2. Ethical dilemma in justice and security 2
Ethical dilemma refers to situations where officers in justice and security institutions are
faced by challenging ethical decisions to make where either decision made has adverse ethical
consequences. They are confronted by challenges in the course of their duties which require
them to answer questions as whether it is right to do wrong, on what circumstances and grounds
are their actions are justified. The institutional actors of in justice and security systems have a
certain degree of caution required in performing their duties and making decisions when faced
with ethical dilemma. An essential strategy is to consider the moral limitations of such
discretion.
An instance where security personnel are faced by challenging ethical dilemma is the use
of deception which in normally unacceptable but very common in their operations. Police
frequently use deceptive strategies in their investigations such as hidden surveillance devices,
undercover investigations or unknown police vehicles. In justice systems, where the judiciary
plays a vital function in the investigative and judgment phase, an ethical dilemma emerges were
serving as an efficient check on deceptive tactics. Fascinatingly, the situation of each case is of
great concern. Those who enforce justice in some cases allow police discretion in using of
deceptive strategy in investigating than at in judgment phase. An ethical dilemma also occurs
when judges and police officers know what is right to do but the circumstances surrounding their
decisions entice them to do the wrong thing.
In practicing justice and judgment, there emerge situations where a lesser evil have to be
chosen among the decisions made. Therefore, the institutional design in justice and security
should enforce right incentives for judges, prosecutors and security officers to ensure that in their
operations they do not overstepped the limits of their power. Ethical principles and theories
application would also help assist in solving ethical dilemma in justice and security.
3. Ethical dilemma in justice and security 3
References
John Kleinig (2008) ethics and criminal justice. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press, Vol. 18 No. 9
pp.842-844
Brinks, Daniel. 2008 Judicial response to killings in Latin. N New York: Cambridge University Press ew
York: Cambridge University Press
