Moral Dilemma Question

[TXCharlie]

Basic gist... they did a medium screw up.. lied... were asked, lied... were shown video... lied... and er um.. resigned.. left the team room in t-shirts

That sounds like they shoulda been 'Resigned' just on the basis of being dumbasses.

[Five-0]

That sounds like they shoulda been 'Resigned' just on the basis of being dumbasses.

Chuck you are answering questions in an area where you should not. I think the question was posted here so the public can see the heart felt answers of leos, and not to be an editorial piece.

[mack]

Me personally, can't lie for anyone or for or to myself. I value my honesty and can't abide dishonesty in others. My decision would have to be that I would lose the job and be able to live with myself.

[Shoestring]

Everyone thinks that they will always do the right thing, but to each and everyone of us, the right thing is different. Its hard to say what will happen when you are Johnny on the spot. Take a hard look at yourself and your values, and remember, no matter what, you always will have to answer to yourself and the questions in your head after everything is done, and if you can live with yourself with what you did that will be something you have to deal with. I want my son to be proud of his father, and a wife that is proud to be married to me and my values that I live for are hopefully values my family will also live for.

[ryan36002]

I would like to see a clear example on this one. I can't think of a situation where legal activities would be considered immoral. I voted for keeping the job. Not that I make a habit of immoral behavior but I can be forgiven if that line is crossed. Push comes to shove I will do everything LEGALLY acceptable to keep my job.

[phantasm]

I can't think of a situation where I would have to choose something moral that would cost me my job.

[samurai361]

I can't think of anything that would cause me to lose my job, but I've been asked to do things or pressured to do things that ran contrary to my sense of right and wrong.

One example involves an accident where I am the third car back during an emergency response. There's a dog leg curve, and I didn't want to run into the cars in front of me if they hit something, so I backed off. As it turned out, they did hit something. The citizen naturally stated he had a green light.

The officers (who are both friends of mine) gave their statements. The first said he thought the light was green, but wasn't sure (I don't like "not sure" answers. You need to be sure before you pull into the intersection) The second officer was quite animated, and insisted I issue sommonses. The accident damaged the in car recorder, so I couldn't view it onscene. I got my LT to get me the tape (She needed it anyway) and I looked at it @ HQ. The officers did have a green light and I did what I had to do.

Both of those guys were pissed at me for quite a while, but if I'd half assed that accident investigation and backed them up and been wrong, whose ass would it have been? I think I did the right thing, and I think taking action before having all the facts would have been foolish.

It's not that I thought they were lying. I just think in order to be professional, you have to set personal feelings aside and do what's right. Failing to thoroughly investigate something gives the appearance that we are deliberately looking out for somebody who was wrong or that we are incompetent. Whatever failings of character I possess, a lack of integrity is not one of them.

[lewisipso]

Between morals and job I chose morals. I do what I do and I don't give a shit what anyone thinks.

[Xiphos]

Both of those guys were pissed at me for quite a while, but if I'd half assed that accident investigation and backed them up and been wrong, whose ass would it have been? I think I did the right thing, and I think taking action before having all the facts would have been foolish.

That's the key right there. I don't see how they could be mad at you for doing your job correctly and making a solid case against the citizen.

[Big Al]

I will do what is right as I am firm believer in it. I doubt that I would loose my job, as doing what is right if easy to defend.

[ex401mp]

I am with Big Al on this. All I have is my word and my integrity and I will not forfeit those things.

[CTR man]

I will do what is right as I am firm believer in it. I doubt that I would loose my job, as doing what is right if easy to defend.

Hence this phrase in my signature that I try to live by.


Choose The Right. When you're doing whats right, then you have nothing to worry about.

[LitchRes]

Do the right thing, at the right time, in the right way. Live by that, you will have few issues and the ones that do arise are easily defended !

[GhostCop]

Doing the right thing often times is not easy but its always right.

If doing the right thing put me in a situation where my job was on the line than I guess I would have to move on. Trust me when I say that I would not make it easy on anyone that wanted to end my job or my career for doing the right thing. The agency would have a hell of a fight on their hands. Being new here (but definetely not new to law enforcement), it does my heart good to see so many say without hesitation that they would lay their job on the line for what is right. This country needs cops with high moral standards, especially in this day and age. Nothing pisses me off more than cops who give us all a black eye because of terrible judgement.

That having been said I think you know where I stand. However, I tend to disagree that deceiving a suspect is immoral. It certainly is not wrong in the eyes of the supreme court. Leading a suspect to believe that you know more than you actually do or using props or other methods to deceive them is a technique that is taught in most good interview schools. Lying to a fellow cop, an administrator or in a court room is immoral. Lying to or deceiving a suspect, within the scope of whats legal, is simply good police work. Thats just one mans opinion however.

[keith720]

I feel that I only truly answer to 2-people: God and myself. If I don't like what I see looking back at me in the mirror, then there is someting wrong.

[Rhino]

To know what is right and not to do it is the worst cowardice. -Confucius

I don't think any LEO worth his salt should be job scared. I found this one, I can find another one.

[zpd307]

this is definately a situation by situation decision. but with a wife and two boys, and another on the way in july............ hhhhmmm, with this economy. i would like to keep the house and food on the table. law enforcement is full of politics... enough said.

[Xiphos]

this is definately a situation by situation decision. but with a wife and two boys, and another on the way in july............ hhhhmmm, with this economy. i would like to keep the house and food on the table. law enforcement is full of politics... enough said.

I think most agency's would be happy to hire an officer with integrity. Especially after the news stories about the agency that fired an officer because he wouldn't follow immoral orders.

[zpd307]

i have had numerous consultations from my chief about incidents that were done right, but caused commotions with our anti police city council. it is getting old. it is now easier to sit back and do nothing. the days of making a difference are long gone. i am not condoning illegal acts by any means!!

[gomets11]

I'm kinda confused...

I can't really see how doing what is 'right & moral' can cost you your job in this profession...isn't our job pretty much to do what is 'right & moral' hence, the 'serve & protect' on the side of most police cars...

maybe someone can explain this to me...