Preview

Loyalty To Public Safety Essay

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
576 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Loyalty To Public Safety Essay
The loyalty to public safety any employee has depends on their job, but there is a minimum baseline. “Do no harm”, derived from the Latin principle, Primum Non Nocere, states that any individual’s well-being is a primary consideration, and individual’s should act in society's best interests. This concept applies to occupations such as law enforcement, in which employees promise to uphold public safety, and strive to protect the public. However, sometimes these promises don’t always follow suit, and is exemplified in certain law enforcement practices and social work.
An example, is shown through one of today’s most important ethical issues, police behavior. A police officer’s inferred loyalty to public safety makes police brutality particularly immoral. The Peelian Principles, as developed by Robert Peel in the early 1800s, defines ethical, consensual policing. The sixth Peel’s Principle states, only the minimum level of force necessary may be ethically used by a police officer. Our appalled reaction to police brutality is exemplified through the aftermath of the McKinney pool party video, that demonstrates the degree to which we expect a police officer to prioritize public safety. Concerning the McKinney
…show more content…
According to the California Supreme Court ruling involving the Tarasoff’s “duty to warn”, is if a patient reports hurting someone or themselves, the therapist has the obligation to inform the police, their (the patient’s) parents, relatives, or friends. Failing to inform the proper authorities might lead to getting seriously hurt or even killed, which, in the end can result in negative consequences. Highly publicized lawsuits can occur, claiming that the therapist did not follow the Tarasoff’s “duty to warn”. A therapist’s obligations under the law to serve and protect individual’s lives overrules the therapist-client confidentiality by the need to protect the

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Tarasoft Case Summary

    • 703 Words
    • 3 Pages

    It helped the patient to not be careful about what they were telling the doctor. Once the Tarasoft case was opened up to the courts the Confidentiality between patient and psychologist was over depending on the conversation. If a patient like Poddar comes in with psychological issues a psychotherapist should always take action. The Tarasoft decision is a California decision that imposes a duty on a therapist to warn the appropriate people or person when he/she becomes aware their patient may present a risk of harm to a person or persons. The decision made by the psychologist was not a good one at all because the women were in danger. The psychologist alerted campus police because he took what his patient said serious but did not inform her or the family. The Psychologist suggested Poddar should be hospitalized due to his mental state of mind. The psychologist should have breached the patient confidentiality once he knew third party was unaware of the patient conversation with him. Poddar was let go because he seemed to be mentally stable. The patient was released back in the public even though the police knew he made a death threat about Tarasoft. The psychologist was told by the director of…

    • 703 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Interoffice Memo

    • 363 Words
    • 2 Pages

    A recent decision in the rehearing of the Tarasoff v. Regents of the University of California case, mandates that not only should mental health professionals and social service workers warn a potential victim of possible harm by their client, but there is also a duty to protect the potential vicitm. This can be carried out through any or all of the following steps:…

    • 363 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Better Essays

    Throughout this essay the writer will be discussing the history of the police. Describing the impact that a gentleman named Sir Robert Peel had on American policing. A look at the relationship between the U.S. government and the policing organizations throughout the United States. Lastly how these relationships may affect police practices today.…

    • 1231 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Sir Robert Peel Paper

    • 685 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Although Sir Peel established these groundbreaking principles for policing, he was not a police officer himself. Sir Peel guided London’s police department with “Peel's Principles of Policing”. The principles that Peel laid out focused on what he believed the core values for being a good police officer were. Sir Peel also introduced two other elements to policing, which became the basis for modern policing: mission statement and strategy. These days, every police department clearly defines and displays their mission and values statements, as well as every department develops effective and efficient strategies.…

    • 685 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Duty to Warn

    • 1515 Words
    • 7 Pages

    The ethical dilemma I wish to explore is The Duty to Warn. This refers to the duty of a counselor, therapist to breach one of the most important bonds between a client and a therapist; the law of confidentiality. The therapist has the right to break confidentiality without the fear of being brought up for legal action. If the therapist believes that the client poses a danger, or is a threat to himself, someone else, or society as a whole, the therapist must decide how serious of a threat the client may be, then if he decides it’s a serious issue, he must notify the person in danger, which would e the third party, or the police, or other people who may be in the position to protect that person, or the other people involved from harm.…

    • 1515 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    In section B.2.a code of ethics, it states that counselor is required to disclose information about a client, who disclose about harming themselves or others (ACA, 2014). In the state of Florida, Florida Statues Section 394.4615 (3)(a) (2016), states that if a patient states they want to harm a person, a counselor is able to release information to warn that individual who is being threatened of harm by the patient. If i determine if the client is a high risk and is a harm to herself, under the Florida Mental Health Act, as a Mental Health Counselor I would be able to Baker Act my client. Under the Florida Statue Section 394.463 (2)(f)(2014), when a client receives involuntary examination, a client is held up to 72 hours, and the only way the Baker Act can be released is by a physician or…

