CJ 510 Memo Ethical Dilemma Gratuities for Officers

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Tarleton State University *

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510

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Business

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Apr 3, 2024

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docx

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2

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MEMORANDUM To: Deputy Chief Beshears From: Sgt. Kari Price Date: 7/27/2023 Re: CJ 510, Module Four Memorandum I. INTRODUCTION It has recently come to my attention that several of my coworkers are using the influence of their position to obtain free or discounted items at various establishments in our community. As you are aware there is an established policy in place to try to prevent this from occurring. I understand that this practice is not new, but I have some concerns about the public perception that may be affected. I will address this issue with the officers under my command, but as some of the officers involved are my superiors, I would appreciate it if you could address the department as a whole. To my knowledge there have been no complaints made about this issue by the public. II. MAIN SUBJECT MATTER OF MEMO I feel that this situation creates an ethical dilemma for our department. As officers of the law, we are to "protect and serve" the community (Pollock, 2022). Having departmental employees asking for "gratuities" from the public seems like we are failing to do both. Free items such as coffee and meals may not seem like a "big deal", but it could change the pattern of patrol and given an impression of unequal protection (Pollock, 2022). It could cause the public to lose faith in the department. Unfortunately, we live in an age of cellular video and YouTube. If a member of the public were to capture an officer asking for favors or gratuities it could "go viral" and cause this department irreparable damage. There is also the concern
that members of the community will feel obligated to provide free or reduced services for officers or risk not having police protection. I know that our department's officers would not react this way, but the situation is reminiscent of business owners buying protection in years past. It does not matter if this view is correct. It only matters that it is perceived as correct by the public. I believe that the first thing to do to curb this issue is put out a department wide ethical training program. Hopefully, if the guilty parties are forced to see the damage that this issue could do to the department, they will curtail their activities. If this continues to be an issue then the department's supervisors should reach out to area business and let them know that the warm thoughts are appreciated, but the department's policy does not allow for free or reduced items. The department could also encourage local businesses to donate goods to the department instead of individual officers, but only if the company understands that donations are not required. I would also suggest that an ethics section be added to the new officer orientation. Research has shown that gratuities do impact the behaviors of officers (Pollock, 2022). I appreciate your time in reading this memorandum. I hope we can work together to build this department's reputation to even greater success. References Pollock, J.M. (2022). Ethical Dilemmas and Decisions in Criminal Justice (11 th Edition) Cengage Limited.
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