POLICE
ETHICS AND
COMMUNITY
RELATIONS
MODULE POLICE ETHICS AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS
CHAPTER 1:
INTRODUCTION
TO POLICE
ETHICS
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MODULE POLICE ETHICS AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION TO POLICE ETHICS
OBJECTIVES:
a. Understand the definition of ethics
b. Distinguish ethics and morality
“A wise man does what is right because he knows what is right.” – Socrates
The tremendous power that policing has
over people’s lives requires that police officers
represent good or evil. To maintain the public trust,
police must be men and women of good character
who hold foremost the ideals of fairness and
justice. The manner in which police use their
discretion to enforce the law and solve problems
will determine whether the public will view the
police as ethical.
In today's situation, the question of the relevance of ethics in today's policing
system is very important. What is the place of ethics in the life of ordinary men is more in
an ordinary policeman on the street. If ethics is a philosophy of action, how can it affect
the life of the man of today?
The relevance of ethics is itself a tenet of a basic discipline. It is the backbone of
the human action, conduct and existence. It is like an air that can help a man to breath.
Without it, life will collapse not only the men but the entire society. Let us imagine, a police
organization which do not believe in the philosophy of ethics or adopt ethical standard in
their action, that organization is like a stinking mess, a misplace organization. One which
instead securing the community from fear will sow terror and immeasurable fear
considering that they have the weapon and authority to abuse their power.
ETHICS, DEFINED:
Etymologically, ethics is derived from the Greek word “ethicos”, or that which
pertains to the ethos, which the English translation is custom or character.
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MODULE POLICE ETHICS AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS
From this etymological meaning the following vernacular or formal definitions can
be drawn, such as:
a. Ethics is the practical science of the normality of human conduct.
b. Ethics is a philosophical science dealing with the morality of the human acts.
c. Ethics is the systematic study of human actions from the point of view of the
rightness or wrongness as means for the achievement of ultimate happiness.
d. Ethics is the normative science of the conduct of human beings living in
societies - science which judges this conduct to be right or wrong, to be good
or bad.
e. Ethics means a philosophical study of morality, of the foundation on which
morality is based, and of the practical implications of a systematic moral
outlook.
f. Ethics is a normative science based on reason, on which interprets specific and
paramount facts, the elements of which are conduct in oughtness.
ETHICS AND MORALITY, DISTINGUISHED.
In fact, there is no
distinction between ethics and
morality since the two words,
ethics came from the Greek
word “ethos” which Greek word
“mos” or “moris” which also
means custom. However, there
is a slight difference between
the two, and that is while ethics
outlines theories of right or
wrong, morality translate these
theories into action. In other
words, morality is nothing else but a doing of ethics.
It is not always clear in many situations what is the ethical way to act. Officers
frequently have their decisions reviewed and question after a crisis has passed.
Unfortunately, the police had often not been given appropriate guidance in ethical
decision-making. Given the complexities of enforcing the law in a diverse population, it is
inadequate to teach rookie-policemen the technical skills of policing and then send them
into the community under the assumption that they will do the “right”.
• Three Ethics-Check (Blanchard and Peale)
o Is it legal?
o Is it balanced?
o How will it make me feel about myself?
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MODULE POLICE ETHICS AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS
The first question should pose a little problem for most officers. Much time is spent
on criminal and constitutional law in most law enforcement programs. The focus of the
second question is whether the decision is fair to everyone involved, in the short term and
long term period does the decision create a win-win situation? The third question is
perhaps the most crucial period would you mind seeing your decision published in the
paper? Would you feel good if your friends and family knew about your decision?
• Five Principles of Ethical Power (Blanchard and Peale)
1. Purpose. I see myself as being an ethically sound person. I let my conscience
be my guide. No matter what happens, I am always able to face the mirror look
myself straight in the eye and feel good myself.
2. Pride. I feel good about myself. I don't need the acceptance of other people to
feel important period a balance self-esteem keeps my ego and my desire to be
accepted from influencing my decisions.
3. Patience. I believe that things will eventually work out well. I don't need
everything to happen right now. I am at peace with what comes my way.
4. Persistence. I stick to my purpose, especially when it seems inconvenient to
do so. My behavior is consistent with my intentions. As Churchill said, “Never,
never, never give up.
5. Perspective. I take time to enter each day quietly in a mood of reflection. This
helped me to get myself focused and allows me to listen to my inner self and
to see things more clearly.
Ethical behavior by individual officers and by the department as a whole is
indispensable to effective police community partnership.
TOPIC LINK FOR VIDEO
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rr7U49RPpT
What is Ethics?
s
What is Morality? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJjnQRgFtzo
Difference Between Ethics and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAL2uzuxbT
Morals - Ethics vs Morals o
Reference:
Bermas, Danilo S. (2004) Handbook on Police Ethics and Community Relations.
Philippines, Central Book Supply, Inc.
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