CJ340 Unit 6 Assignment
docx
keyboard_arrow_up
School
Purdue Global University *
*We aren’t endorsed by this school
Course
340
Subject
Law
Date
Jan 9, 2024
Type
docx
Pages
8
Uploaded by GrandFreedomLeopard43
UNIT 6 ASSIGNMENT
1
Unit 6 Assignment
CJ340: Applied Criminal Justice Ethics
Purdue University Global
UNIT 2 ASSIGNMENT
2
On November 27, 2023, I had the privilege of interviewing two federal law enforcement officers. The interview was held privately, and both officers were exceptionally forthcoming and cooperative in their responses. Their knowledge and expertise provided valuable insights into the
roles and responsibilities of federal law enforcement officers. During the interview, I posed specific questions related to their duties, and both officers provided detailed and comprehensive answers.
However, given the sensitive nature of their work, the officers requested that their real names not be used in any publications. They provided the aliases of Roger Murtaugh and Martin Riggs, which I have used to respect their privacy. Roger Murtaugh and Martin Riggs are partners
within the federal law enforcement agency. Roger Murtaugh, born and raised in the inner city of St. Louis, Missouri, has been a federal law enforcement officer for the past 16 years. Martin Riggs, on the other hand, has been a federal law enforcement officer for 12 years. During a recent discussion, I asked Roger and Martin to elaborate on the importance of ethics and character in law enforcement. Roger explained that having a solid foundation of ethics
is crucial because it helps officers recognize what is right and wrong and make decisions accordingly. He added that such ethical values serve as a guiding force for police officers facing difficult situations. On the other hand, Martin emphasized that character is equally essential as it enables police officers to enforce rules and regulations while maintaining the safety and security of citizens as their top priority. He also highlighted that solid character instills confidence in officers, which helps establish trust between citizens and law enforcement officers. Martin explained that trust is critical in law enforcement because it helps build a positive relationship between the police and the community they serve.
UNIT 2 ASSIGNMENT
3
The next question that was asked of Roger and Martin was if policing was more ethical today or was more ethical ten years ago. Martin argued that policing was more ethical ten years ago, citing the positive relationship between law enforcement officials and the general public. He
believed that officers in the past were more connected to their communities, which made people more willing to communicate with them. He said this relationship resulted in higher trust between the public and law enforcement officials.
Martin further explained that in the past, police officers were more proactive in their approach to policing, focusing more on preventative measures rather than reactive measures. They would often engage with the community, attend community events, and listen to the people's concerns. This helped build trust and ensure that law enforcement officials were held to a higher standard of accountability.
Roger, on the other hand, had a different view on the matter. He argued that it depended on where a person grew up and their experiences with law enforcement officials. He believed that law enforcement has become more ethical today due to the use of technology. According to Roger, technology has made it harder to cover up something or sweep an issue under the rug. With the advancements in technology, it is now more accessible for people to report incidents of misconduct or bring attention to problems. This has resulted in increased accountability and transparency in policing. Law enforcement officials are also better trained and equipped to handle various situations using verbal ju-jitsu, which is beneficial in mental health crises and de-
escalation tactics.
The next question was why police officers became involved in misconduct. Martin explained that police officers may become involved in misconduct when they begin to lose their sense of right and wrong due to the long-term exposure to such behavior within their department
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
- Access to all documents
- Unlimited textbook solutions
- 24/7 expert homework help
UNIT 2 ASSIGNMENT
4
or agency. The frequent occurrence of such actions may cause them to view it as a norm, and they may no longer question it. The Blue Wall of Silence further reinforces this culture of silence
and secrecy by discouraging officers from reporting their colleagues for wrongdoing, no matter how severe the situation. This unofficial code of silence creates a powerful bond among law enforcement officers that makes it difficult for them to report the misconduct of their colleagues, even if it is in the public's best interest. As a result, it can be challenging to maintain transparency
and accountability within police departments, which can lead to a breakdown of trust and confidence in law enforcement among the general public. Roger did not add additional information to the question, but his face told a different story. Roger was entirely in agreement with his partner's statement (Martin), but the way Roger's face looked gave me the impression that he was surprised that Martin talked about the Blue Wall of Silence out loud. Another question that was asked of Roger and Martin was if they feel that there is enough
training in ethics at the police academy level. Both individuals shared their opinions on the matter. Roger stated that the police academy offers comprehensive and sufficient ethics training. He believes that if the police academy had provided the same level of ethics training while he was going through it, the citizens they swore to protect and serve might not have lost trust in the law enforcement departments and agencies. Martin also supported Roger's opinion and added that the police academy provides various training programs covering all aspects of law enforcement ethics to ensure graduates are well-prepared for their careers. Moreover, they stressed that the training in ethics is an ongoing process, and officers should continue to receive training to keep their skills up to date. Their answers are surprising when asked whether law enforcement agencies are doing enough to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in their recruitment, hiring, and procedural
