Ideal Code Of Ethics

2 Pages 542 Words

Abstract

The focus of this paper will be to identify what an ideal code of ethics is. A code of ethics is truly honored by the officer(s) that is required to follow it. I view the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics as being the ideal code of ethics for a police officer.

I view the ideal code of ethics as a means to serve as an oath to the particular position that one has been hired to fulfill. In his book Police Ethics, David Hanson duplicated The Law Enforcement Code of Ethics. This code of ethics I find is a very effective in serving the purpose of the oath for a young or new police officer that the International Association of chiefs of Police would apply.
The code of ethics can be a guideline and I must admit that I am not familiar with the hiring and or oaths required for police. However, I see that each employer has a code of conduct in place. The employee code of conduct establishes the requirements of each employee. The employee may be required to show up to work on time, follow department guidelines, policies, and procedures. The same code of conduct may refer to ethical violations. On page xvii of the Police Ethics, in the second paragraph of the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics, “I will be exemplary in obeying the laws of the land and the regulations of my department.” Much of every ethics statement in this refers to policy guidelines.
I looked at this particular Law Enforcement Code of Ethics and noted that it also has some reference to situations that is not covered in a particular department policy. Most departments have the code of conduct rule “any act that is deemed to be a poor representation of the department” but not many cover the understanding of the badge and to what symbol it serves. The power or the heart felt message is what is difficult to explain of an ideal code of ethics.
The ideal code of ethics should be one that addresses the requirements of the badge and what it symbo...