CRIMINAL JUSTICE 220 - WEEK 1 - DISCUSSION 1

Criminal Justice and the Study of Morality
Read the article titled “Ethics and Criminal Justice: Some Observations on Police Misconduct”, located at http://www.cjimagazine.com/archives/cji681a.html?id=1. Next, explain the degree to which ethics is or is not an important topic as it relates to criminal justice..

The degree to which ethics is considered as an appropriate restrictor to undesired behavior that is not considered appropriate is heavily dependent on circumstantial incidents in question when it relates to operation “police”.

As expected ethics is considered almost a necessitated complement when the administering of laws and legalities associated with justice is being fulfilled. Unfortunately as with absolutes this conceptualized view of ethics and police is not always the case when the processing and upholding of duty and honor is the case.

Cognitive ability is not a facilitated step in advancing to moralistic principles when dealing with the questioning of what ethics is and should be. Ethical morality is indeed a refined step in absolute and correctness with no deviation from duty.

Behavior is correct form of interaction and a supportive base to ethics that conclusively facilitate the interpretation of scenoramic episodes dealing with criminal activity. Although a study of principles ethics cannot stand exclusively by itself without good morality. Therefore concluding that ethics is not exclusivity to law enforcement but a surpass that allows inclusiveness of all.

Cognitiveness allows the processing and analysis of practices that are good, bad, evil, fair and upholding of moral duty that is instilled intrinsically. But as we look at criminal justice today within contemporary society under scrutiny police misconduct whether socialized, emulated or adopted it reflects the need for correction to stop the continued proliferation of unprofessional and unethical conduct. As such emphasis on honorary conduction to duty should be exemplified as iron clad.

The exclusive use of one rotten apple theory etcetera was good for the past but not for the future. Further because of this slack hand attitude it is only expected of the continuance of corruption from the floor up. From one corrupt act to another this is the example of emulated acts to follow and as such supports my point that ethics is not the blood of law enforcement today.

Provide at least one (1) example from the news to support your position.

Supportive of my position of incorrect training and procedural following is this highly profiled exhibit supplied by an online article (Before killing Alton Sterling, Baton Rouge police had a history of brutality complaints) relayed by The Times Picayune, written and submitted by Jarvis DeBerry and photos by Brett Duke.

This reflects an example of over zealous policemen doing their duty to the extreme. This scenario reflects that the appropriate situational approach was not done properly nor the correct procedures for stop, question, frisk, and pat down. Per the article this is worse than an assault…this is an execution and as such the correct discipline should be administered.

http://www.nola.com/crime/index.ssf/2016/07/baton_rouge_police_brutality.html

Based on the article, indicate the two (2) most significant empirical or quantitative studies that have been conducted to examine ethics in criminal justice. Then, describe the major implications of each study on the criminal justice field.

Two of the most significant studies that portray empirical and quantitative reflection and notations on police deflection from duty are as follows:

1. The Measurement of Police Integrity by Klockers, Ivkovitch, Harver and Haberfeld, 12
2. Police Attitudes Toward Abuse of Authority: Findings from a National Study by Weisburd & Greenspan.13

The first study conclusively finds that the temptation to deviate and commit misconduct either by self or other policemen is shielded by the “blue code”. What this is is a cultural environment that is proclivious to inner criminality. As such who is the greater or lesser evil in society…the common thug or the menacer in blue. With this thought in mind comes to play that trust and honor is lacking and the monies we pay for protection are naught and we are nothing. For acts of criminality are acts against us the people and public who are seeking protection. Further because of this those who are trustworthy cannot effectively do their job for the hindrances and defensiveness of the people against abuse.

The second study reflects that some of the major implications is that cognitive knowledge has been acknowledged but has not been accepted when too much force is used. The use of designated force is always to be gauged by the conclusive scenario in question. Thinking on ones feet is apt not physical assault or murder. Gauging correctly is always a deflective against abuse or misuse of authority vested. Therefore the use of excessive force of two or more policemen against one is a hindrance to effective law administration. Especially if the person is not armed, female, teenage, or elderly. The scenario has to be mentally cleared with a clear deduction of the ending result or consequence prior to enforcing submission.

Thank you.

Felicia

Reply to Co - student

I agree that ethics is an internalized trait when interwoven with high morals and values. Unethical decisions can sometimes unweave even the tightest of confines that include strict legalities.

Also, excessive force is a two side street that reflects badly on the officer and unit he/she is assigned to and cause unnatural fear of the police. Further whether the rotten apple theory is attributed to one or several within this unit the knowing is what shows the culpability to corruption and the discard of any integrious trait they formally had. From the floor up is the usual pattern hidden behind the "blue code".

Thank you.

Felicia