Ethics and Professional Code of Conduct free essay sample

Ethics and Professional Code of Conduct: Ethics and Professional Code of Conduct Law enforcement officers are the models of society. Everyone looks up to them for guidance on how to maintain the law. The officers are in a unique position in society; whether on or off duty. The actions of the officers should be above reproach from society. A police chief is the official representative of the government to society. To uphold peace in society, he requires a strong code of ethics and integrity (Ponton amp; Duba, 2011). This will display fairness in the implementation of law in the society. The officers are not to discredit their departments in any way whatsoever. Their seniors and the society at large expect exemplary conduct of the officers. To maintain such high standards, ethics and integrity are required. The agencies are tasked with defending the Constitution. Their agents, law enforcement officers, vow to be honest and law abiding citizens. We will write a custom essay sample on Ethics and Professional Code of Conduct or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Ethics and integrity form the core of law enforcement Oath to Office (Ponton amp; Duba, 2011). Law and order promote equality in society. Law enforcement officers are tasked with promoting equality. Any dent in their conduct threatens the equality they vow to promote (Iykovic amp; Shelley, 2008). Corruption, misconduct and unnecessary violence are some of the actions that discredit their agencies. The results achieved by these three principles are similar. Enacting the three principles in the law enforcement sector leads to the firm and decent enforcement of laws. However, these three principles are different in the form of delivery and implementation. Ethics refers to the process of philosophically reflecting of one’s moral beliefs and practices. All law enforcement officers have their own version of right and wrong despite the law’s interpretation. In the field, the officers are faced with situations that need delicate handling (Mohr, 2010). They are mandated to maintain society at a balance and their application of ethics in their work maintains this balance. Morals, on the other hand, are the beliefs and the conduct of the officers in the field: their actions while enforcing the law. Good morals include equal treatment of people, reducing crime, among other benevolent gestures toward their community (Iykovic amp; Shelley, 2008). Entertaining bribes, criminals and their syndicates are examples of wrong morals. State and country law gives purpose to the law enforcement officers. As their title suggests, they make sure that citizens uphold the laws of the land. Nevertheless, the officers should have the correct interpretation of the law. Most decisions made by humans are based on their morals; and the law enforcement officers are no different (Iykovic amp; Shelley, 2008). The use of morals in decision making is, however, narrow minded due to its subjective nature. Humans are groomed in different home environments and this leads to different morals. On the other hand, decisions based on ethics are objective and help the society in the long run. Maintaining ethical standards in their jurisdictions allow law enforcement officers to promote good conduct in their citizens. Law enforcement officers are presented with all forms of misconduct from criminals (Mohr, 2010). Morals would dictate that the criminals face harsh and inhumane punishment. Ethics, however, offers everyone a chance of redemption at correctional facilities. The capture of criminals is a grey area to most officers. As a member of society, the criminal should not be manhandled. The law enforcement officers should uphold individual’s rights. Ethics ensures fairness in the treatment of criminals in order to preserve life. Ethics promotes a healthy and natural society compared to one based on the black and white analysis of morals. References Ivkovic, S. K. , amp;  Shelley, T. O. (2008). Policing and Society: An International Journal of Research and Policy, Vol 18(4) n. p. Mohr, W. K. (2010). Restraints and the code of ethics: An uneasy fit. Archives of Psychiatric Nursing, Vol 24(1): 3-14. Ponton, R. F. , amp; Duba, J. D. (2011) . The  ACA Code of Ethics: Articulating Counselings Professional Covenant. Journal of Counseling and Development, Vol 87 (1): 117-121.