Police officers have a difficult job that requires making ethical decisions while facing stressors such as low pay, the environment, and individual beliefs. This stress can sometimes lead to unethical behavior. For police to be effective in preventing crime and gaining community trust, they must uphold the Police Officer's Code of Ethics by serving the public courteously and appropriately, without favoritism or unnecessary force. The community also must recognize that police want to help but need community support to make the environment safe for all. Open communication and meetings between police and community are important for reducing crime through their cooperative efforts.

1. Police, ethics, and crime By: Courtney L. Mickens

2. Police Police are people empowered to enforce the law, protect property and reduce civil disorder. They strive to help their community but often come to a crossroad when they are met with issues such as his or her environment, citizens, home life, low pay, and also individual beliefs, which affects, “his or her attitudes, beliefs, and actions.” The above are a few that cause them stress. This stress is what lead police to make unethical decisions or deviance, such as: accepting gratuities; brutality; sex on duty; sleeping while on duty; and misusing confidential information. 2

3. Police (cont.) Police have to take into account that the community is counting on them to be there for them and come to their aide when needed and not turn and look the other way when trouble comes. And the community has to realize that the police want to be there to them but they need their help also to help make the environment safe for them all. That is when a person’s ethical decisions whether good or bad come into play and it shows just how important a person’s good choice or bad choice can make the biggest difference. 3

4. ethics Ethics is the study of morality, that is the study and analysis of what constitutes good conduct (i.e. morals). Good conduct is a choice, and a person has the right to morally do what’s right no matter whether someone is looking or not. Doing what’s right whether someone is looking or not is what shows a person’s character, and ethics are fundamental to character because they specify the guiding principles on which character is built. Having good work ethics and good ethical values are what help police officers be successful at doing their jobs and what also help them to deter crime safely within the community. 4

5. Ethics (cont.) The Law Enforcement Code of Ethics which was published by the International Associate of Chiefs of Police, is seen as a vigorous reminder of the many enemies that they fight from day to day that are skilled in every type of deception, dishonesty, contrived ignorance, and fraud. 5

6. Code of Ethics (cont.) The reminder of this order is the Police Officer Code of Ethics which reads: As a Law Enforcement Officer, my fundamental duty is to serve mankind; to safeguard lives and property; to protect the innocent against deception, the weak against oppression or intimidation, and the peaceful against violence or disorder; and to respect the Constitutional rights of all men to liberty, equality and justice. I will keep my private life unsullied as an example to all; maintain courageous calm in the face of danger, scorn, or ridicule; develop self-restraint; and be constantly mindful of the welfare or others. Honest in thought and deed in both my personal and official life, I will be exemplary in obeying the laws of the land and the regulations of my department. 6

7. Code of ethics (cont.) Whatever I see or hear of a confidential nature or that is confided to me in my official capacity will be kept ever secret unless revelation is necessary in the performance of my duty. I will never act officiously or permit personal feelings, prejudices, animosities or friendships to influence my decisions. With no compromise for crime and with relentless prosecution of criminals, I will enforce the law courteously and appropriately without fear or favor, malice or ill will, never employing unnecessary force or violence and never accepting gratuities. I recognize the badge of my office as a symbol of public faith, and I accept it as a public trust to be held as long as I am true to the ethics of the police service. I will constantly strive to achieve these objectives and ideals, dedicating myself before God to my chosen profession…law enforcement. -This code is what sets the standards of morality and good work ethics for a good police officer. 7

8. crime Crime is the breach of rules or laws for which some governing authority (via mechanisms such as legal systems) can ultimately prescribe a conviction. Crime is often inevitable but fighting or preventing it can often be the biggest challenge. 8

9. Crime prevention Reducing crime or even crime prevention can be difficult for police officers or even the community, unless they both work together. Trust may be one of the most important factors in the community helping the police fight the war on crime. In order for a police officer to gain the trust of the community and its citizens they have to communicate regularly with them. Being a police officer means you have to be in the public eye and you have to be on your best behavior. So making good ethical decisions is the best way to go when it comes to dealing with the community and earning respect. 9

10. Crime prevention (cont.) An officer must wear different hats to meet the demands of the profession. And in the community that hat must not become tarnished. As a officer you must become a friend to the community and citizens. Officers should attend and hold meetings with the community regarding reducing crime and what you both can do to help. An officer should always uphold the Police Officers Code of Ethics, be one with the people, always keep you home life at home, and when something dramatic or traumatic happens you should always seek counseling. An officer should seek counseling to help deter any negative or unethical decisions that the issue has brought about. 10

11. Crime prevention (cont.) However, the community and citizens must realize that the police are here to help them and the better reaction that they give the police the better the police will perform on their behalf. 11