UNIT 2 ASSIGNMENT
5
practices. Roger stated that law enforcement agencies make rigorous efforts to promote diversity,
equity, and inclusion in their recruitment, hiring, and procedural practices. These measures range from implementing bias training programs to actively reaching out to underrepresented communities to increase diversity in their ranks. However, law enforcement needs help creating a
more equitable and just system despite these efforts. One of the biggest hurdles is the media's tendency to focus only on harmful incidents involving law enforcement officers, often resulting in a skewed portrayal of the entire profession. This sensationalist approach to reporting damages the public's trust in law enforcement and makes it harder for officers to recover from past mistakes and move forward. Despite these challenges, law enforcement remains committed to upholding the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion. It will continue to work towards creating a more just and equitable system for all. Martin added to Roger's statement by stating it was a hypothetical question. How is law enforcement going to recruit and promote if children nowadays are learning at a young age to hate and not trust law enforcement officers? Another question that was asked of both Roger and Martin was if they thought that ethics training should be offered as an ongoing process for law enforcement officers. Without hesitation, Roger stated that there should be an ongoing process of ethics training, which should be mandatory regardless of the law enforcement officers' rank. Martin agreed with Roger, but he also added that individuals in certain positions should receive more ethics training than just the mandatory slides because of the aspects of their jobs. For example, high-ranking individuals should receive classes as far and as petty as gift giving. Many individuals need to learn from the federal government that a person may accept unsolicited gifts that do not exceed $20 per occasion, up to $50 aggregated from a single source in any calendar year. You may not accept cash or checks made out to you under any circumstance. Gift cards valued at $20 or less for
UNIT 2 ASSIGNMENT
6
specific vendors/restaurants are permissible (U.S. Department of the Interior, 2023). Little things
like gift-giving have gotten individuals in high-ranking positions in trouble because of their lack of ethical behavior. The final question asked Roger and Martin if education/training in ethics would reduce police corruption. Martin responded that introducing more education and training in ethics for law enforcement officers could lead to a reduction in police corruption. He stated that law enforcement officers could become more aware of their responsibilities and obligations by providing more knowledge on ethical conduct and emphasizing the importance of moral values. This could lead to a decrease in misconduct and corruption. Roger, on the other hand, had a different perspective. He argued that while education and training in ethics could be beneficial, the human factor can only partially be eliminated. No amount of education or training could completely eradicate the possibility of human error and misconduct. Roger believed that reducing police corruption required a more comprehensive approach that addressed the root causes of corruption, such as inadequate oversight, poor leadership, and a lack of accountability.
In conclusion, after a thorough analysis, it can be concluded that both Roger Murtaugh and Martin Riggs, federal law enforcement officers, shared a similar perspective regarding the ethical standards of the criminal justice system. Both officers, whose names are withheld for privacy reasons, had a deep sense of responsibility toward upholding the principles of justice and
fairness in their line of duty. They were aware of the challenges and complexities of the job and understood that the actions of a few could tarnish the reputation of the entire law enforcement community. Despite this, they remained committed to serving and protecting the public. They recognized that some individuals within law enforcement do not share their values, which can put citizens' safety in danger daily.
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
- Access to all documents
- Unlimited textbook solutions
- 24/7 expert homework help
UNIT 2 ASSIGNMENT
7
Nevertheless, they continued to strive for excellence in their work, always considering the importance of maintaining public trust and confidence. Both officers were exemplary in their dedication to protecting the rights of the innocent and ensuring that the guilty were brought to justice. They were thorough in their investigations and meticulous in their attention to detail, always going above and beyond to ensure justice was served. Their shared values, commitment to ethical principles, and unwavering dedication to their duty made them practical and respected law enforcement officers. They were widely admired by their colleagues and the community they
served, and their legacy of service continues to inspire others to follow in their footsteps.
UNIT 2 ASSIGNMENT
8
References
(M. Riggs, personal communication, November 27, 2023)
Pollock, J. M. (2021). Ethical Dilemmas and Decisions in Criminal Justice (11th ed.). Cengage
Learning US. https://purdueuniversityglobal.vitalsource.com/books/9780357512951
(R. Murtaugh, personal communication, November 27, 2023)
U.S. Department of the Interior. (2023). Gifts. Gifts | U.S. Department of the Interior (doi.gov)