1.2: So why study Ethics?

The daily life of most citizens within the United States and the world inclusively live by some form of moral guidance, character, values, and integrity. Albeit, not all of which may be conveniently compartmentalized to a one size fits all for every human being. An individual may be impacted by life course events that alter that which was once held sacred, however does not mean that should they move from one ethical approach to another the action does not render them unethical. This premise holds for the most part universally accurate in-spite of one’s vocation. Yet those that pursue a career in the criminal justice system morality, character, and integrity are paramount. At the end of the day when a shift or watch is complete or more so when a career has concluded the only thing we have that is truly ours is integrity and character (McCartney and Parent, 2015).

So why are ethics of such importance in criminal justice? What are ethics? Where had ethics originated? Taking the latter first, the roots of Ethics are woven into the fabric of the American Social Contract Theory that can be traced to the early teachings of Socrates (470-399 B.C.), Plato (428-348 B.C.), and Aristotle (384-322 B.C.). These philosophers are later found in the social contract era within the works of Thomas Hobbes (1651), John Locke (1689), and Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1762); and more recently in the works of John Rawls (1921–2002), and within the framework of our justice system (Albanese, 2012; & Pollack, 2010).

Second, the former question; why are ethics important? The United States is a country founded on the “Rule of Law” unlike forms of an oligarchy, plutocracy, or dictatorship forms of government that “Rule by Law”. The Social Contract Theory in America in essence provides authority to local, state, and federal government to provide security of its citizenry through citizen consent, to relinquish certain freedoms, such as taking the law into their own hands. America, since its inception has begun the slow process of less citizen involvement of safety and enforcement of the law by permitting military and law enforcement to perform such tasks (Adler, 1991; Pollack, 2010; & Albanese, 2012).

This contract is the creation of man for the purposes of providing social tranquility administered by government; however in return members of American society expect the highest level of integrity and ethical conduct in doing so (Whitman, 2013). To this point, those employed in the CJ system generally conduct them self with limited supervision and have vast amounts of discretionary authority, specifically this is true within policing. Those that are employed in any one of these fields are human and are subject to bias, prejudice, and emotion. Thus ethical conduct is principal to ensure integrity within the system.

Third, what are ethics? The quick, down and dirty overview so far of this material emphasizes a historical perspective of the topic of ethics. Now what are ethics is a more broad discussion fraught with bias and myth. Hence forth it is important to read, research, and learn for yourself. We shall introduce and discuss “Critical Thinking” as a key component to the study of ethics. Critical thinking requires critical listening and readers are required to form an opinion for one-self, thereby there is no AP, nor can you Google your opinion. Later in this discussion we shall examine processes that are often employed to weed out unsatisfactory police officer candidates being considered for hire. First, it is important to define words that will often be used in this writing:

Character: the mental and moral qualities distinctive to an individual; "running away was not in keeping with her character"

Critical Thinking: Is the ability to evaluate fact-viewpoint and behavior objectively. Critical Thinking requires Critical Listening that is the ability to listen objectively without forming opinions prior to hearing all facts and points of view. The exercise culminates in the ability to compare that which was conveyed with that which is real, true, accurate, and can be substantiated. In research the critical analysis applies pro/con viewpoints and fact to the question to arrive at a valued opinion.Critical Thinking: Is the ability to evaluate fact-viewpoint and behavior objectively. Critical Thinking requires Critical Listening that is the ability to listen objectively without forming opinions prior to hearing all facts and points of view. The exercise culminates in the ability to compare that which was conveyed with that which is real, true, accurate, and can be substantiated. In research the critical analysis applies pro/con viewpoints and fact to the question to arrive at a valued opinion.

Ethics: The study of Morality (Ortmeier and Meese, 2010).

Factual Judgments: Describe something.

Integrity: the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness.

Integrity-Ethics: This involves maintaining high standards of personal conduct. It consists of attributes such as honesty, impartiality, trustworthiness, and abiding by laws, regulations and procedures. It includes not abusing the system nor using the position of authority for personal gain; not bending rules or otherwise trying to beat the system by tampering with evidence, slanting reports, providing inaccurate testimony, etc.; not engaging in assaultive or violent conduct; and not engaging in illegal or immoral activities – either on or off duty. This involves avoiding that conduct which brings discredit to oneself and the police agency (NYS DCJS, 2009).

Morals/Morality: Good conduct, or that which focuses on universal rules of society, how one ought to behave Ortmeier and Meese, 2010).

Values: a person's principles or standards of behavior; one's judgment of what is important in life (Webster’s Dictionary). That which provides guidance.

Value Judgements: a person's principles or standards of behavior; one's judgment of what is important in life; characterize a situation or event by making an evaluative statement. (Ortmeier and Meese, 2010)