Scenario: You are a state patrol officer, on duty, who has observed a car unable to stay in its lane. When you pull the car over, you realize that the driver is also a state patrol officer who you know well and whose wife has a friendship with your wife. You have engaged in several social activities with him in the past. He is a very popular and likable colleague in the department.
As you engage with him after pulling him over, you notice that there is a strong scent of alcohol on his breath and that he is slurring his speech. When asked if he had something to drink, he says that he has just come from the retirement party of a popular police chief. He adds that he would be willing to park his car and have his wife pick him up if you could let this error slide, and states, “Law enforcement officers need to support each other.” As a patrol officer, you also have an obligation to enforce traffic laws and maintain public safety.
Decision-making Process
Five key decision-making steps should be undertaken by the police officer in an unusual scenario. Firstly, the key factors of the problem should be defined to make further evaluations. Secondly, as a patrol officer, it is important to balance personal feelings and working responsibilities. Thirdly, the moral side of the problem should be evaluated to understand what ethical solutions can be applied. Fourthly, the moral aspect of the individual who is in trouble should be defined. Lastly, the most professional solutions have to be applied to solve the issue in a favorable way.
Objective Summary
The decision-making in a police field is often dynamic, as the decisions are made in a constantly shifting and unpredictable environment. Professionals in law enforcement are not immune to emotions of distrust. These fact-based sentiments are frequently aimed against their employers (Harman et al., 2019). The police officer has faced a working and personal dilemma. On the one hand, he should help his colleague and friend. On the other hand, his profession requires him to think of public safety first. Therefore, any personal feelings and relationships should be put away when it comes to maintaining the well-being of the surrounding.
Reference
Harman, J. L., Zhang, D., and Greening, S. G. (2019). Basic processes in dynamic decision making: How experimental findings about risk, uncertainty, and emotion can contribute to police decision making. Frontiers in Psychology. Web.