Morality and Human Nature

Determine two (2) strategies that law enforcement organizations can use to ensure that their employees do what is good instead of focusing on what they can get out of a particular situation.

Two strategies that I believe would be sufficient for law enforcement organizations are as follows:

Read the article titled “Ethics Training for Police,” located at http://www.policechiefmagazine.org/magazine/index.cfm?fuseaction=display_arch&article_id=1054&issue_id=112006. Next, compare and contrast which of Kohlberg’s stages of moral development found in the text correspond with those stages outlined in the article as they relate to law enforcement officer ethics training.

1. To Receive Proper Training – Proper training would explain the expectations of the police force concerning morality and integrity.
2. Lead by Example – Higher officials within any particular law enforcement organization should be sure to follow all rules and regulations, as to set an example for fellow officers.

In the text, Kohlberg’s stages of moral development are identified as follows:

These stages correspond to the stages outlined in the article as follows:

1. Pre-Conventional Morality
2. Conventional Morality
3. Post Conventional Morality

Pre-Conventional Morality– Purpose of the Training and Value of the Training

Conventional Morality– Encourage Integrity, Acknowledge the Exercise of Discretion, and Reduce Risk and Liability

Post Conventional Morality– Encourage and Expect Excellent Performance and Complementary Accountability Systems