Explain how police sub-cultures can undermine an agencies code of ethics? Analyze strategies to improve the ethical environment and maintain high standards for all of police department personnel.
Police sub-cultures are defined as a blue wall so to speak. It's basically an unspoken “rule” between law enforcement officers regarding their loyalty to each other. It's a type of closeness that law enforcement officers often form when they have been working together for a long period of time. When this type of bond has been formed between law enforcement officers, their loyalty to each other 'over rules' the oath they made when becoming a police officer. This not on effects their agencies code of ethics but can also affect their own morals they have set for their self. Police officers are often told from the start (in training) to never show weakness. For example, if a new officer appears distraught after dealing with a violent child abuse case, a peer may enforce the attitudes of the subculture by sarcastically mocking the officer and asking if he or she needs a tissue to wipe away tears (Malmin, 2012). If that said officer above kept getting negative comments from his peers and then later commits suicide due to the stress of the job – was the other police officer acting ethical? No, he wasn't. If the police officer that was effect by the child abuse and he wanted to seek job, would him seeking help be used against him later? There is a possibly it could be and that is why a lot of police officers don't want to seek help. In fear that it could be used against them later whether it's by a court or possibly his fellow peers. The same goes for protecting fellow officers, police officer often sometimes feel like it's part of their job to protect each other even if one is in trouble. For an example, two police officers pulled over a car and seized marijuana from the car. One police officer took some of the marijuana and told the other police officer 'don't tell anyone, it helps me cope with the stress' and the other police officer agrees. Not only does that undermine the agencies code of ethics but possibly his morals as well. He could have told someone but his formed this special bond with this other police officer, he doesn't want them to get into trouble.
The only true way to improve and change these sub-cultures is having police officers and administrators need to acknowledge the problem. Police officers need to be more honest and open whether it's something big or small. Just because someone is a police officer doesn't mean they have the be tough all the time. If a police officer is having a hard time dealing with a case they dealt with, there needs to be more open sources for the police officer to get help without thinking it will be used against them later or made of because they are suppose to be tough. Until this changes, I personally think there still will up a high rate of police officers drinking, using drugs, stealing, lying and even suicide.
2) Based on your research, analyze what you feel is the biggest ethical concern facing the U.S. Criminal Justice System today and include these questions in your response:
1. Why did you select this issue?
2. History of this issue within the Criminal Justice System
3. Strategies and recommendations by you to to address this issue.
I personally think corruption within law enforcement is the biggest ethical problem we're facing today. More and more police officers are getting arrested for stealing here lately. One good example is what happened last year in Cherryville, North Carolina. Four law enforcement officers were arrested and charged with conspiracy to transport and/or receive stolen property, four counts each of transportation of stolen property, one count of conspiracy to extort under color of official right, one count of money laundering conspiracy, four counts of money laundering and aiding and abetting, and three counts of possession of a firearm in relation to a crime of violence (Troop, 2012). The police officers helped criminals get tractor trailers filed with stolen items such as TV's, cars and even generators across the county in return for cash – about $400,000 after the items were sold. None of the officers help drive the truck but they would drive behind the trailers or even watch from a distance to make sure nobody (mainly other police officers) were coming when loading and unloading the trailers. They admitted to doing this numerous times , at least twice in 2012. They're still currently awaiting trial in Charlotte, North Carolina. The town it self seems like it has it's problem as in 2011 the town clerk and finance director left their jobs after an audit showed they were using city credit cards for their own use.
Police corruption will always be there, no matter what law enforcement does. The only true way to make them think harder before committing a crime is making the punishment more harsh for law enforcement officer if they breaking the law. For an example, instead of giving them leave with pay, take their pay. If they're being investigated for a crime, they don't deserve the money. If it comes to show they didn't actually commit the crime they are being investigated for, pay them after the investigation is complete. What if after the investigation is complete and it shows that the police officer did commit the crime? We basically paid them for doing something wrong and that isn't right. Granted, yes, they have bills and everything else but they should have thought about that before committing a crime. As far as more harsh punishment – let's say a 'normal' person robs a person and takes their drugs and gets caught. They normally get charged with robbery (armed robbery if they used a weapon) and possession of the drugs. Say this 'normal' person gets 5 years in prison for an example, I think if a law enforcement officer that was sworn in to protect us, should get more years than the 'normal' did. Why? Because law enforcement officers are suppose to protect the community and do right by the agencies code of ethics.
All in all, I personally think law enforcement officers should get harsher punishment than citizens. Then maybe they would think twice about committing a crime even though the same could be said about citizens.
Malmin, M., 2012. Changing Police SubCulture. Retrieved via Internet on April 17th, 2013.
http://www.fbi.gov/stats-services/publications/law-enforcement-bulletin/april-2012/changing-police-subculture
Troop, C., 2012. Officers Indicted on Corruption Charges; 6 Arrested. Retrieved via Internet on April 17th, 2013.
http://www.wcnc.com/news/local/FBI-agents-respond-to-Cherryville-City-Hall-174583071.html
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