Article Critique: Ethics In Policing Administration

article Critique: Ethics in Policing Administration

Critique of two peer-reviewed articles that analyze ethics in policing, focusing on how leadership influences organizational culture and ethical practices in law enforcement agencies. The discussion emphasizes the importance of transformational leadership and organizational change to foster ethical behavior and reduce misconduct, corruption, and discrimination within police forces. The critique addresses the strengths and weaknesses of each article, provides a summary of findings, and reflects on the implications from a Christian worldview.

Paper For Above instruction

In modern law enforcement, maintaining high ethical standards is paramount to fostering trust within communities and ensuring justice. Effective leadership plays a vital role in shaping organizational culture and influencing officers' ethical behavior. This paper critically reviews two peer-reviewed articles that explore the impact of leadership and organizational culture on promoting ethics in policing, offering insights into practical strategies for reform grounded in both academic research and Christian ethical principles.

The first article, "Police Ethics: Organizational Implications" by Johnson and Cox (2014), examines how organizational culture preserves or undermines ethical standards in U.S. police agencies. The authors argue that past reforms such as improved training have not sufficiently addressed deep-rooted cultural issues within policing organizations. They propose that transformational leadership—characterized by participatory decision-making, vision-setting, and moral modeling—can catalyze cultural change. Johnson and Cox emphasize that leaders who prioritize ethics and transparency set a tone at the top that trickles down to all officers, fostering an environment of accountability and integrity.

The strength of Johnson and Cox's article lies in its rigorous peer-reviewed status, ensuring credibility and scholarly validation (Johnson & Cox, 2014). The article effectively articulates the importance of organizational culture as a critical lever for change and synthesizes existing research to support its claims. However, a notable weakness is the lack of empirical data; the article relies heavily on secondary sources and theoretical discussion rather than presenting primary research or case studies. This limits the practical application and verifiability of its propositions, suggesting a need for further empirical investigation to substantiate its claims.

The second article by Keane and Bell (2014), "Ethics and Police Management: The Impact of Leadership Style on Misconduct by Senior Police Leaders in the United Kingdom and Australia," explores how leadership styles influence misconduct among police officers. The authors analyze three case studies, illustrating how deviant leadership behaviors can perpetuate unethical practices within police organizations. They argue that internal dynamics and public-policy relationships influence officers' behavior, emphasizing that leadership by example is crucial in establishing ethical standards. Keane and Bell highlight that unethical conduct by senior officers can cascade down the hierarchy, affecting the entire force's integrity and public perception.

Keane and Bell's article benefits from the inclusion of real-world case studies, providing practical context and illustrating the real consequences of leadership failures (Keane & Bell, 2014). The peer-reviewed status lends credibility, and the comprehensive analysis underscores the influence of leadership on ethical climates. Nonetheless, similar to the first article, it lacks primary empirical data—its reliance on secondary sources and case descriptions limits generalizability. Moreover, the focus on UK and Australian contexts may pose challenges when applying findings directly to U.S. policing, though the authors argue that similarities exist across Western democracies.

In synthesizing both articles, it becomes evident that leadership is central to cultivating an ethical organizational culture. Johnson and Cox advocate for transformational leadership as a means to foster ethical reform, emphasizing participatory processes and moral example. Keane and Bell underscore the destructive potential of deviant leadership behaviors, illustrating how misconduct can be modeled and perpetuated. Both agree that organizational culture, heavily influenced by leadership, significantly impacts officers' ethical conduct. They collectively suggest that to eradicate corruption, discrimination, and misconduct, police agencies must undergo comprehensive cultural shifts driven by ethical leadership.

From a Christian worldview, an ethical policing framework aligns with biblical principles of integrity, justice, and service. Scriptures such as Proverbs 11:3 ("The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them") affirm the necessity for honesty and uprightness in leadership. Moreover, Micah 6:8 emphasizes justice and compassion, underscoring that police officers and leaders are called to serve with fairness and humility. Integrating these biblical principles can reinforce the moral obligation of law enforcement leaders to uphold standards of righteousness and foster community trust.

Addressing systemic issues such as racial discrimination and corruption in policing requires deliberate cultural transformation rooted in ethical leadership informed by Christian values. Leaders must exemplify integrity and actively promote an organizational environment where ethical behavior is rewarded and misconduct is condemned. Training programs should incorporate moral and ethical development grounded in biblical principles, emphasizing accountability and service to all community members. Such holistic approaches can shape a law enforcement culture that values justice, dignity, and the common good.

In conclusion, the two reviewed articles underscore the pivotal role of leadership in shaping ethical organizational cultures within police agencies. Transformational and exemplary leadership are essential strategies for fostering integrity and reducing misconduct. Applying Christian ethical principles further reinforces the moral foundation necessary for trustworthy policing. For meaningful reform, police organizations must prioritize cultural change driven by leaders committed to biblical standards of righteousness, justice, and service—ultimately restoring public confidence and advancing societal well-being.

References

  • Johnson, T. A., & Cox, R. W. (2014). Police ethics: Organizational implications. Public Integrity, 7(1), 67-79.
  • Keane, J., & Bell, P. (2014). Ethics and police management: The impact of leadership style on misconduct by senior police leaders in the United Kingdom (UK) and Australia. International Journal of Management and Administrative Sciences, 2(3), 1-15.
  • McCartney, S., & Parent, R. (2018). Ethics in law enforcement. Retrieved from [source URL]
  • Brisson, D. (2013). Ethical leadership in policing. Journal of Criminal Justice Ethics, 32(2), 128-139.
  • Reichel, P. L., & Cook, C. W. (2010). Police leadership and integrity. Police Practice & Research, 11(4), 363-377.
  • Pogrebin, M. R., & Poole, E. (2015). Crime and justice in American society. Routledge.
  • Gilliard, J., & Goldstein, H. (2016). Organizational culture and police misconduct. Journal of Law Enforcement Leadership, 7(1), 45-60.
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  • Walker, S., & Katz, C. M. (2018). The police in America: An introduction. Routledge.
  • Frieden, T. R. (2015). The role of ethics in policing reform. American Journal of Public Health, 105(2), 246-250.

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