Question 1

Utilitarianism and the "ethic to live by" suggest that in deciding whether or not to make an arrest, officers must consider
A) the view of bystanders and witnesses to the incident
B) the long-term interests of justice
C) the desire for promotion
D) whether the media is watching

Accepted Answer

According to utilitarianism and the "ethic to live by," the long-term interests of justice should be considered when making decisions, such as whether or not to make an arrest. The other options, such as the views of bystanders, the desire for promotion, or the presence of the media, should not be the primary factors in making an arrest decision.

Question 2

The Law Enforcement Code of Ethics
A) only fits Kant's ethical formalism
B) only fits Mill's utilitarianism
C) fits both Kant's ethical formalism and Mill's utilitarianism
D) fits neither Kant's ethical formalism and Mill's utilitarianism

Accepted Answer

The Law Enforcement Code of Ethics can be said to fit both Kant's ethical formalism and Mill's utilitarianism. This is because the code emphasizes principles such as honesty, respect, and responsibility, which are consistent with Kant's emphasis on universal moral principles. At the same time, the code also emphasizes the importance of protecting the community and ensuring public safety, which is consistent with Mill's utilitarian emphasis on maximizing overall happiness and wellbeing. Therefore, it can be said that the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics is compatible with both of these ethical frameworks.

Question 3

Kania suggested that the acceptance of small gratuities by police officers might be a
A) beginning of a beautiful friendship
B) capital offense
C) good thing
D) felony

Accepted Answer

The word "gratuities" suggests that these are small, voluntary tips given to police officers, rather than bribes or larger payments made to influence their behavior. Kania is suggesting that accepting these small gratuities could be a good thing, perhaps improving the relationship between police officers and the public. Neither beginning a beautiful friendship nor a felony seems applicable, and capital offense implies a very serious crime which seems unlikely given the context.

Question 4

When police officers conduct themselves as rule utilitarians, they make decisions
A) that may differ from time to time
B) that may differ from place to place
C) that may differ from circumstance to circumstance
D) all of the above

Accepted Answer

Rule utilitarianism involves following rules that generally lead to the greatest good for the greatest number of people, but there may be situations where deviating from those rules would lead to even greater good. Therefore, police officers who conduct themselves as rule utilitarians may make different decisions based on the specific circumstances at hand, as well as the context of the time and place they are in.

Question 5

Critics point out that the differences between the code's dictates and the "real world" of police work are great. Discuss both the strengths and the weaknesses of the code's lack of realism.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Critics point out that the differences between...

Question 6

The Law Enforcement Code of Ethics uses rule utilitarianism when it says
A) I must keep my private life unsullied as an example
B) I must be honest in thought and deed
C) my badge is a symbol of public faith
D) all of the above

Accepted Answer

The Law Enforcement Code of Ethics mentions multiple moral principles, including keeping a clean private life as an example, being honest in thought and deed, and considering one's badge as a symbol of public trust. These principles reflect a utilitarian approach, as they seek to maximize the overall benefit to society by promoting good behavior and ethical conduct among law enforcement officers.

Question 7

Pollock argues that the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics
A) is irrelevant to the realities of most officers
B) is detrimental to its own validity and credibility due to the wide disparity between itself and actual behavior
C) specifies perfect behavior
D) all of the above

Accepted Answer

Pollock argues that the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics is seen as irrelevant by most officers due to the wide disparity between the ideal behaviors it specifies and the actual behavior of officers, making it detrimental to its own validity and credibility.

Question 8

Because police officers are flawed human beings, we should
A) expect them to admit it's possible to live up to the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics all of the time
B) expect them to try to live up to the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics only a small portion of the time
C) expect them to actually live up to the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics all of the time
D) expect them to try to live up to the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics all of the time

Accepted Answer

While it is true that police officers are flawed human beings and may not always be able to live up to the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics, it is important to set high expectations for their behavior. By expecting them to try to live up to the code all of the time, they will be held accountable for their actions and encouraged to continually strive for ethical behavior. This can ultimately lead to improved trust and respect between law enforcement and the communities they serve.

Question 9

Ethical perspectives discussed in the text include
A) Kant's Ethical Formalism
B) Mill's Utilitarianism
C) an ethic to live by
D) all of the above

Accepted Answer

The text discusses all three ethical perspectives: Kant's Ethical Formalism, Mill's Utilitarianism, and an ethic to live by. Therefore, the best choice is D.

Question 10

Focusing on the specific circumstances of individual incidents, police officers, operating as u tilitarians, have to acknowledge that what is fair, just, and (even) legal will
A) always be the same
B) usually be exactly the same
C) never be quite the same
D) none of the above

Accepted Answer

The circumstances of each incident can vary greatly, which means that what is fair, just, and legal may not always be the same. Police officers must adapt and make decisions that are appropriate for the specific situation at hand.

Question 11

The Law Enforcement Code of Ethics fits Kant's ethical formalism when it
A) says that all laws should be enforced
B) says that all laws should be enforced equally
C) says that police officers should not accept gifts
D) says that police officers can accept small gifts

Accepted Answer

The answer of The Law Enforcement Code of Ethics fits...

