Why are ethics and character so important in the field of law enforcement?

Question

Serious responses only, please. This is for a grade.

Answer 1

It should be obvious to you why ethics and character are important, but I will attempt to provide an answer anyways. First, a law enforcement officer with little or no ethics would have no problem planting evidence, beating a suspect, or engaging in criminal activity. Without ethics, law enforcement officers would be untrustable.

Character is equally important for many of the same reasons. Without character, a law enforcement official would have no reason to act honorably in their duties.

Answer 2

It is important because we as law enforcement officials are supposed to be role models for everyone else. If you have police and other law enforcement officials breaking the law, how can they enforce the law for everyone else, it is hipocracy. I work for a prison and we are held to a higher standard than the inmates because we are supposed to be showing them, through our actions, what it is like to live in society, by that I mean follow the laws, go to work, have car insurance, have morals and ethics, etc.

If you were a police officer and had to arrest someone for using drugs and yet you were using drugs on your time off, it would so wrong because why is it okay for you but not for someone else, when it is against the law for everyone.

Answer 3

To put it simply, a person is a position of law enforcement hold a whole lot of power. Power in the hands of an unethical person, or one with poor character is very dangerous. Character and ethics help the person use the power he's been given for good purposes, rather than to suit his own needs.

Answer 4

Because in this field, a person is dealing with a lot of potential for corruption. For instance, say you are an officer and you bust someone who has a lot of drugs on them. A. You can be ethical and be of good character and turn the drugs in when the guy is arrested or B. You can take the drugs, resale, and make a profit yourself.

Or say, you are an officer and you are arresting someone who is being very mouthy and pissing you off. A. You can be ethical and of good character by ignoring him, placing cuffs on him, and putting him in the car or B. You can beat the $%^$ out of him.

When a person is "policing" society, obviously, they should be ethical and be of good character. Too bad that is becoming rare.

Answer 5

you cant reasonably be expected by the public to enforce laws that you wont live by yourself....as long as humans are asked to be law enforcement officers,you will have bad apples...but look at some of the cities that had major corruption in their PD ranks..New Orleans is a big one....NOBODY could look at a member of the NOPD without thinking"theres a dirty one"....he was prejudged and people just didnt want to obey him.....you have to be above reproach before you can take someones elses liberty away on your say so(swearing out an affadavit) email me if you want a more detailed reponse