Applying The Five-Step Ethical Dilemma Analysis To Officer C

Applying the Five-Step Ethical Dilemma Analysis to Officer Conduct in a Police Scene

Rob Banks graduated from the police academy and is now a rookie officer who is starting his six months of training with Field Training Officer, Justin Case. Officer Case is supervising Officer Banks during the 4 p.m. to midnight shift. At 11:00 p.m., Officer Banks and Officer Case are dispatched to a burglary in progress at the University City Ball Park concession stand. Jane Chatman was walking her dog near the ballpark when she heard a loud crash near the concession stand. Chatman walked toward the concession stand to investigate the noise.

As Chatman neared the concession stand, she saw three teenage boys ransacking the place. Chatman quietly walked away from the concession stand and called the police department to report the burglary. When Officer Banks and Officer Case arrive at the ballpark, the perpetrators had already fled. Officer Banks said, “The concession stand is a mess it appears the perpetrators have stolen numerous items, where do we start?” Officer Case replied, “Officer Banks, first, I want you to contact the police dispatcher and have them get in touch with the director of the ballpark and ask the director to respond to the concession stand. We need the director to tell us what is missing and the value of the items for our report.” Chatman saw the officers arrive at the ballpark and walked over to the concession stand and said, “Hi, my name is Jane Chatman and I am the one who called the police department to report the burglary.” Officer Case thanked Chatman for reporting the crime, and told Officer Banks, “Go ahead and get Chatman’s information and see if she will write a statement as to what she saw. Remember to ask her to give you a description of the juveniles she saw.” While Officer Banks was writing down Chatman's information for the police report, he saw Officer Case picked up a piece of double-bubble gum off the counter in the concession stand. Officer Case then removed the gum from the wrapper, tossed the wrapper on the floor, put the gum in his mouth, and walked over to meet the director of the ballpark who just arrived at the scene. Chatman looks at Officer Case and then back at Officer Banks and shakes her head back and forth, indicating her disappointment in what just occurred. After getting all the information from Chatman and the director, Officer Banks and Officer Case return to the police station to complete their police report. Officer Case continued to chew the bubble gum and blew bubbles with the gum while typing his report.

Paper For Above instruction

The scenario involving Officer Case’s conduct during the burglary investigation presents an ethical dilemma that warrants careful analysis through the five-step process to determine the appropriate course of action for Officer Banks. The five-step ethical analysis includes: (1) identifying the ethical issues, (2) gathering relevant information, (3) evaluating alternative actions, (4) making a decision, and (5) implementing the decision. Applying this process helps ensure that ethical standards are upheld and that police conduct aligns with integrity, professionalism, and legal standards.

Firstly, the ethical issues in this scenario primarily concern Officer Case’s unprofessional behavior and violation of police protocols. By picking up and chewing the gum found at the scene without proper evidence handling procedures, Officer Case demonstrates a disregard for evidence integrity and chain of custody principles. Such actions can compromise the credibility of the investigation and may even jeopardize the legal admissibility of evidence. Furthermore, Officer Case’s behavior—blowing bubbles while working—reflects a lack of seriousness and respect for the legal process, potentially eroding public trust. Ethically, officers are expected to maintain professionalism, avoid misconduct, and uphold principles of honesty and integrity. The ethical dilemma centers on balancing loyalty to colleagues with responsibility to uphold ethical standards.

Second, gathering relevant information involves understanding the context of Officer Case’s actions and the broader principles governing law enforcement conduct. This includes reviewing departmental policies on evidence handling, professional behavior, and ethical standards (Reith, 2018). It also involves considering the impact of Officer Case’s misconduct on public perception and the integrity of the investigation. Importantly, Officer Banks must assess whether Officer Case’s behavior was an isolated lapse or indicative of a pattern of misconduct. The information collected clarifies the severity of the misconduct and informs the decision-making process.

Third, evaluating alternative actions requires considering options for addressing Officer Case’s misconduct. The first option is for Officer Banks to confront Officer Case directly and remind him of proper procedures and ethical expectations. Alternatively, Officer Banks could escalate the issue to a supervisor or departmental chain of command, emphasizing the importance of professionalism and evidence integrity. Ignoring the misconduct is unethical and detrimental to departmental standards, while reporting it aligns with law enforcement’s obligation to uphold ethical conduct (Borum et al., 2020). A balanced approach involves addressing the misconduct promptly, reinforcing departmental policies, and fostering a culture of accountability.

Ultimately, making a decision involves prioritizing ethical principles such as honesty, integrity, accountability, and professionalism. Officer Banks should address Officer Case’s misconduct by reporting it to the appropriate authority within the department, ensuring that proper disciplinary measures are taken if warranted. This step not only addresses the specific incident but also promotes the integrity of the police force. Such actions demonstrate a commitment to ethical standards, reinforce professionalism, and serve the broader goal of maintaining public trust in law enforcement institutions.

In conclusion, the ethical analysis reveals that Officer Case’s misconduct—chewing and blowing bubbles with evidence—violates standard procedures and ethical principles. It is essential for Officer Banks to act responsibly by reporting this behavior to superiors, thus fostering a culture of accountability and integrity within the department. Upholding ethical standards in law enforcement is critical for maintaining public confidence and ensuring that justice is served with honesty and professionalism (Pollock, 2019). By applying the five-step process, Officer Banks can navigate the dilemma effectively and contribute positively to law enforcement’s ethical climate.

References

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