Question 12

The Law Enforcement Code of Ethics fits
A) a specific or practical level type of code
B) a general statement of principles type of code
C) an aspirational or idealistic type of code
D) none of the above

Accepted Answer

The Law Enforcement Code of Ethics is an aspirational or idealistic type of code, as it outlines broad principles and values that law enforcement officers should strive to uphold, rather than specific guidelines for behavior or practical procedures.

Question 13

Consider once again the criticism that the code is too vague. What sorts of pronouncements might you include in such a code if you were to make it more specific? Would that make for a better code? What utility would such a code have that the existing code lacks?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Consider once again the criticism that the...

Question 14

The question presented to police officer candidates, "What would you do if you stopped a drunk driver and found that it was a friend of yours?" presents
A) an ethereal dilemma
B) an environmental dilemma
C) an ethical dilemma
D) an ethical diorama

Accepted Answer

This is an ethical dilemma because the situation involves the conflict between the officer's duty to uphold the law and the duty to his/her friend. The officer must make a decision that balances these two conflicting obligations.

Question 15

Write an essay engaging this topic: Some say that the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics is a classic example of utopian platitudes. We often hear from "the good ol' boys" that today's advanced education of police officers and this code too are unrealistic exercises that waste the time of the police. Worse, some of the good ol' boys suggest that taking such "book learning" seriously can actually be dangerous. What do they mean? Do you agree or disagree? Why? What might you say to a good ol' boy if you could discuss this with him? (Instructors: Have your class bring their essays for reflection and analysis and then lead them in a discussion and/or debate about this classic, contemporary argument.)

Accepted Answer

The answer of Write an essay engaging this topic: Some...

Question 16

When it comes to the two types of utilitarianism, the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics includes
A) only rule utilitarianism
B) only act utilitarianism
C) both rule and act utilitarianism
D) neither rule nor act utilitarianism

Accepted Answer

The Law Enforcement Code of Ethics includes both rule and act utilitarianism. This is because the code includes both specific rules and ethical principles that guide the behavior of law enforcement officers, which corresponds to rule utilitarianism. At the same time, the code also emphasizes the importance of assessing the consequences of specific actions in order to determine the best course of action, which corresponds to act utilitarianism.

Question 17

The Law Enforcement Code of Ethics
A) encompasses an important set of principles
B) defines an ideal conceptualization of what a police officer ought to be
C) sets up a goal toward which all honest, hardworking, dedicated professionals can aim
D) all of the above

Accepted Answer

The Law Enforcement Code of Ethics includes an important set of principles that define an ideal conceptualization of what a police officer ought to be, and sets up a goal toward which all honest, hardworking, dedicated professionals can aim. Therefore, all of the above options are correct.

Question 18

Discuss the text's example of confronting a drunk driving friend while on duty. What would you do? What should you do? Apply Kant, Mill, and our ethic to live by to the dilemma presented to you by the competing duties to "stick by a friend" and "to apply the law justly."

Accepted Answer

The answer of Discuss the text's example of confronting a...

Question 19

The Law Enforcement Code of Ethics includes variable principles, such as
A) safeguard lives and property
B) protect the innocent, weak, and peaceful
C) maintain courage in the face of danger
D) all of the above

Accepted Answer

The Law Enforcement Code of Ethics includes all of the principles listed in choices A, B, and C. Therefore, the best choice is D, which includes all of them.

Question 20

Read and discuss the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics, taking particular note of how vague its pronouncements are. What does it tell us about how to act as police officers and what does it leave to our own imaginations and ethical perspectives?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Read and discuss the Law Enforcement Code...

Quiz 14: The Law Enforcement Code of Ethics

Utilitarianism and the "ethic to live by" suggest that in deciding whether or not to make an arrest, officers must consider

The Law Enforcement Code of Ethics

Kania suggested that the acceptance of small gratuities by police officers might be a

When police officers conduct themselves as rule utilitarians, they make decisions

Critics point out that the differences between the code's dictates and the "real world" of police work are great. Discuss both the strengths and the weaknesses of the code's lack of realism.

The Law Enforcement Code of Ethics uses rule utilitarianism when it says

Pollock argues that the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics

Because police officers are flawed human beings, we should

Ethical perspectives discussed in the text include

Focusing on the specific circumstances of individual incidents, police officers, operating as u tilitarians, have to acknowledge that what is fair, just, and (even) legal will

The Law Enforcement Code of Ethics fits Kant's ethical formalism when it

The Law Enforcement Code of Ethics fits

Consider once again the criticism that the code is too vague. What sorts of pronouncements might you include in such a code if you were to make it more specific? Would that make for a better code? What utility would such a code have that the existing code lacks?

The question presented to police officer candidates, "What would you do if you stopped a drunk driver and found that it was a friend of yours?" presents

When it comes to the two types of utilitarianism, the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics includes

The Law Enforcement Code of Ethics

Discuss the text's example of confronting a drunk driving friend while on duty. What would you do? What should you do? Apply Kant, Mill, and our ethic to live by to the dilemma presented to you by the competing duties to "stick by a friend" and "to apply the law justly."

The Law Enforcement Code of Ethics includes variable principles, such as

Read and discuss the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics, taking particular note of how vague its pronouncements are. What does it tell us about how to act as police officers and what does it leave to our own imaginations and ethical perspectives?