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Ethics Training: Using Officers' Dilemmas

NCJ Number
167073
Journal
FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Volume: 65 Issue: 11 Dated: (November 1996) Pages: 20-27
Author(s)
J M Pollock; R F Becker
Date Published
1996
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This article focuses on an ethics training method that uses officers' dilemmas as a teaching tool.
Abstract
The instructors use ethical dilemmas submitted by class participants as the basis for 50 percent of the course content. The other 50 percent of the course involves discussing the dilemmas within specific ethical frameworks. An ethical dilemma is defined as "a situation in which individuals do not know the right course of action, have difficulty doing what they consider to be right, and find the wrong choice very tempting." For purposes of the class exercises, the instructors group the dilemmas presented by officers into four general categories: discretion (legality), duty (service), honesty, and loyalty. Of these, officers most often cite discretion and loyalty. A fifth category, gratuities, is a perennial concern among administrators. If no law applies to a given dilemma and if departmental policy is silent or ambiguous, then the discussion can be directed quickly to an ethical analysis of possible solutions. After discussing the dilemmas, the instructor asks the officers to apply ethical frameworks to the possible solutions. Some of the ethical frameworks discussed are religious ethics, natural law, ethical formalism, utilitarianism, and ethics of care. Drawing on dilemmas and discussing various ethical frameworks give officers a realistic view of work situations they may face and supply them with the tools needed to resolve dilemmas. 4 notes