MEMORANDUM
To: Deputy Police Chief
From: First Line Supervisor
Date: 4/25/2017
Re: Abuse of Police Power
- INTRODUCTION
Police officers are expected to keep peace and preserve social order. They are granted the freedom to make a judgement based on the law and enforce it. However, some of the police officers especially in my department abuse the power given to them by the law. In some of the observed cases, the officers forget they are the enforcers of the law and instead see themselves as the law. In a case of abuse, the victims are deprived of their freedom, privacy and the life they choose (Williams, 2015). In most of the incidences, the victims are unable to report the abuse case due to fear or perhaps threats from the abusers. The abusers within the law enforcement agencies are likely to be believed by the officers whom the abusers report the case to. As such, the abused people opt to remain quiet. The essence of this memorandum is to report to your office the increasing number of police abuse cases within the community and its environs.
- MAIN SUBJECT MATTER OF MEMO
The police officers are frequently involved in the abuse of power where they use their badge and identification to receive financial gains or receive free or discounted food within the community and from residents near the community. It is against the rules and regulations of the police department for the officers to use their power to manipulate the residents within the society for their beneficial intents. This type of abuse of power has been common for a very long time in the police department, and numerous police ranging from junior to senior positions are involved in the abuse cases. By directly confronting the police officers involved in these unacceptable practices, I may face various challenges such as demotion and break of the relationship with my colleagues. As such, I might face a hard time in the workplace since I will be against one of the ‘easiest’ incomes of my fellow colleagues. On the contrary, failure to tackle the situation will result with continuity of the power abuse which is against the rules and regulations (Pollock, 2017). As a leader, I am expected to ensure transparency of all the practices within the police department and ensure that the safety of the community is assured in that the police officers are not involved in the abuse of their power and freedom.
Abuse of power through beneficial gains by manipulating the residents using the police badge and identification may have a negative implication on the entire police department. According to Williams (2015), the community may lose trust in police forces since they will have a perspective that instead of helping residents, the police officers will manipulate them for their gain. The community may face ethical concerns on whether to trust the police officers or not. It is important to address this issue to help the police department regain its reputation hence lead to appropriate coexistence of the police officers and the residents in the community. I would solve this issue by establishing the facts around the ethical dilemma since no complaint has so far been received from the community. Within my ethical and legal obligations, I would address the issue based on normative theories approach. The virtue ethical theory concentrates on the moral character of a person. Based on this theory, I would take courage and address the issue directly without fear of the repercussions. This would exhibit my virtues even though it would lead to undesirable consequences on my colleagues’ relationship. Based on consequentialism, we are expected to act in ways that result in the best consequences. I would choose to inform my colleagues on the negative effects their power misuse and the negative effects it impacts to the society. Based on this action, the police officers would be enlightened on their legal obligation in serving the society hence avoid the misuse of power.
Reference
Pollock, J. M. (2017). Ethical dilemmas and decisions in criminal justice, (9th ed.). London: Cengage.
Williams, K. (2015). Our enemies in blue: Police and power in America. Chico, CA: AK Press.
