Running head: CRIMINAL JUSTICE ETHICS

Course Project Week 4

Ronald Jenkins
DeVry University

Author Note
This paper was prepared for Ethics 232
taught by Professor Simon
Course Project Week #: 4

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2
Ethics 232 Course Project Week #: 4

First of all, my partner used a deontological approach in assuming that the

people that were walking in the area were the people who actually committed the
crime. Several factors can be associated with the likelihood that an officer would
make an arrest based on suspicion. thereby transforming some citizens into
suspects at the expense of other citizens is also unethical. The common good, then,
consists primarily of having the social systems, institutions, and environments on
which we all depend work in a manner that benefits all people. I feel that his
judgment was clouded by his ego to make an arrest in the case. This is not in
alignment with the mission statement of the department, which could jeopardize
the cultural integrity of the department. If people knew that the arrest was made on
mere assumptions and not factual evidence, it could lead to unrest and distrust of
other officers. In challenging my partner as to what happened in the interrogation
room would be to find out if he were aware of his moral duties that he swore to
uphold. This is an example of the utilitarian ethical approach, in that he was aware
of his actions in denying the accused their parental present during the interrogation,
as well as not having video the interrogation. Also in this situation, he clearly used
a utilitarian approach to his decision. I would further ask if there was anything else
that he forgot to do that could jeopardize the integrity of the interrogation, the case

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or the department. In my decision I believe that it would be in the best interest of

the department and to try and keep the public from becoming untested over the
situation, I would not report it to anyone, however, I would make a note of the
situation. I would explain that although this may not be common practice, it can
easily take precedence over what is right if this type of practice continues. It is
known that practicing bad conduct will lead to making unethical decisions by
virtue. I would explain to him that this could also lead to termination and lawsuits,
which would be bad for the department as well. I would ask my partner if he
thought additional training is needed to assist him in becoming more compliant,
and maybe refresh on the mission statement of the department as well as his oath
he took becoming an officer. I would also suggest that he sit in on an interrogation
to see if he could pick up any tips to better his methods of interrogation. I would
explain to him why I chose to go along with him on this, even though it is
unethical, but it is for the greater good of the department. In doing so I would ask
the he reframes from this type of practice or I would have to take other actions
because I also have an ethical obligation to ensure that everyone is treated fairly
according to the law and department policies. Ethical decisions should be guided
by an advisors core values of honesty and integrity, respect and fairness,
responsibility, and the pursuit of excellence. Putting ones self in the other persons

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situation is critical when making ethical decisions. Advisors must consider

not only who will be affected but how they will be affected. The resulting decision
should meet the reasonable needs of all affected persons (Arizona State University
Handbook, 2000). The foundation of ethical decision-making involves choice and
balance. Good choices should be made in light of what a reasonable person would
do in the situation (Chmielewski, 2004). The goal in solving ethical dilemmas is to
find a balance that causes the least harm to everyone involved (Nutt, 2007, Ethics
in Advising). To solve ethical problems, we must gather all the necessary facts and
determine what is at the heart of the problem. rules and laws that apply must be
observed and the use guiding principles and values of the organization must be
acknowledged and followed with weigh to principles and facts in order to
determine what is ethical or unethical. There may not be one right answer;
rather, the best decision will lead to an outcome where the least harm is done to all
involved (Frank, p. 54). Ethical decision-making strives to reduce complexity by
introducing general principles that apply across the board (Frank, p. 55).

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References
APA Manual (Publication manual of the American Psychological Association) (6th ed.). (2010).
Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
APA Style. (n.d.). http://www.apastyle.org. Retrieved July 1, 2014, from http://apastyle.org
Python Snippet Retrieved March 27, 2016, from https://www.python.org
C++ Snippet Retrieved March 27, 2016, from https://msdn.microsoft.com/enus/library/ms165394.aspx
http://quoteinvestigator.com

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