Question 1

Deontological ethics would focus on the duty of the officer when determining whether physical coercion or deception is ethically justified.

Accepted Answer

Deontological ethics is an ethical theory that emphasizes the moral duty or obligation of an individual, regardless of the potential consequences. In the case of law enforcement officers, deontological ethics would prioritize their duty to uphold laws and protect citizens, even if it means using physical coercion or deception in certain situations.

Question 2

Which one of the following incidents is an example of deadly force?

Accepted Answer

The Amadou Diallo incident involved the use of deadly force, where police officers fired 41 shots and killed an unarmed Diallo. The other incidents mentioned did not involve the use of deadly force resulting in death, although they were all cases of police brutality.

Question 3

Research indicates that lack of empathy and antisocial and paranoid tendencies are associated with police officers who use greater than average amounts of force.

Accepted Answer

Multiple studies have found that officers who use excessive force tend to exhibit lower levels of empathy and higher levels of antisocial and paranoid personality traits. These personality traits can contribute to a lack of restraint and a tendency to escalate situations quickly.

Question 4

The use of informants is regulated by CALEA standards.

Accepted Answer

The use of informants is regulated by the CALEA (Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies) standards.

Question 5

The use of physical force to obtain a conviction became illegal with:

Accepted Answer

The case of Brown v. Mississippi, decided by the Supreme Court in 1936, held that the use of physical force to extract a confession violates the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. This ruling established that coerced confessions were inadmissible in court and paved the way for stronger protections for criminal defendants in the United States. Diaz v. Texas (1958) dealt with the exclusion of Mexicans from juries, Bartley v. Montana (1984) concerned the jury selection process, and Miranda v. Connecticut (1966) involved the right to remain silent and have an attorney present during police interrogation. None of these cases specifically addressed the use of physical force to obtain confessions.

Question 6

The U.S.Supreme Court has defined legal force as the force which is objectively reasonable.

Accepted Answer

The U.S. Supreme Court has indeed defined legal force as the force which is objectively reasonable in the case of Graham v. Connor (1989).

Question 7

Telling a complainant that a tinfoil helmet will stop "gamma rays" from "messing up" his brain is an example of a police placebo lie.

Accepted Answer

A police placebo lie involves providing misinformation to a complainant or suspect in order to manipulate their behavior or beliefs. In this case, suggesting that a tinfoil helmet can protect their brain from gamma rays is a false remedy that serves no practical purpose.

Question 8

Which of the following statements about use-of-force statistics is false?

Accepted Answer

The statement that "the vast majority of people believe that excessive force is used fairly frequently" is false. While there is certainly concern about the use of excessive force by police, surveys and polls have shown that the majority of people still trust and support law enforcement.

Question 9

The fact that the suspect had an extensive criminal record would be considered significant in the subjective test for entrapment.

Accepted Answer

The subjective test for entrapment considers the defendant's predisposition to commit the crime, and an extensive criminal record could indicate such predisposition.

Question 10

Legal proscriptions on torture are based on the rationale that it is unethical.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Legal proscriptions on torture are based on...

Question 11

Police are required to divulge the name of the informant on affidavits for search warrants unless there is evidence that revealing the informant's identity would be dangerous.

Accepted Answer

Police are not required to divulge the name of the informant on affidavits for search warrants unless ordered to do so by a judge. There are various factors that a judge considers before ordering the disclosure, and safety concerns for the informant are among them.

Question 12

Which of the following statements about interrogations is true?

Accepted Answer

The "third degree" approach, which involves the use of physical force or coercion, is no longer considered a legitimate interrogation technique. Use of physical force or coercion is prohibited by law and can result in suppression of any evidence obtained through such means. The father confessor approach involves a sympathetic and understanding approach by the interrogator for the defendant to confide in voluntarily.

Question 13

The objective test for entrapment focuses on:

Accepted Answer

The objective test for entrapment focuses on law enforcement involvement in the crime committed, specifically determining whether the officer went beyond what would be expected of a reasonable person and induced the defendant to commit the crime. The defendant's criminal record and moral character are not relevant to the objective test. Similarly, the moral character of the police officer is not the focus of the objective test, though it may be relevant to a subjective test of entrapment.

Question 14

In terms of undercover operations,ethical formalism would most likely:

Accepted Answer

Ethical formalism is a deontological theory that emphasizes the importance of following moral rules and principles, such as the categorical imperative. According to this view, actions are justified only if they can be universalized as a moral law. Undercover operations that deceive innocent people would not pass this test and would thus be condemned by ethical formalism.

Question 15

According to the objective approach,if the state provided an "essential element" that made the crime possible,or if there was extensive and coercive pressure on the defendant to engage in the actions,a court might rule that:

Accepted Answer

If the state provided an "essential element" that made the crime possible, or if there was extensive and coercive pressure on the defendant to engage in the actions, the court might rule that entrapment had occurred. In such a case, the defendant would not be guilty, and the case would be dismissed. Therefore, the correct choice is C.

Question 16

Schoeman,in criticizing the deception in undercover operations,argues from a utilitarian perspective.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Schoeman,in criticizing the deception in undercover operations,argues...

Question 17

The classic father confessor approach to interrogations involves:

Accepted Answer

The classic father confessor approach involves a sympathetic figure for the defendant to confide in. This can help build trust and rapport between the defendant and interrogator, which may increase the likelihood of a confession. Using physical force (A) or a seemingly brutal, threatening officer (C) can lead to false confessions and violates ethical and legal standards. Additionally, using a seemingly uncaring, withdrawn officer (D) can be counterproductive and may cause the defendant to shut down or become uncooperative.

Question 18

The question of whether police should use immoral means to reach a desired moral end is addressed by the term:

Accepted Answer

The Dirty Harry problem refers to the question of whether it is ethical for police to use illegal or immoral means to achieve a desired moral end, such as saving innocent lives. The term comes from the 1971 film "Dirty Harry" in which the protagonist, a police detective, uses aggressive and extrajudicial methods to catch a serial killer. The term has since been used in discussions of police ethics to consider the trade-offs between upholding the law and protecting the public.

Question 19

Despite some high profile cases involving deadly force,which police department actually has a relatively low shooting rate when compared with the size of their force?

Accepted Answer

The New York Police Department (NYPD) has a relatively low shooting rate compared to the size of its force, despite being one of the largest police departments in the United States.

Question 20

Klockars' "Dirty Harry" problem is essentially a question as to the ethical validity of utilitarianism or,more specifically,ends-based policing.

Accepted Answer

Klockars' "Dirty Harry" problem is often used in discussions around the ethical considerations of utilitarianism or ends-based policing. The scenario involves a police officer who may use extreme measures, including violence or even violating the law, to achieve a greater good or prevent a larger harm. The question at the heart of the problem is whether the ends justify the means, or if there are ethical limits to how police officers can pursue justice.

Quiz 6: Police Discretion and Dilemmas