Non Deontological Ethics In Policing

A law enforcement organization is an agency with an ethical system which must display their allegiance and integrity to the public. And the ethical system in policing context refers to the moral values that are generally accepted as professional standards in policing. According to the Encarta electronic dictionary, ethics can be explained as the study of proper standards and how they affect a system of moral values governing the suitable conduct for a person or group. To further understand the concept of ethics, ethics can be divided into two perspectives or theories, commonly known as deontological (non-consequentialism) and teleological (consequentialism). These two perspectives are important for a police officer to carry out their duties

Hence, a police officer’s duty then is to do the right act as approved by moral standards. Therefore, deontological ethics are duty based. Non-consequentialist ethics are divided into two standpoints; act non-consequentialism and rule non-consequentialism.

Act non-consequentialism or intuitionism is described as the act of following one’s intuition in order to determine the morality in a particular situation. However, rule non-consequentialism explains that people should follow the rules that are the basis of morality where the consequences are given less importance. But there are criticisms for both standpoints.

The use of the teleological perspective for decision making has many strengths and weaknesses. This perspective is practical as it allows us to look at the situation and evaluate the action which would be most tender, the consequence of this action, and the motivation behind the action (Emily D, 2015). And the teleological perspective or approach takes into account the difficulties of the life of a police officer and attempts to base the decision of whatever will result in the consequence. Moreover, it always encourages the individual taking action, to consider both angles before the decision. However, many would feel uncomfortable with the lack of absolutes which are often a

Laws are created by legislatures and the duty of police is to enforce the law impartially to maintain and to promote justice (Moore & Perez, 2012). Therefore, a police officer considers the legal rights and the impact on the lives of the citizen in a situation of arrest or using a lethal force against a citizen. Thus, the police officers cannot have power over citizen against the rule of law and rules are made solely to be followed regardless the consequence.

The core duty of police is to enforce the law and create order in the society. Rules and regulations made and written in the Maldives constitution are for the greater good of everyone including the police officers and the citizens. Hence the relevance of deontological perspective for Maldives Police Service is explained in the context of the rule of law. These rules and regulations are made considering the consequences of an act which provides the solutions for it. Ultimately, ethics is important not so that “we can understand” philosophically, but rather so we can “improve how we live” (Lafollette,