Tyler Morrissey

CJ Ethical
Leonard Decker

Ethical Dilemma Situation 1

First there is a driver who passes a red light after pulling over the car the driver is
recognized as the mayor. The mayor is then ticketed anyway but the next morning the officer is
told by his commanding officer because he didnt extend courtesy to the woman he is in trouble.
The next night while on patrol the mayor is once again speeding and weaving across lanes
erratically. These are some important facts to keep in mind when making a decision. The driver is
being reckless and can cause a possible causality resulting in an accident. If this type of behavior
is continued then not only is she a harm to herself but dangerous to others. The driver seems to
expect special treatment and gets anger if treated like a normal person due to her status as seen
by the superior officer getting mad at the police officer. Other than her status of a government
job she is no different than any other driver. Even after the ticket was given as a warning her
reckless behavior behind the wheel continues showing that she has little to no respect for the law
thinking she is above it.
First take in accountant the Virtue ethics evaluation of the ethical dilemma and ask what
kind of person fits along with the role along with what are the most important virtues. To be
professional the police officer should act like they always do with the traits of integrity, courage
and duty so they can fulfill their job like a professional. This means to treat the person like they
would anybody else and give them a fine for their behavior. According to the social justice
evaluation it must be asked if there is fair, equal, and just application of the laws, or are laws
applied unfairly, unequally, or unjustly to certain groups by the criminal justice system? Though
the woman is mayor her socioeconomic status should not entitle her to any special treatment.
Mayor is a critical position for a community so it only seems fair she take responsibility for her

Tyler Morrissey
CJ Ethical
Leonard Decker

actions. The Utilitarian evaluation is to seek the benefit for the many throwing away individual
rights. For example to choose the option that produces the most benefits for all those affected by
the decision. By ensuring that the mayor either stops her dangerous driving or is taken off the
road and thrown in jail the other drivers benefit from having to not worry about one less accident
about to happen while driving. Comparing them to those against this decision they outnumber
them so they are the many.. The egotistical evaluation asks to look at what is the most ethical
course of action that is best for the officer. To simply warn the Mayor each time would be the
most beneficial for the officer in this way of thinking because he is warning her along with
making his superior officer happy. Now will others benefit from what would most benefit the
officer? Not likely the Mayor will probably continue her dangerous driving ignoring the officer
as she did before so the only person that really benefits is the officer. The consequences for such
actions needs to be also taken into effect. Dymovsky spent one and a half months in jail for
fraud and misuse of authority (109). To allow the Mayor to go without punishment is a misuse
of authority and if caught the officer can be sent to jail and ruin their reputation like in the
example. Not really an ethical choice for a person considered to be public servant.
The most reasonable judgment for this type of situation is to first act in the perspective of
the public servant. Though she is reckless the station of mayor is important to the community.
Therefore a common courtesy will be given first with a bit of warning about her behavior to
please the superior and alert the driver. If such actions continue passed the first warning then the
she will be then treated like any other reckless driver. Any potential consequences from the
actions stated above will be meet head on for if the sacred code of ethics is not followed the
honor of being a policeman is lost and considered worthless. On my honor. I will never betray
the badge, my integrity, my character, or the public trust. I will always have the courage to hold

Tyler Morrissey
CJ Ethical
Leonard Decker

myself and others accountable for our actions. I will always uphold the Constitution, my
community and the agency I serve. (116). If being fired is being accountable for the actions
taken then so be it. By allowing the behavior of this mayor continue not only has the policemans
character been betrayed but the communitys and agencys for allowing such behavior and
actions happen. As mentioned before just this mere show of disrespect could make her think she
is due for other expectations and giving her position of power in the community that does not
make a good leader. Even if the driver of the car was a fellow policeman or a fellow classmate
from high school the actions taken would still be the same. As a professional it is critical to
follow the duties in an ethical manner no matter the exceptions.