Criminal Justice Ethics (for Henry)

Identify the Ethical and Legal Issues Presented in This ScenarioEthical issues presented are honesty and nepotism while the legal issues presented is ignorance of law. According to the information given in the scenario, the deputy chief was not supposed to accept gratuities or discounts, half-priced meal not even free cup of coffee from the store owner. According to the scenario, the store owner was heading home at around 3:30 a.m the same time deputy chief with his officers were on patrol. The store owner pulls over his car which had gone through a red light and calls the deputy chief by his name to disperse the attention of the officers and be recognized as best friend of deputy chief.

The criminal justice professional began seriously to examine ethics and police officer misconduct immediately after the store owner mentioned the name of the deputy chief. This made his officers believe that they knew each other from before. The store owner walks out of the car courageously as if he had committed no offence, shouts the name of deputy chief to signify officers that they were friends (Souryal, 2010).

Over the years, criminal justice has been declining in a very expedient way. Fifty years ago, this situation was worse, because Police officers used to accept bribery from different corners. Twenty-five years ago, the situation could be somehow better because as days go by, our society keeps on changing due to the good leadership. Then, ten years ago, this situation improved to the maximum. Dishonesty has been terminated and actions are taken against any person doing the act in case one is found taking bribes, he or she faces the consequences.

One of the factors that have contributed to evolution of criminal justice through out the recent history is nepotism and racism. Nepotism is a favoritism granted to relatives and friends regardless of the merits. The most important issue according to the scenario is nepotism. This has been a great concern because in most countries it has been growing at a higher rate. In this situation, one is supposed to impose fines and huge remedies to people who participate in nepotism and it should be a lesson to people who practice in nepotism in the society.

Assuming that I was the deputy chief, and the store owner, who is my friend, happens to commit the offence mentioned in the scenario, I would make him face consequences for ignoring the law, as it is the greater offence. In addition to this situation, I would order the store owner to accompany me to the police station, and report the matter to the officer in charge of such cases, and make him an example to others (Banks, 2004).

If I was to ticket the store owner, then I think my colleague will not be happy with such actions, and the store owner may end up reporting both of us to the officer in charge, which may lead to my job dismissal. As the deputy chief, I will address the responses accordingly and be fair enough. This will ensure nepotism is terminated.

References

Banks, C. (2004). Criminal justice ethics: Theory and practice. Retrieved

from http://whatiscriminaljustice.wordpress.com/

Souryal, S. (2010). Ethics in Criminal Justice: In Search of the Truth. Retrieved

from http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11154724-ethics-in-criminal-justice

from Connie