycle of learning and good practice. Figures, bibliography, and index