This study explores the ethical behavior of police officers, and their attitudes toward varying degrees of transgressions. The author of this study, Louise Westmarland, states that although there has been an increased interest in police ethics, it is unclear if any cultural change has occurred; the lack of knowledge and ability to make a comparison is due to little interest on this topic in the past. This study is the first of its kind in the United Kingdom. Participants in the study were provided a survey that described different rule breaking behaviors. The survey collected both qualitative and quantitative data. The rule breaking behaviors in the survey ranged from accepting free coffee, to excessive use of force.
The survey included eleven …show more content…
There were three categories of behavior: “rule bending,” “noble cause,” and acquisitive crimes. The questions were designed in this way to gauge police force policy versus police “integrity.” According to the results, most officers found the acquisitive offenses to be the most serious. An example of one acquisitive crime question involved an officer who responded to a robbery from a jewelry store; the officer stole a watch because he/she knew that there would be no question that the item was missing due to the nature of the crime. The participants focused on monetary value to determine seriousness in these examples, however monetary value did not play much of roll when an officer accepted a free coffee, or a small Christmas gift in the “rule bending” questions. It should be noted that the questions in the survey were not in order by their category.
In reference to the “rule bending” questions, the rating of seriousness increased appropriately as anticipated by the author. The more serious the offense, the more likely an officer would be to report the incident, however one particular question in this category received higher ratings than some of the acquisitive crimes. The scenario involved an officer receiving requested holidays off in turn for favor to his/her …show more content…
There is a sense that an officer is expected to not tell on a colleague, but also support anyone who is a whistle blower. Overall, the participants showed “high levels of understanding of what professional integrity requires of them; they know the “rules” and have firm beliefs about some types of behavior being “very serious.” ” (pg163). Further study is needed to determine why the acquisitive crimes were deemed more serious than the “noble cause” questions. The idea that officers are willing to accept small gifts or favors, as well as their acceptance of excessive use of force is reinforced by this
The survey included eleven …show more content…
There were three categories of behavior: “rule bending,” “noble cause,” and acquisitive crimes. The questions were designed in this way to gauge police force policy versus police “integrity.” According to the results, most officers found the acquisitive offenses to be the most serious. An example of one acquisitive crime question involved an officer who responded to a robbery from a jewelry store; the officer stole a watch because he/she knew that there would be no question that the item was missing due to the nature of the crime. The participants focused on monetary value to determine seriousness in these examples, however monetary value did not play much of roll when an officer accepted a free coffee, or a small Christmas gift in the “rule bending” questions. It should be noted that the questions in the survey were not in order by their category.
In reference to the “rule bending” questions, the rating of seriousness increased appropriately as anticipated by the author. The more serious the offense, the more likely an officer would be to report the incident, however one particular question in this category received higher ratings than some of the acquisitive crimes. The scenario involved an officer receiving requested holidays off in turn for favor to his/her …show more content…
There is a sense that an officer is expected to not tell on a colleague, but also support anyone who is a whistle blower. Overall, the participants showed “high levels of understanding of what professional integrity requires of them; they know the “rules” and have firm beliefs about some types of behavior being “very serious.” ” (pg163). Further study is needed to determine why the acquisitive crimes were deemed more serious than the “noble cause” questions. The idea that officers are willing to accept small gifts or favors, as well as their acceptance of excessive use of force is reinforced by this