Expert: Loren Stevens - 10/28/2004

Question
what situations have you come face to face with that require morality?

what situations have you came face to face with that required discretion?

Do you think accepting gifts from civilans is a bad thing? explain.

Answer
Hello Melinda,
Interesting questions. What you seem to ask, are for "absolutes" in a world of variables.
Let me preface my responses with points you may want to entertain.
Whenever you discuss/debate abstract matters such as ethics and morales, or anything else, it is paramount to first address two issues:
DEFINITIONS, and ASSUMPTIONS.
When you are comfortable with clarity on those two issues, alot of what you seek will fall into place.
Now, to your questions.
Morality for me, has two faces: personal and professional. My personal morality by definition is "personal" in that several aspects influence this trait. My age, where/when I grew up, Church, schools, family, friends et al. And, much of morality may even evolve as you get older, and things of importance tends to shift, as your understanding and appreciatiations mature.
The other face, is PROFESSIONAL, which is structured at your place of employment. No agency can make contingency plans, or written directives for every possible behavior.
But clearly, fundamental honesty will always be a cornerstone.
Primarily, morality is too abstract to quantify in a police agency, who is mandated to dealing with LAWs which are specific. Morality has biases, the Law is intended to be w/o bias...
Descretion, is often another way of saying "common sense" These areas tend to be involving petit offenses. There is little room for descretion in the more serious crimes...like a sliding scale of importance.
Most cops don't want to be picayune with folks. It causes ill will, and nothing to be gained in terms of "big picture" public safety.
Accepting gifts is usually not a good idea. There will also be written directives with such matters in the agency.
However, things like free lunch/coffee/donuts is something that would take longer to discuss than time permits.
Generally, the officer should graciously turn down free offerings, and should NEVER solicit these things.
But, there will always be exceptions to accepting such things.
Say a retired cop owns a cafe, and will not chage on-duty officers for lunches. He is a citizen, it's his store, and he is free to comp anybody he chooses. He does not accept anything in return. What if the cafe is owned by the widow of a killed cop? You see, you can "what-if" yourself ad nauseum.
The BIGGEST difference, is being offered free coffee, and soliciting it. From there, it can get a bit hazy.
gotta go, hope this helps.
loren