In the current professions, a set of rules that govern the limits of workers remains important. The rules and policies are set to give the corresponding officials and other concerned members a clear way of dealing with the people they serve. In business, health, politics and all other institutions, whether economic or not, rules are applied to the professionals to ensure that they give the concerned parties the right services. A code of ethics can, therefore, be defined as a set of rules put in place to govern the way people live and interact in a certain environment. The police officers are no exception to ethical codes because they serve human beings (Barker and Thomas 37). Given that human is to err, the police are prone to mistakes regardless of training and hence the need for a set of policies in their agencies.
Ethical behavior enables institutions such as the police agencies to conduct their businesses with integrity and honesty. The ethics document outlines the vision, mission, and values of the organization hence enable visitors as well as customers to understand the standards in which the agency operates. The vision of the company enables the executive officials and their subordinates to work towards goals that get the agency closer to the vision. The mission statement acts as a daily reminder to all the parties of the police agency o their role in fulfilling the core reason of the firm’s existence (Maguire and Edward 113). The values outlined in the code of ethics document clarify the mission and vision into simpler habits that can be acquired and practiced daily. The values of a police agency could include transparency, honesty, hard work, integrity, availability, openness, and accountability. The values form the basis of the ethics.
The code of ethics serves several purposes in the police agencies. To begin with, the codes define the limits to which the officials can work within. People tend to get aggressive in the field of work hence bringing in the need to set limits. Without a set of defined and clarified policies, the police officers tend to get off the expectations of the public. The system, therefore, gives confidence to the public and the profession that in the case of trouble, the members will respond appropriately (Kleinig and John 128). The confidence plays a role in ensuring that the members that fail face an outlined punishment. Fighting and preventing crime firms the most integral part of police agencies. Effective crime prevention requires a set of rules that involve the community as well as the agency.
A defined code of ethics helps the professional policemen to deliver the highest output in their public services. The stipulated values act as a guide as to how individuals must operate their businesses. The members of the agency get directions of how to respond to the daily challenges from the set policies. All the members are expected to act in a certain way when encountered by situations that demand their decision making (Barker and Thomas 37). It is mandatory for the members to be well versed with the required reactions towards the encounters they have as they interact with the public. The police can only make informed decisions if they have the desired skills, knowledge, attitudes and values. Each member of the law enforcement agency must know the code of ethics well. It is a guarantee that good decisions lead to quality outcomes in the field of the police force.
More importantly, all members of the policing profession make complex decisions every day. The choices range from how to calm distressed public members to skills of allocating the available scarce resource. The only way to responsibly support the methods applied in these processes is a set of clear limits under which to operate (Kleinig and John 39). The police agencies are responsible for ensuring that the members are equipped with the standard skills for the complicated work they carry out on a daily basis. Development of rules and regulations addressing the factors affecting the policy enables the police to make informed decisions regardless of the context and level of complexity. The code of ethics also enables the member to keep to the rules since it clearly stipulates the expected reactions in case the rules are violated.
The ethical rules shape the character and desired name for the agency. This promotes confidence among the public. For instance, the government sometimes uses the police to instill discipline in the public especially the opposition. The police staff and members follow a clear route to instill respect for the government. The stability of a nation’s economy is dependent on the ability of the police to maintain order in the public. The code of ethics plays a great role in ensuring that the maintenance of order is done within limits. The members of the agency work hard to ensure their behavior in the public upholds the morals of the society. Working closely with the societal rules and beliefs gives the police confidence when in service to the public regardless of color, tribe is race.
The police officers need regulations as law enforcers. The officers are subject to the code of ethics which guides their mandates. The code of ethics is imperative in the police agency just like in any other organizations (Kleinig and John 39). Firstly, it provides the primary roles of a police officer. The code of ethics ensures that each police officer is aware of the roles that he or she has been mandated with. The awareness enables the officers to perform to their optimal standards. The codes state the scope of roles accorded to each officer to ensure that everyone conducts himself or herself as expected by the law. The basic roles of a police officer include serving the people of the community, upholding peace, safeguarding lives, and ensuring human rights and justice.
The code of ethics ensures equality of service within the police agency. The officers are expected to perform their duties impartially and without favor regardless of sex, religious beliefs, age, race or political beliefs of the public members. The code states that no officer should be influenced by feelings, friendship or enmity in their conduct (Maguire and Edward 113). The police agency should enforce the law courteously and with maximum cooperation from the public. Again, the code of conduct ensures no officer use any unnecessary force and violence in their service. Use of force is only allowed after negotiations and failure of persuasions. Every police officer is to avoid any actions that unnecessarily inflict pain to any person in circumstances where force is unavoidable. In addition, the code of conduct assures the police department of confidentiality.
The agency rules and regulations train the members to maintain privacy. Every police officer is not allowed to reveal any information that is of confidential nature. Members of the public have a right to confidentiality and privacy and any information revealed to any police officer should be kept secret. During their daily practices, the police staff and members encounter situations that require their ability to keep secrets. The confidentiality skill enables the police men to reduce the risk of causing public unrest. However, the members of the agency are taught skills of handling the public in case they are questioned about a sensitive matter. Confidentiality ensures that the cases that are critical to national security are addressed gently. The code of ethics also ensures integrity within the police agency. Police officers are not allowed to participate in any form of corruption or bribery.
The code of ethics ensures that the police work effectively with the current system of government. The police officers are taught skills and values of dealing with political situations. The body works hand in hand with the government to ensure stability nationally. Working with the government calls for a set of limitations, values and attitudes. The responsibility of the agency therefore lies in ensuring that the police men are equipped to respond appropriately when called upon by the government. The ethical values ensure that the staff of a police agency works smoothly with the government officials. The ethical principles also ensure that the members of the agency make the right decisions concerning unclear assignments that involve the government. The ethical code allows the police to decide their side of alliance easily when faced with difficult situations.
The code of ethics generally remains a requirement for all professionals. The policing field of profession critically needs a clear set of rules to inform their decision making. The most important part of the career of police members entails deism making. Most of the challenges faced by the police require decision-making skills of high quality for them to give the best in their jobs.
Work cited
Barker, Thomas. Police Ethics: Crisis in Law Enforcement. Springfield, Ill: Chares C. Thomas, 2011. Print.
Kleinig, John. Professional Law Enforcement Codes: A Documentary Collection. Westport, Conn. [u.a.: Greenwood Press, 1993. Print.
Kleinig, John. The Ethics of Policing. Cambridge [u.a.: Cambridge Univ. Press, 1996. Print.
Little Rock Police Department: History & Personnel. Paducah, Ky: Turner Pub. Co, 2005. Print.
Maguire, Edward R. Organizational Structure in American Police Agencies: Context, Complexity, and Control. Albany: State University of New York Press, 2003. Internet resource.
