EFFECTING FUTURE ETHICAL CONDUCT IN MID-SIZED LAW ENFORCEMENT ORGANIZATIONS: A PROACTIVE APPROACH TO AN AGELESS DILEMMA

• NCJ Number: 142798
• Author(s): W M Blaska
• Date Published: 1993
• Length: 90 pages
• Corporate Author: California Cmssn on Peace Officer Standards and Training
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/; NCJRS Photocopy Services; POST Media Distribution Ctr
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study of ethics in law enforcement organizations focused on the dynamic nature of ethical standards in mid- sized local agencies and how societal forces and the community will affect those standards in the future.

Abstract

This futures study was based on a literature review, nominal group exercises, cross impacts analysis, and future scenarios based on exploratory, normative, and hypothetical modes. The results showed that social forces including values and value systems, demographics, alternative lifestyles, and violent crime will affect law officers' perceptions of and future standards of behavior in their work. Other catalysts for change will include a changing work ethic, the diverse nature of the future labor pool, and changing community expectations. One program that can be used to effect behavior change in an agency is a strategic plan that offers both a macro-mission statement which establishes ideals and directions and a micro-mission statement which is issue- specific to the objective. The plan outlines components of a transition management which include a commitment plan, management structure, and implementation technologies.