1. “A cadet will not lie, cheat, or steal, nor tolerate those who do.” The honor code provides a solid ethical structure and, when applied to this case study, can be used to determine the ethical issues present. Firstly, stealing narcotics evidence is explicitly stated as a violation of the honor code and therefore unethical. Second, Officer Mitchell not informing internal affairs of the possible breach simply because he thinks that his friend may be the culprit is toleration. Both are wrong though Officer Mitchell may also be motivated by the desire to maintain the reputation of the police force. Regardless of these concerns Officer Mitchell should pass the investigation over to internal affairs as he has a personal interest in the case.
2. This case study shows that investigators and officers should not work on cases in which they have personal interest. This leads to investigative bias and could end up impeding the investigation rather than aiding it. In such cases, investigations should be passed onto someone else without a personal interest so that it can be examined unbiasedly and resolved in accordance with the law and not personal feelings.
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As criminal justice often deals with the protection of the public it tends to be harsher in its punishments of those who commit an ethics violation, especially one involving theft of evidence. A law enforcement organization cannot afford to have members who break the laws they are meant to enforce.
4. This ethical issue shows that sometimes there is a choice between loyalty to a close friend and doing what is right. It is a difficult situation, but the latter is the better option because otherwise you would be practicing toleration and debasing the values that you
2. This case study shows that investigators and officers should not work on cases in which they have personal interest. This leads to investigative bias and could end up impeding the investigation rather than aiding it. In such cases, investigations should be passed onto someone else without a personal interest so that it can be examined unbiasedly and resolved in accordance with the law and not personal feelings.
3. …show more content…
As criminal justice often deals with the protection of the public it tends to be harsher in its punishments of those who commit an ethics violation, especially one involving theft of evidence. A law enforcement organization cannot afford to have members who break the laws they are meant to enforce.
4. This ethical issue shows that sometimes there is a choice between loyalty to a close friend and doing what is right. It is a difficult situation, but the latter is the better option because otherwise you would be practicing toleration and debasing the values that you