The Police Role in Society, Police Discretion, and Dilemmas
Comprehending the role of police in society and the origin of police power creates an understanding of limitations and potential for abuse. Defining subculture and grasping the meaning of discretionary powers illuminates the dilemmas associated with both when related to police power.
After completing this lesson, you should be able to:
- Describe the two different missions of law enforcement in a democracy
- Explain the types of control that police have at their disposal
- Provide the justification for police power and the basic ethical standards that derive from this justification
- Identify the differences between the formal ethics of law enforcement and the values of the police subculture
- Describe recent research findings on the police subculture
- Provide any evidence that exists that law enforcement officers perform their role in a discriminatory manner
- Explain the ethical issues involved in proactive investigations
- Explore the ethical issues involved in reactive investigations
- Present information concerning the prevalence of and factors associated with the use of force by police officers
- Enumerate predictors associated with the use of excessive force
Professor's Notes
Police Subculture, Part 1
- Discuss the origin of police power, the duties and discretionary powers of law enforcement officers, and the police subculture
Note:
If you are experiencing issues with the video player, please use your personal computer to download the media file from the Download Media section of this course.
Police Subculture, Part 2
- After viewing the presentation above, watch this short YouTube video featuring a discussion of the white blood cell culture by Michael Josephson
Note:
If you are experiencing issues with the video player, please use your personal computer to download the media file from the Download Media section of this course.
Ethical Dilemmas and Decisions in Criminal Justice (9th ed.)
By Pollock, Joycelyn M
- Chapter 5 – The Police Role in Society
- Chapter 6 – Police Discretion and Dilemmas
Prompt
Explain the IACP Oath of Honor to your peers and how it exemplifies the ideals of service, the law, and personal conduct. Select a recent national incident spotlighting law enforcement actions, and articulate whether or not those ideals were upheld and why. Provide a link in your post to the incident. Provide feedback to at least two of your peers’ postings.
Response Parameters
Write at least five to seven sentences. Use APA citations as needed. Respond to at least two peers’ posts, writing a minimum of three to four sentences each. Click on the image below to view the RISE Model. Your meaningful feedback should reflect all four categories: Reflect, Inquire, Suggest, and Elevate.
- The initial post is due by Wednesday at 11:59 p.m. ET
- Peer response posts are due by Sunday at 11:59 p.m. ET
- The maximum number of points for this assignment is 25
Directions
- Analyze the ethical dilemma below using the steps listed in your text. Be sure to read your weekly chapter(s) before attempting this assignment
- You must resolve this dilemma using an ethical system/method described or referred to in your text. Be sure to use the template you acquired during Week 1, and work in your assigned group
- Your response should be at least 500 words in length, double-spaced, with references cited according to the APA. A cover page and abstract are not required
- Each member is required to complete the “Online Team Evaluation Form” on all fellow group members and submit the evaluation to the digital drop box
Dilemma
As a patrol officer, you are only doing your job when you stop a car for running a red light. Unfortunately, the driver of the car happens to be the mayor. You ticket him anyway, but the next morning you get called into the captain’s office and told in no uncertain terms that you screwed up because of an informal policy extending “courtesy” to city politicians. Several nights later you observe the mayor’s car weaving erratically across lanes and speeding. What would you do? What if the driver was a fellow police officer? What if the driver was a high school friend?
- This assignment is due by Sunday at 11:59 p.m. ET
- The assignment may only be submitted in the current week
- Use the digital drop box to submit your completed assignment
- The maximum number of points for this assignment is 50
Complete the Weekly Team Evaluation form for the ethical dilemma group project.
- Weekly Online Team Evaluation form (PDF)
- Weekly Online Team Evaluation form (doc) (Use this form if unable to edit the PDF version above)
- Example Weekly Team Evaluation Form (PDF)
The form may only be submitted in the current week. Use the digital drop box to submit your completed form.
- This quiz consists of 25 multiple-choice questions
- You will have 50 minutes to complete the quiz
- Quiz must be completed no later than Sunday by 11:59 p.m. ET