Knowing What Is Write from Wrong
With the creation of civilizations came the creation of law, which are enforced by police officers. Police have always been viewed by society as protectors of the law or the people, which is a lot of responsibility and power put in the hands of mortals. Police officers are humans and cannot expect to be perfect. The stories “A Hanging” and “Shooting an Elephant” by George Orwell, an English novelist, journalist and policeman himself, gives the insight into the internal conflict that officers face. This essay will compare the ideal conduct expected from an officer and the realities emphasized in the stories. Policemen have big responsibilities and it is hard for them to express their complete morals and ethics because they always conflict with public views that are diverse, and imperialistic. There will be many occasions when the officers' ethics will be tested and it depends on the officers not to let their own ethics to become weak throughout his or her career. Many officers become caught in situations in which they have to make ethical decision, and it again depends on the ethics of that officer whether he or she is making the right decision or not.
The issue of having “perfect” morals and ethics is one of the many conflicts for policemen. Society expects police officers to know right from wrong, and to do the correct action; however officers also have to act according to what the law states is right. As Orwell’s recalls in “Shooting an Elephant” he knows the elephant was [on rage and was calms] but since it killed and injured people, he had to kill the elephant. “Besides, legally I had done the right thing, for a mad elephant has to be killed, like a mad dog,” (Orwell, 77). Orwell’s duties went against his morals; yet it was correct according to the law, the situation which to this day is a huge obstacle for officers. In the article “Ethics Training in Law Enforcement Agencies,” Heather Wyatt-Nichol and George Franks state that “As Public servants, law
The issue of having “perfect” morals and ethics is one of the many conflicts for policemen. Society expects police officers to know right from wrong, and to do the correct action; however officers also have to act according to what the law states is right. As Orwell’s recalls in “Shooting an Elephant” he knows the elephant was [on rage and was calms] but since it killed and injured people, he had to kill the elephant. “Besides, legally I had done the right thing, for a mad elephant has to be killed, like a mad dog,” (Orwell, 77). Orwell’s duties went against his morals; yet it was correct according to the law, the situation which to this day is a huge obstacle for officers. In the article “Ethics Training in Law Enforcement Agencies,” Heather Wyatt-Nichol and George Franks state that “As Public servants, law