Noble cause corruption follows the teleological model of ethics. The approach emphasizes “good ends” and is a product of police officer “overinvestment” in their work. Police officers believe that in foregoing established legal procedures they will more effectively remove criminals from the street and protect the public from harm. Examples of cause corruption include falsifying reports, planting or the fabrication of evidence, and/or exceeding or abusing lawful authority. In doing so, police officers believe that a desirable ends in achieved (Martinelli, 2006).
Before starting this Assignment, be sure you have read the Martinelli article titled “Unconstitutional Policing.” View the following video segments regarding police practices.
Videos:
NYPD Frisk Program: Noble Cause Corruption
ABC News. (2013, May 1). NYPD's Stop-and-Frisk: Racial Profiling or 'Proactive Policing'? [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jqXeW5C324
Washington State Police Officers Speeding: Ethical Decision Making?
ABC News. (2014, October 10). Washington Police Caught Speeding Past State Troopers [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmVVZRtrY5g
Austin Police Officer Arrest
CBS News. (2016, July 22). Video shows white cop in violent confrontation with black motorist. Retrieved from http://www.cbsnews.com/news/video-shows-white-cop-in-violent-confrontation-with-black-motorist/
Compose a 3–5-page essay that examines the merit of the police action. In your essay, please examine and apply concepts from the course that are relevant to the actions demonstrated by the police officers depicted.
Your essay should accomplish the following:
- Identify whether the behavior is ethical or unethical
- If ethical, what greater purpose or law enforcement responsibility does it serve to accomplish and why?
- If the action is unethical, why is unethical and why does it not serve a law enforcement responsibility or tasking?
- What theory or theories could be applied to either the ethical or unethical action or approach adopted by the police officer(s)?
The completed essay should be a minimum of 3 but no more than 5 pages in length. The essay should examine the action depicted, its merits, and effectively integrate ethical concepts and theory to your analysis. Outside research and APA style are necessary components of the essay.
Submitting Your Assignment
Compose your paper in Word and save your document in the following format: Last name First name Assignment. (Example: SmithJohn Unit 10 Assignment 2). Submit your Assignment by selecting the “Unit 10: Assignment 2” Dropbox by the end of Unit 10.
