Case Analysis
In recent years, the police have received an increasing number of reports of their subordinates exceeding their authority. In particular, this has manifested itself in the issue of excessive force used against a civilian arrestee. The paper focuses on the violation reported by the US Department of Justice in their press release on November 18, 2021.
According to the case, a police officer assaulted an arrestee and inflicted severe injuries, including a broken nose and shoulder, cuts, and loss of consciousness (U.S. Department of Justice, 2021). This case can be considered an ethical violation because there was an act of misconduct against an already arrested civilian (violation of the ethics of moving after arrest) and the use of force in general (ethics of violence). Legally, it violated the Bill of Rights, which guarantees civil rights to individuals who are arrested.
It can be assumed that the violation was caused by the pronounced tendency to aggression observed among police officers. The level of aggression and hostility exhibited by police officers is, on average, significantly higher than that of the general public (van Reemst et al., 2022). This means that because of the violence observed, one would expect to see the development of problems with the morals and values of police officers. For men, the level is, on average, higher than for women (van Reemst et al., 2022).
In addition, it can be assumed that the officer’s perception of their actions was influenced by the environment within the law enforcement agency. Speaking outside of this realm, the surrounding community, including family, medical, and social services, likely did not monitor Officer Maynard’s condition before the offense. Given the evidence of bragging, it is reasonable to assume that the former officer had psychological issues.
The investigation established the officer’s guilt stemming from a violation of not only the code of ethics but also legal standards. As a result of the investigation, Officer Maynard was found guilty and sentenced to 9 years in prison and 3 years of parole (U.S. Department of Justice, 2021). Such a case is thought-provoking regarding how police deal with the daily pressures of violence-related factors. Committing violence as a consequence of difficult work is a challenging aspect of investigating cases involving police excesses.
Compliance with the Code of Ethics
A code of ethics in a police department or any other law enforcement agency is a standard for delivering services and actions that govern how they are conducted. The code sets the agency’s policy, regulating communication, case management, and work procedures. When the code of ethics is violated, as in this case study, a fundamental issue arises: disregarding the need to protect the honor and dignity of another person.
First, the code of ethics should be transparent and understandable to all employees, as clarity in the policy’s writing can facilitate its assimilation. Second, employees should be aware of and follow the code; this can be achieved through regular knowledge checks and periodic performance appraisals. Effective practices in assessing performance quality include conducting a closed-ended survey with potential situations in which the code of ethics should be applied.
In the discussed case, a similar situation arises because the issue of using violence in detention is a controversial topic (U.S. Department of Justice, 2021). Coaching officers and training on handling cases like this will make it easier to follow the policy. Training programs will provide an opportunity to train officers promptly and teach them how to make informed decisions based on ethical principles.
An essential criterion for evaluating policy compliance is how coworkers perceive each other. According to Westmarland and Conway (2020), employees often do not report the misconduct or unethical actions of coworkers due to reasons such as fear or sympathy. Administrators must develop a leadership approach that does not intimidate staff. The administrator’s job is to establish a support system and team bonding that prevents unethical behavior from being forgotten or forgiven without addressing the employee. The moment of correction should be paramount, not just the fact of punishment itself.
Communication with Subordinates
The support system and implementation of psychological support are the most relevant and practical tools for regulating employee behavior. According to Geoffrion et al. (2023), psychological support services and immediate response to acute stress have positive dynamics. It can reduce the risk of developing aggressive behavior, as in the studied incident. Additionally, such psychological services should train staff to interact effectively with one another and manage stress.
An important aspect is the nature of interactions: Marshall et al. (2021) note that illiterate leaders can contribute to the development of a culture of silence. In this regard, communication within an institution should be open and two-way, with horizontal and vertical links established to fulfill assignments in a methodical, supportive, and considerate manner. The integration of ethics into everyday communication, such as eliminating sexism and racism, will have a positive impact on the outcome of psychological support.
Influence of Outside Organizations and Employees
Outside organizations and employees can influence the ethical conduct of police officers. Additionally, an officer’s culture and environment can affect their behavior. It is the administrator’s job to manage this influence through an external threat assessment. This assessment is based on societal, political, and social events.
To avoid excessive influence, administrators must recognize and identify sources that integrate into the organization (Westmarland & Conway, 2020). The best way to identify this is through tracking internal and fieldwork, as well as employee action reports. Employees must report their actions within the institution to prevent misconduct and demonstrate the need for action.
References
Geoffrion, S., Leduc, M. P., Bourgouin, E., Bellemare, F., Arenzon, V., & Genest, C. (2023). A feasibility study of psychological first aid as a supportive intervention among police officers exposed to traumatic events. Frontiers in Psychology, 14.
Marshall, R. E., Milligan-Saville, J., Petrie, K., Bryant, R. A., Mitchell, P. B., & Harvey, S. B. (2021). Mental health screening amongst police officers: Factors associated with under-reporting of symptoms. BMC Psychiatry, 21(1), 135.
U.S. Department of Justice. (2021). Press release: Former police officer found guilty of violating an arrestee’s civil rights by using excessive force. Office of Public Affairs.
van Reemst, L., Fischer, T., & Weerman, F. (2022). Aggression against police officers and behavior toward citizens: Reciprocal influence or common causes? Frontiers in Psychology, 13.
Westmarland, L., & Conway, S. (2020). Police ethics and integrity: Keeping the ‘blue code’ of silence. International Journal of Police Science & Management, 22(4), 378–392.