    • 452 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    The Blue Wall of Silence

    • 2893 Words
    • 12 Pages

    Being a police officer is an honorable career. For the majority of the public, a police officer is one of the more respected members of the community because everyone looks up to them to protect their community. The work that police officers do, for the most part, is noble for the reason that they put their life on the line for everyone, every day. There is no doubt a great deal of personal fulfillment that comes from the duties and responsibilities assigned to police officers, because they get to help out in the community. Police officers have a duty to serve and protect and that type of job description can only affect the community in a positive way. We see the way that people can affect their community in the reading by Psychology Professor Howard Gardner et al, “Good Work in Difficult Times.” This essay describes people who do good work and it not only shares the value systems of people who do good work but it shares how that carries over into the community. Additionally, this reading discusses standards, by which professionals ought to adhere too. Being a police officer does not come without challenges that can cause problems with community relations. One of the many challenges, both past and present, facing police departments is police corruption. To further explore the topic of corruption we look the reading entitled, “The Code of Silence” written by senior research experts in the field of criminology and crime prevention, Joycelyn Pollock, Juha Kaariainen, Ahti Laitinen, and Tomi Lintonen, who concede that the most prevalent form of corruption facing our police departments and police administrators is The Blue Wall of Silence. The Blue Wall of Silence is the name used to explain the unity exhibited by police officers in an attempt to limit their co-operation when a police official is accused in the line of duty. Even though the Blue Wall of Silence has arisen out of the understandable need for police officers to be able to…

    • 2893 Words
    • 12 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Police History Paper

    • 1120 Words
    • 5 Pages

    According to one of Peel’s principals, the real key for policing is "The police are the people and the people are the police". Peel believed that prevention of crime could be accomplished without intruding into the lives of citizens. Sir Robert Peel's first principle was that, “The basic mission for which the police exist is to prevent crime and disorder” (Westminster Police Department, 2012)…

    • 1120 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    As law enforcement agencies employ enormous amounts of low-wage employees, police departments stick out for the exclusive stresses and risks related with that type of employment. Every shift an officer works can consist of life-or-death circumstances, with the likelihood of deadly force having to be used on the foundation of split-second judgements. Errors can cause not only the loss of the officer, the suspect, or a civilian eyewitness; it can result in incarceration and legal responsibility in a civil suit. Police officers have to frequently testify under oath in criminal court cases, and devote a great deal of time after their typical shift bringing to an end the necessary paperwork. There, of course, are other professions that consist of…

    • 551 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Brutality

    • 416 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Criminal justice and security agencies are constantly accused of police brutality or exceeding the amount of force needed to subdue the suspect. With what policies and procedures do the officers, security or protective services use to determine the level of force? As (Huseyin, 2009) states society expects law enforcement officers to perform their duties in a professional manner, enforcing laws and maintaining peace within the community. The society also requires peace officers to maintain peace with peaceful means. The use of police force is a legal duty and obligation, but, unfortunately, the practice may be misused or abused by law enforcement officers who do not distinguish between the thin line of legal or essential use and excessive use of force. The ethical decision process of when to increase force comes from some standard training. Training teaches law enforcement that if the officer is in danger of being harmed or potential to harm others then force can be increased.…

    • 416 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Police Officer Interview

    • 3979 Words
    • 114 Pages

    My first interviewee officers jack Davidson, patrolman from Somers point police department. When interviewing Patrolman Davidson, I found the following to be his impressions of the police force in general. Officer Davidson spoke of why ethics and character are important in the field of law enforcement. His response was that ethics and character go hand in hand. In law enforcement it seems that there are so many reasons to do the right thing. The reasons began with public opinion and also should include their influence on the youth who will be growing up to be citizens of the city, state, or country. If a police officer does not behave with good character he is not a good example, and may, in fact, become a bad example for a child to believe is acceptable. To uphold the law, one must be able to look above all the things that could influence them to behave poorly. If an officer allows someone to change their outlook in a negative way, whether it is a criminal, a family member, or even another police officer, then they are not displaying good character. Ethics are as important, if not more important, than character. One can display an incredible character, but when it comes time to follow the rules of ethics, the temptations of simple favors by the law-abiding citizens of the community can sway an officer’s choices, and can cause them to make a poor choice. Even the slightest favor from someone can lead to a dangerous future occurrence. If a citizen provides freebies for a police officer, then the officer is expected to provide special favors for the citizen. This can be expected in forms of protection, additional police presence, or even something disreputable like fixing a ticket, or letting them off with a warning instead of a ticket. Most people do not give things without expecting something in return. When Officer Davidson was asked if he felt that police officers…

