1.5: Ethical Decisions

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Ecstasy is having choices and Agony is having to make one. An ethical decision is often obfuscated by a plethora of information (factual or not) that muddies the pool of clear thought. The fact is a decision is simply a choice. How one makes that choice or concludes a decision is right for a particular situation is what shall be relegated to the 20/20 censors from now until eternity. Members of the CJ System are often called upon to make a decision anywhere from a Nano-second to Mill-second. The front line practitioner does not enjoy the same periods of time to ponder the action as does lawyers and judges that may have months upon years to evaluate an action. The greater the difficulty of the decision therein lies the mirrored degree of dilemma. The decision may be juxtaposed with competing values of equal intensity or may place the decision maker in a character challenge or in a personality conflict. Either of these will often render the most innocuous decision more difficult, and there are those moments in time we may make a wrong decision as a result of a choice.

Albanese (2012) asserts “Aristotle emphasizes that ethical conduct requires practice so that it become a habit” (p.18). In short decision making requires practice. Good decisions require correct measures or a set of skills to make the most correct decision. These are:

Maintain an open mind
Evaluate relevant facts
Identify moral questions
Apply ethical principles (Albanese, 2012).

Let’s re-examine the situation that you, the police officer found yourself misusing the NCIC system. How would you use these steps to analyze your dilemma and come to an ethical conclusion? What might you offer your friend rather than risk discipline or termination or jail time? How might you act rather than relying on the “Well everyone else does it” excuse? The choice really will not be that difficult if you follow these few steps and perform your duty as required.