Confronting Unjust Authority Case Study: An Ethical Dilemma

Abstract

This paper aims to discuss the confronting unjust authority case study, the ethical issues faced by the law enforcement officers. Moreover, this study defines in detail the legal, professional and moral consequences of taking ethical action and also provides a brief description of the elements of unjust authority or power abuse.

Table of Contents

Abstract2

Introduction4

Discussion4

Summary of the Chosen Dilemma4

Ethical Dilemma in this Situation4

Consequences Related to Taking Ethical Action5

Unjust Authority or Power Abuse5

Code of Conduct6

Conclusions6

References7

Confronting Unjust Authority Case Study: An Ethical Dilemma

Introduction

The law enforcement officers, especially the police represents the government and stands the serious responsibility of maintaining the integrity and honor of all government institutions. They guard against placing themselves in a position where anyone can look forward to extraordinary consideration or in where the public can logically presume that unusual consideration is being given. (Ivkovic, 2003) Therefore, they should be rigid and firm in saying no to gratuities, gifts or favors. It is difficult to disregard the matter of gratuities in any class on police ethics. A number of articles publishing in the academic journals and publications of law enforcement argue the topic, and often civilians identify it as a continuing long-term issue among police. But still, many police officers think that there is nothing immoral with accepting gratuities. The only distinction that can be made in these ethical dilemmas is between factual gratuities, something presented to any police officer as a matter of gifts and policy, something offered to a person in return for a particular action. But nevertheless, both gifts and gratuities can turn out to be problematic concerns for officers as well as agencies. (White, 2002)

Discussion

Summary of the Chosen Dilemma

Case 1:

In this case, a newly appointed police officer on his first patrol is told by his older and experienced fellow officer that the restaurant on the corner likes to have them around, so the restaurant guy offers them free meals. The older police officer freely orders steak, potatoes, and all the trimmings. Hence the question which arises here is that what is the duty of the newly assigned police officer in this case? Should he continue to do what his fellow officers are doing or should he reject this type of favors? But what if the owner refused to take money from the officer?

Obviously in this case the acceptance of gratuities by police officers is the actual dilemma which is not unusual in our society. Police officers are frequently tackled with the ethical dilemma of accepting the gratuities or not. This dilemma is a feature of police maturity and paradigms of the choices that police officers are enforced to make. (Singer, 2002) Police officers have prudence when they have to deal with choices like whether or not to accuse an individual, how to cope with certain situations, or to accept a gratuity or not.

Ethical Dilemma in this Situation

Here, the ethical dilemma or issue is the acceptance of gratuities by the police officers. Since the acceptance of even a small benefit or ...