Police Ethics

Getting Started
This writing assignment explores the code of ethics used by law enforcement officers.  You will research the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics and analyze how police adhere to the Code of Ethics.

Upon successful completion of the course material, you will be able to:

Identify the factors that contribute to police corruption.
Describe the law enforcement code of ethics.

Resources
Textbook: Policing America: Challenges and Best Practices
Media 4.5 Resource: Police Accountability
File: Law Enforcement Code of Ethics
Video: M&I: The Police: Issues and Challenges Issue 2: Police Ethics and Corruption

Background Information
Codes of ethics provide moral guidelines and define expected professional behavior. They assist members in understanding what is right and wrong, and many organizations share their ethical expectations by creating, adopting, and sharing a code of ethics or code of conduct.  Codes of ethics do not cover every situation.  Police officers, attorneys, and corrections professionals all have codes of ethics specific to their profession, as do many other professions.

Instructions
Review the rubric to make sure you understand the criteria for earning your grade.
Review Chapters 7-11 in the textbook, Policing America: Challenges and Best Practices.
Review the media 4.5 Resource: Police Accountability.
View the handout Law Enforcement Code of Ethics.
Watch the following video: M&I: The Police: Issues and Challenges Issue 2: Police Ethics and Corruption.
Write a one-page paper that addresses these questions:
Do police officers always live up to their code of ethics?
What might they not live up to?
What might be the causes for misconduct?
Remember to cite your references using APA formatting.

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