Why Agencies Must Develop And Teach Code Of Ethics

Published: 2021-04-20
Views: 315
Author: Contributor
Published in: Sociology

Law enforcement agencies must establish and adopt a code of ethics policy to teach and promote ethical conduct.

The aim of a code of ethics is to provide a strong moral basis for the entire unit by establishing ethical conduct guidelines.

Importance of Code of Ethics

This policy also ensures organizational honesty and accountability, as well as that of officers and leaders, conduct business in the most ethical way possible.

Another significant justification for creating an ethics code is to stop lawsuits.

When immoral actions are taken within an organization, officers and/or departments can become embroiled in costly lawsuits that can last for years.

Outlining an ethical code will save a lot of money for an organization and its officers.

Individual officers are protected by a transparent and comprehensive code of ethics because knowing the limits under which they must act prevents abuse, employee misconduct, and accusations of excessive force.

Furthermore, an ethics policy protects the agency legally while regular training reflects the agency's commitment to reminding officers of the agency's ethical standards.

What Does a Code of Ethics Policy Contain?

A code of ethics policy must explicitly define the agency's standards, which must be met by all stakeholders. This include

• Guidelines for improper behavior
• Personal and private life behavior
• Personal biases and prejudices
• Responsibility and commitment.

The community has put a great deal of trust in officers and expects them to always behave in a highly ethical manner, which should be stressed in the policy.

Ethical codes provide a solid basis on which officers should build in order to make the best ethical choices possible, both on and off duty.

Inappropriate conduct is defined

Under the code, specific guidelines pointing to what is deemed improper behavior should be referenced. Acts of dishonesty or enticement, for example, must be explicitly mentioned as unacceptable.

Other examples of inappropriate behavior include failing to create or plant evidence, lying in court, in reports, or to fellow officers or subordinates, and receiving products or services for personal benefit.

On-Duty and Off-Duty Ethical Conduct

Many departments neglect an officer's duties while he or she is not on duty.

Not only does a strong code of ethics include language about an officer's ethical conduct, but it should also include language about their personal and private lives.

Officers should recognize that there is no such thing as being "off-duty" when it comes to actions – once they take the oath, they are servants of the public, whether or not they are wearing a uniform.

As a consequence, it's important that they don't behave unethically in their personal time while they're not on duty.

Inappropriate conduct reflects badly not only on the particular officer but also on the department as a whole.

This can be just as damaging to the agency's relationship with the community as when an officer is on duty.

Addressing Officer Prejudices and Biases

When working with people of different racial, cultural, or religious backgrounds, a code of ethics should include a section that discusses biases and stereotypes that can influence decision-making.

This section's aim is to make it clear that officers must not let their personal emotions, biases, or prejudices influence their decision-making.

It's also worth noting that officers will follow the law exactly as written, with no favoritism or prejudice.

Dedication and Accountability

Any ethics policy should include a section on transparency and commitment to society.

Officers must understand that they are still liable for their actions, both on and off duty.

Officers' acts are continually scrutinized by others, from car stops to interactions with people on the street.

In today's information-sharing world, maintaining a respectable public image is particularly critical.

Officers have always been scrutinized by the public, but today's technology allows people to easily capture and upload video and audio content from anywhere in the world at the touch of a button.

Creating, training, and enforcing an ethical code

There is also work to be done when an organization creates an ethics policy.

It is not sufficient to simply publish and distribute a code of ethics.

Leadership at all levels of the agency must ensure that standards are written and taught in a way that all employees can understand and obey.

A code of ethics, like any other regulation or practice, is just as effective as the people who follow it.

Supervisors and other department representatives play a critical role in whether the agency's ethics policy succeeds or fails.

Supervision and upper-level leadership must be continuously alert and aware of any form of code breach, and they must handle it in a timely and effective manner if it occurs.

Agencies must also be certain that adequate ethical training is created and enforced at all levels of the organization.

This begins at the basic training academy, where new recruits lay the groundwork and develop the discipline that will serve them well throughout their careers.

Ethics refresher training should also be included in the mandatory annual in-service training.