NCJ Number
132910
Date Published
1991
Length
183 pages
Annotation
This book defines an ethical basis for and standards by which to evaluate American police work.
Abstract
The book's introduction describes the seminars with police officers which became the basis for the ethical standards presented. The authors use a moral perspective grounded in the social contract to define the responsibilities assumed by the police when they accept the authority to enforce the law. Working from John Locke's Second Treatise of Civil Government, which provided much of the theoretical underpinnings for the U.S. Declaration of Independence and Constitution, the authors develop standards of behavior for those persons whose authority is derived from the citizenry through a hypothetical bargain. The authors conclude that governmental officials in general and police officers in particular must meet five standards of responsibility. Each standard imposes some restraint on the power officers are given. These five standards require that police provide fair access to their services; ensure that their power will not be abused; put the primacy of safety and security of citizens before the unreflective enforcement of law; acknowledge the coordination of governance with other officials in the system; and maintain an attitude of nonpartisan objectivity in their performance of duties. In the latter part of the book, these standards are applied to four ethical dilemmas that often confront officers. 49-item bibliography and a subject index