NCJ Number
145991
Journal
Police Studies Volume: 16 Issue: 3 Dated: (Fall 1993) Pages: 77-83
Date Published
1993
Length
7 pages
Annotation
The author supports the inclusion of ethical education in police training.
Abstract
Police officers and recruits in Queensland, Australia, are encouraged to study ethics, but some question the validity or necessity of doing so, and some wonder why they should be the ones to do so. The reason is not that police are basically unethical--just as people who study disease and illness are not themselves unwell--but that police are in a position to promote goodness and confront evil. Ethical education, then, can enhance effectiveness. Ethics, in fact, is intrinsic to police work. Police are entrusted with special powers and responsibilities, and should not exceed or abuse them. Police are constantly thrown into situations in which they may use unethical means to achieve good ends. Having a theoretical base to draw upon, police can perform with greater autonomy and a higher sense of judgment than if merely "trained." Also, they can appreciate the complexity and perplexity of everyday events, and can interpret situations more clearly. 34 references