Ethics as defined by Pollock (2014) is “the discipline of determining good and evil and defining moral duties” (p.6). This particular definition of ethics can be refined even further as professional ethics; due to discussing later on different codes of conduct and ethics for the criminal justice system and criminal justice professionals; especially law enforcement officials (Pollock, 2014). Ethics is especially important within the public servant perspective of law enforcement officials’ due to the many implications that arise in the criminal justice system in regards to ethics. ISSUES OF ETHICS IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE Most of the ethical issues that arise in the criminal justice system have to do with law enforcement officials’ ethical training …show more content…
Primary responsibilities highlighted are: police service (as public servants), protecting people and citizen rights by adhering to laws, the Constitution and its Amendments, and avoiding the use of excessive force. Confidentiality, not accepting gratuities’ and cooperation with other agencies when seeking justice for corruption is also part of the conducts that are mandated. These codes emphasize officers’ accountability and responsibility of continuing growth with knowledge in the law enforcement industry in order to increase their professional efficiency (Cawthray, Prenzler & Porter, …show more content…
Stating “No law enforcement official may inflict, instigate or tolerate any act of torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment” (Cawthray, Prenzler & Porter, 2013, p.197). The U.N.’s , “Declaration on the Protection of All Persons from Being Subjected to Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment” declares severe before including pain and suffering in it’s provisions (Cawthray, Prenzler & Porter, 2013). This vague definition left open much ethical exploitation regarding torture actions that contradicts the U.N.’s “Declaration of Human Rights”. Regardless, the IACP has no reference on the subject of torture in their codes of conduct (Cawthray, Prenzler & Porter, 2013). The IACP also has no ethical code about medical needs. The U.N. under article six states “Law enforcement officials shall ensure the full protection of the health of persons in their custody and, in particular, shall take immediate action to secure medical attention whenever required” (OHCHR,