Reputable Conduct: Ethical Issues in Policing and Corrections (2nd Edition) - Softcover

Jones M.Ed. Ph.D., John R.; Carlson, Daniel P.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0131123335 ISBN 13: 9780131123335

Publisher: Pearson, 2003

Synopsis

This book looks at the peculiar ethical demands in the policing and corrections professions, with particular emphasis on sub-cultural constraints, and how loyalty to colleagues can sometimes cause a sacrifice of individuality. It contains a unique discussion on whether ethics can be taught, covers sensitive, real-life moral dilemmas and the ever-increasing ethical demands placed upon police and corrections professionals. For Chiefs of Police, Jail Wardens/Superintendents, and Principals of Justice Academies.

About this title

From the Inside Flap

Preface

Written for students in college criminal justice programs, and for police and corrections officers in training, Reputable Conduct has been designed as a working text rather than a reference book. And while this work combines Dr. Jones' 17 years of experience teaching ethics with Mr. Carlson's 33 years as a law enforcement practitioner and instructor, both acknowledge having been well taught by their many students and colleagues during that time. By design, the writing style and tone of this book are very personal, for as we wrote it, we imagined our students listening in.

Reputable Conduct is intended to be a friendly and easy-to-read introduction to the difficult and sometimes peculiar ethical demands of the professions of policing and corrections. It addresses some of the characteristics of these roles, with particular emphasis on subcultural constraints, and how loyalty to our colleague group can sometimes cause us to sacrifice our individuality. How these constraints may affect the moral decision making of an officer is looked at in detail in Chapters 5, 6, and 7.

One unusual feature of the book is the discussion in Chapter 4, which encourages the student to think about the role of the ethics educator. The discussion has been included so that the educator's role can be more clearly understood by the student. I hope this will reduce the possibility of misunderstanding arising between teacher and student regarding the purpose of an ethics course.

Tools that may be helpful for resolving moral dilemmas are discussed in Chapter 8. Chapter 9 includes several case studies to give students an opportunity to practice using these tools.

Some of the material in the book could be described as sensitive—even controversial—in nature. To gain maximum benefit from the experience of working through the book, students are encouraged to consider with an open mind the readings and the Reflections, which are searching questions interspersed throughout each chapter and based on the preceding content. This will require a degree of maturity and discipline.

Reputable Conduct is designed to provide students with a vehicle to promote private thought and class discussion about issues that—from what I have been told by my students and many practitioners over the years—are important to the vital roles played in our society by police and corrections officers.

If such thinking and discussion contribute, even in some small way, to justice continuing to be served, and to the individual officer's sense of well-being being enhanced, then the effort on all our parts will have been justified. Acknowledgments

It has been a pleasure to work with staff members of Prentice Hall Canada Career & Technology in the writing of this book, my first attempt at such an enterprise. They have been unfailingly helpful, cooperative, and encouraging.

I wish to acknowledge the early and continuing work of David Stover, acquisitions editor. David has been a gracious contract negotiator and guide. His early suggestions for improving the book were invaluable. Ivetka Vasil, editorial assistant, undertook the review process and kept me informed in a most supportive way. Andrew Winton, production editor, shepherded the book through the production phase and did so with class and a little firmness when it was required. And I wish to acknowledge the expert help and advice of Allyson Latta, whose copyediting contributed greatly to improving the original manuscript.

Finally, I wish to say how much I valued the feedback received from the external reviewers: Janet Hoffman, Lambton College; Lori Larsen, Lethbridge Community College; Ann Parks, Lethbridge Community College; Rebecca Volk, Algonquin College; Megan Way Nicholson, St. Lawrence College; and Lisa Bezaire, Sir Sandford Fleming College. Their encouraging and constructive comments gave me the will to finish the book, and much food for thought. Some of their suggestions have been incorporated in this edition, and others have been kept on file for inclusion in what, I hope, will be subsequent editions of this book.

J. R. J.

From the Back Cover

Why did a law enforcement officer in a large metropolitan police department brutalize a suspect? Why did it take several days for his colleagues to admit witnessing the event?

Such questions lead officers to ponder their moral duties and obligation, known generally as ethical considerations as they relate to the law enforcement profession. Some of the hardest decisions law enforcement officers make during their careers involve ethical issues. As a result, the actions taken to resolve these issues play a vital role in defining officers throughout their careers.

Reputable Conduct, Second Edition is intended to be a friendly and easy-to-read introduction to the difficult and sometimes peculiar ethical demands of the professions of policing and corrections.

Edition details

• Publisher: Pearson
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 0131123335
• ISBN 13: 9780131123335
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 208