Should Police Officers Who Lie Be Terminated as a Matter of Public Policy?
Glenda Pearson
Liberty University
201530 Summer 2015 CJUS 530-B02 LUO
Abstract
Ethical behavior of policemen, similarly to any other representative of the state authority, is put under a more thorough public consideration than the ethical behavior of other individuals in the society. Telling the truth is one of the cornerstones of ethical behavior. Immanuel Kant, the founder of theoretical fundamentals of morality in the western culture, argues that a person, in this case police officer, should always tell the truth. Truth is essential for the functioning of judicial system. Another question of concern is about the treatment of those officers who have hidden the truth. The theoretical principle of Kant’s morality should be taken into consideration for treatment of the guilty policemen in a complex way with the purpose to achieve the ultimate good for the society.
Keywords: police, public policy, morality, Immanuel Kant
Should Police Officers Who Lie Be Terminated as a Matter of Public Policy?
Every person involved in the criminal justice system relies on police honesty:
Under the application of the collective knowledge doctrine, police officers rely on the validity of information provided to them by fellow officers.
Supervisors render decisions based on information received from officers.
According to the tenets of community policing, citizens are urged to communicate and cooperate with law enforcement officials. If they trust and respect police officers, the ability to garner their support will only be enhanced.
Prosecutors depend on honest reports, statements, and affidavits when prosecuting criminals.
Judges rely on honesty in evaluating warrants.
Jurors determine guilt or innocence and often liability based on an officer’s investigation and testimony (Spector, 2008, para. 11).
Ethical behavior of policemen, similarly to any other...