Ethical Issues in Public Service (Essay Sample)

Ethical Dilemma in Police, Prosecutors, and Correction Officials
Student’s Name
Institution
Instructor’s name
[Date Due]

Ethical Dilemma in Police, Prosecutors, and Correction Officials
Police and the prosecutors are often subjected to the corruption that is a distinct problem that is causing ethical dilemma among the cops working in all police departments. Additionally, most of the police officers, correction officials, and prosecutors face a lot of refusals and denials to accept that they are faced with ethical dilemmas that compromise their ethics; for example the issue of corruption (Pollock, 2013). For example, police administrators are prevented from engaging in unethical and corruption acts so as to develop a sense appreciation and understanding of the of the issues related to justice. However, it is evident that based on the unclear understanding, sufficient information, and justice practices and strategies, police, correction officials, and prosecutors who are working in an environment that is risky are subjected to inappropriate behaviors that are unethical or cause ethical dilemmas. These behaviors destroy the police's personal and professional lives because unethical behavior affects personal reputation and overall credibility of the organization involved (Pollock & Becker, 1995).
Consequently, this paper reviews the ethical dilemmas that face the police, prosecutors, and correction officials when serving individuals. This is because the issue of ethics is being taught in the police training institutions where police commanders, internal affairs, attorneys, and internal affair play part in educating the recruited police, and correction officials are taught importance of ethics. However, despite the education and training given to police and prosecutors during training, the issue of the ethical dilemma is still a threat to many. The paper, therefore, firstly discusses the important ethical dilemmas faced by police, prosecutors, and correction officers. This is followed by an argument that is ethical based on whether victimless crimes such as gambling, prostitution and use of drugs should be taken as criminal offenses. Thirdly, the paper discusses relativity of the morality. Lastly, this is followed by an example of an ethical dilemma faced and how I solved it.
Important ethical dilemma in police, correction officials and prosecutors
Firstly, one of the ethical dilemma changing the police and prosecutors is to adapt to the changing and dynamic social context around them. This is because most of them are exposed to numerous ethical conflicts when unaware and unprepared. Secondly, police, correction officers, and prosecutors are forced to go as per the flow that is potentially subjected to ethical risks. Consequently, they are left wondering whether to engage in mental preparation or not especially when carrying out the official duties. Thirdly, it is an ethical dilemma to report illegal activity committed by a fellow officer working in the same department. Ethically, it would be important to report any misconduct committed by fellow workers; however, reporting a fellow worker is taken as a betrayal of people; yet, it is a career killer. Keeping quent as a police or correction officer may worsen the situation thus causing an ethical dilemma. To resolve this, I strongly feel that all misconduct should be reported to the right authority.
An ethical argument
Victimless crimes such as gambling, drug use, and prostitution should not be taken lightly because they kill morals and values set by the society. For these reasons, I strongly support that they should be taken as criminal offenses. This is because legalizing activities such as drug and substance abuse subject the current generation to criminal acts such as stealing, killing, or raping (Pollock, 1998). However, issues such as prostitution can be legalized because sex workers earn their daily bread through prostitution. However, it is against the society’s ethical considerations.
Is morality relative?
Morality is said to be relative and not absolute (Parkinson et al., 2011). Morality is taken to be relative because based on the morals set by the society, individuals make a choice on what to do and what not to do depending on the personal code of moral conduct. However, not all moral values set by society is correct; some morality is senseless and vague. Although we learned our morality from our parents, religious beliefs, political environment, and social groups not all values are correct. As a result, most of the people are believe that they have sufficient and clear knowledge about morality without analyzing the subjects; this call for the cultural preference to outweigh the issues of universal morality (Harsanyi, 2006). For example, countries that kill women after committing adultery, homosexuals, exercise force marriage, and encourage polygamy should be intervened by the culture. The cultural practices have a right to face these beliefs because they contradict with the ethical values.
Example of an ethical dilemma
I was getting out of a hotel one night during my night shift for a break. I was shocked to notice one of my fellow workmate who was off-duty completely intoxicated and trying to drive his car. I asked, “Friend let me know that you are not driving.” He replied abruptly, "yes I am driving." Driving when the drunk is illegal but this was my workmate and a good friend. How can I report his to the authority? However, to solve this dilemma I approached this guy and warned him no...