Ethical Decision

  As we build upon the content of each unit going forward, we need to look at incidents and events from a possibly different viewpoint. We all have professional and ethical obligations and at times they may intersect as in relationships and work. Using the premise of the legality, professional, and obligatory thought process, analyze the following ethical scenario. Instructions: Scenario: You are a uniformed police officer and with your partner, (who is senior to you), are responding to a “breaking and entering” at a jewelry store. Upon your arrival, you check the store, find evidence of a break and no suspect’s. You cal dispatch to notify the detectives for processing, prints, etc. and to notify the owner. While you are waiting for the detectives to arrive, your partner says to you, “How do you like my new watch?” Knowing he didn’t have one upon entering the store, you ask where he got it. He states he took it from the showcase that was broken, and there are some more if he wants one. He states, it’s a b/e the owner won’t know it was us and blame it on the suspect and his insurance will cover it anyway, so no one will get hurt. If the suspect is caught, he will deny it, but regardless, if he is convicted that won’t affect the outcome, so no one gets hurt, and we get watches. • Would you tell him to put the watch back? Explain. • Would you take a watch? Explain • Would you report him to a supervisor? Explain. • Would you do nothing, whether he alone kept the watch or returned it to the showcase? Explain.