Ethics and police practice

This chapter will explain why ethical practice is so important for law-enforcement practitioners and citizens alike. Within the context of policing practice located in liberal democracies, the rule of law is a foundational tenet of the practitioner approach that is linked to the “social contract” tat exists in contemporary democracies and is reinforced by respect for the dignity and human rights of individuals. This discussion on policing culture at an agency and structural level underlines the importance of codes of conduct and ethics at the institutional level along with individual agency and accountability of all law-enforcement practitioners. This discussion takes place within a law enforcement and government framework and includes the legitimacy of practitioners calibrating the consequent trust and confidence in law enforcement from the various communities they serve. The chapter ends with a description of methods for enhancing practitioner ethics and more effectively managing misconduct and criminal behaviour.