Whistle-Blowing and Loyalty to One's Friends (From Police Ethics, P 25-43, 1985, William C Hefferman and Timothy Stroup, eds. -- See NCJ-100351)

• NCJ Number: 100353
• Author(s): T E Wren
• Date Published: 1985
• Length: 19 pages
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/; John Jay Press
• Publication Type: Issue Overview
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: For microfiche, see NCJ-100351.

Annotation

This essay analyzes the moral dilemma for an officer who observes relatively innocuous professional misconduct by his peers which, if reported, would have severe personal consequences for the offenders.

Abstract

The moral dilemma is illustrated in the experience of New York City police office Robert Leuci as protrayed in the book and movie 'Prince of the City.' Leuci testified against his partners with a sense that he was betraying friendships and the police code of loyalty even while he was helping fight police corruption. The dilemma is examined from the ethical perspectives of utilitarianism (the ethic of good consequences) and deontology (the ethic of rights and duties). Arguments for and against informing are viewed from each of these perspectives. The influence of the police subculture in forming the ethic of personal loyalty to peers is discussed. The essay advises that such a subcultural ethic must be measured by an external ethic that objectively views the immorality and social consequences of police corruption. Recommendations for resolving the moral dilemma include departmental efforts to elevate the morality of 'whistle-blowing' while emphasizing the negative value of corruption within the police subculture.