Video Analyses Assignment

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).

Martinelli, T. (2006). Unconstitutional policing: The ethical challenges of dealing with noble cause corruption. The Police Chief. Retrieved from http://www.policechiefmagazine.org/magazine/index.cfm?fuseaction=display&article_id=1025&issue_id=102006

Before starting this Assignment, be sure you have read the Martinelli article. 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.

SAMPLE SOLUTION

Video Analyses

Noble Cause Corruption Thomas Martinelli defines noble cause corruption as the offenses committed when the police officers give too much care to their work and focus on the good ends (Martinelli, 2006). It is the corruption that occurs when they believe that in spite of their actions being unconstitutional, the outcomes will be good. Such acts like fabricating evidence, falsifying reports and general abuse of the authority given to the police are considered noble cause corruption. The worrying trend is that the police do not define these acts as corruption; instead, they rationalize them as being part of the job description. The law enforcement officers regard corruption for personal gain as a serious crime than the noble cause behavior because it appears to benefit the society. However, Martinelli believes that when such passion for safe communities and streets is unchecked, it results in police crime and violation of civil rights of the citizenry (Martinelli, 2006). It has been observed over the years that even the good and honest officers execute their duties overzealously…