    • 3979 Words
    • 114 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Duty to Protect

    • 1397 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Confidentiality between client and therapist could be a risky and tricky. There is no set standard toward the restrictions of its content. It’s morally right to respect and protect the client trusting information but at times it is ethically and legally impossible to keep this information confidential. The duty to warn is that obligated by case law the therapist has to notify the victim or law enforcement of serious threat or harm (Corey, Corey, & Callanan, 2011). “The duty to protect maintains ways to maintain client confidentiality” (Corey, Corey, & Callanan, 2011). The purpose of this paper will be to identify legal history of duty to warn and duty to protect, to identify legal and ethical dilemmas that can arise when breaking confidentiality and how this writer would address such dilemmas.…

    • 1397 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Outline of Law Enforcement

    • 1497 Words
    • 43 Pages

    Every society has rules to go by and laws that must not be broken and along with that is the criminal justice that even gives the criminal rights. Criminals in the United States are to be given their rights and not to have harm to them in any way under the justice system as they may be freed from their prosecution and their case be acquitted if found in their favor if an act of unjust or immoral conduct has been found. Law enforcement professionals must execute justice by upholding the law in an ethical and constitutional manner. “The United States Department of Justice seeks to prevent or resolve community conflicts and tensions arising from actions, policies, and practices perceived to be discriminatory on the basis of race, color, or national origin (CRS National Office).” Every officer must follow and obey the law in and out of vested uniform. The Constitution of the United States are most relevant to the ethical standards of law enforcement professionals by the prohibitions against warrantless search and seizure are parts of the United States Constitution which are relevant to the ethical standards of law enforcement. Law enforcement professionals ensure that they uphold the Constitution by following Law Enforcement Oath of Honor this is recommended as by the International Association of Chiefs of Police as symbolic statement of commitment to ethical behavior: “On my honor, I will never betray my badge, my integrity, my character, or the public trust. I will always have the courage to hold myself and others accountable for our actions. I will always uphold the constitution to my community and the agency I serve.” (The law enforcement code of ethics) Law enforcement professionals use the social justice principles of equality, solidarity, and human rights to build a more just society by it advocates as it is based on the principles of solidarity and…

    • 1497 Words
    • 43 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Better Essays

    Police Reform

    • 1214 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Stoughton contends that a more fundamental reform is necessary: the core principles of policing need to be adjusted to change how officers view their job and their relationship with the community. The article also contributes to the discussion by arguing that police reform requires changing officers’ attitudes about policing itself. A few things the article stated was to encourage rightful policing, the value system that guides officer decision making must encourage individual officers to continually reconcile the short-term goals of policing, such as order maintenance and crime response, with the long-term goals, particularly improving police/community relations. To that end, law enforcement culture should seek to instill in officers the priorities of a Guardian: protecting civilians from unnecessary indignity and harm. Part I describes the evolution of policing, tracing the profession’s guiding principles and distinguishing characteristics from the world’s first modern public police agency. Part II introduces the Warrior principles that have permeated modern policing and discusses the effect those principles have had on the profession. It first describes the positive attributes of the Warrior that policing so highly values: honor, duty, resolve, and a willingness to engage in righteous violence. It then explores the psychological and practical appeal of the Warrior concept, and it describes how the Warrior imagery and rhetoric have become ubiquitous in law enforcement. Part III offers an alternative set of guiding principles in the form of Guardian policing. Guardian policing has enjoyed a surge in popularity among some police leaders, and Guardian rhetoric has appeared in the report issued by President Obama’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing, popular media stories, and articles intended for a law enforcement audience. We previously as a class readied and discussed as wrote analysis on the 21st Century of Policing and the panel…

    • 1214 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Sir Robert Peel believes that to reduce crime, the community needed to help law enforcement bring criminals to justice (Principle 3). One main concern was that police conduct themselves in a professional manner and protect the communities (Principle 1&9). Sir Robert Peel knew to gain the trust of the communities, he needs the criminal elements to accept the consequences of his or her crimes so Robert Peel wants police just like the police of today to use strategies to make certain they exhausted every possibility before terminating an offender’s life (Principal 5). Police today are encourage to warn every citizen they are bound by law just like everybody else. In other words, no one is above the (Principal6). By combining all these nine principals of Sir Robert Peels, the police department will be a stronger department and also organized as well. Police will have dome type of structure in the department to help them gain confidence in doing their jobs well, gain the respect of the communities, reduce crime, and bring the criminal to justice.…

    • 326 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays