The need for police ethics and accountability is very important in public sector. Accountability refers to an obligation of an individual or organisation to account for its activities, accept responsibility for them and to disclose the results in a transparent manner (Prenzler, 2013, p. 27). The role of police is usually summarised in terms of enforcing the law, preventing crime, maintaining order and providing emergency assistance. They are responsible of protecting people from assault, sexual assault, murder, robbery, theft, extortion, kidnapping, fraud and many other types of threats to their property and wellbeing, as well as assisting at accidents and other emergencies. They also have a duty to assist in minimising people’s fear of crime
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Prenzler (2013) claims that “Government that operate police departments and set the general direction for policing strategies need to be fairly elected and consultative, so that the policing policy framework is representative and balances community concerns wherever possible” (p. 60). The second point was police remain in the subject of law. For example, if police officer commit breaches of administrative or regulator law, they should be charged and punished when found guilty. Furthermore, if there was evidences that police have committed criminal offences they should be charged the same as any citizen. Another important aspect of the legal accountability of police is judicial examination in the courts. This operates when judges and defence lawyers examine the quality and sources of police evidence. Evidence illegally such as through an illegal search or illegal telephone intercept is usually subject to the exclusionary rule as a deterrent to illegal conduct. The courts should also be alert for possible fabrications of evidence false evidence and the suppression of exculpatory evidence. Finally, a free Press is essential to police accountability. The news value of a corruption story will attract journalists interest. The wide reach of the press for example, through print, television and internet means that cases of police misconduct can be brought to …show more content…
System of police integrity management can be modeled in terms of minimal and advances strategies. The following briefly outlines the good integrity management of minimal strategies. The first minimal strategies were internal chain and command, a system through which police organisations define lines of authority so that responsibility can be assigned at different levels and officers ordered by a commanding officer to comply with law and regulations (Prenzler, 2013, p. 62). The second minimal strategies were complaints investigation and discipline. Policing attracts large number of complaints that flow in daily to police departments however, these are generally only the tip of the iceberg. Therefore, proper complaints investigation and discipline is essential to ensure public confidence in police and ensure justice in police operations (Prenzler, 2013, p. 63). Testing of applicants is another standard mechanism for attempting to prevent misconduct. These screen mechanisms include panel interviews, where questions about personal ethics and ethical scenarios can be presented, referee reports, drug test, and even home visits and financial reviews (Prenzler,
Prenzler (2013) claims that “Government that operate police departments and set the general direction for policing strategies need to be fairly elected and consultative, so that the policing policy framework is representative and balances community concerns wherever possible” (p. 60). The second point was police remain in the subject of law. For example, if police officer commit breaches of administrative or regulator law, they should be charged and punished when found guilty. Furthermore, if there was evidences that police have committed criminal offences they should be charged the same as any citizen. Another important aspect of the legal accountability of police is judicial examination in the courts. This operates when judges and defence lawyers examine the quality and sources of police evidence. Evidence illegally such as through an illegal search or illegal telephone intercept is usually subject to the exclusionary rule as a deterrent to illegal conduct. The courts should also be alert for possible fabrications of evidence false evidence and the suppression of exculpatory evidence. Finally, a free Press is essential to police accountability. The news value of a corruption story will attract journalists interest. The wide reach of the press for example, through print, television and internet means that cases of police misconduct can be brought to …show more content…
System of police integrity management can be modeled in terms of minimal and advances strategies. The following briefly outlines the good integrity management of minimal strategies. The first minimal strategies were internal chain and command, a system through which police organisations define lines of authority so that responsibility can be assigned at different levels and officers ordered by a commanding officer to comply with law and regulations (Prenzler, 2013, p. 62). The second minimal strategies were complaints investigation and discipline. Policing attracts large number of complaints that flow in daily to police departments however, these are generally only the tip of the iceberg. Therefore, proper complaints investigation and discipline is essential to ensure public confidence in police and ensure justice in police operations (Prenzler, 2013, p. 63). Testing of applicants is another standard mechanism for attempting to prevent misconduct. These screen mechanisms include panel interviews, where questions about personal ethics and ethical scenarios can be presented, referee reports, drug test, and even home visits and financial reviews (Prenzler,