Writing a paper that identifies, summarizes, and applies a published code of ethics for your profession (Police Officer). The paper will include 2-3 pages of content, a title page and reference page, for a paper that is 4- to 5-pages in total length.
• The paper should consist of an introduction, body (points below), and a conclusion.
o Identify your profession, and a professional code of ethics for your profession.
o Summarize at least three main points of the code, and how they apply to your career.
o Explain the benefits of a code of ethics with two specific examples
o Discusses how the chosen code of ethics can guide logical decision-making and provides two specific examples.
o Demonstrate how the code of ethics can be applied to a specific ethical issue that could arise in your profession.
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Title: Upholding Integrity: A Code of Ethics for Police Officers
Introduction
As a profession that holds significant responsibility and authority, police officers are guided by a strict code of ethics to ensure professionalism, integrity, and ethical conduct in their roles. This paper will explore and apply a published code of ethics for police officers, focusing on its relevance, benefits, and application in real-world scenarios.
Identification of Profession and Professional Code of Ethics
Profession: Police Officer
Professional Code of Ethics: The International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Law Enforcement Code of Ethics.
Summary of Three Main Points and Application to the Career
1. Integrity: Police officers must conduct themselves with integrity and maintain the highest standards of honesty and ethical behavior. This principle is crucial in fostering public trust and confidence in law enforcement.
2. Accountability: Officers are accountable for their actions and decisions, both on and off duty. They must uphold the law impartially and take responsibility for their conduct, ensuring transparency and trust within the community.
3. Respect: Police officers must respect the constitutional rights of all individuals and treat them with dignity and fairness. Respect for diversity, cultural sensitivity, and human rights is essential in promoting positive police-community relations.
Benefits of a Code of Ethics
1. Professionalism: A code of ethics establishes clear guidelines for professional behavior, promoting a culture of accountability and excellence within law enforcement agencies.
2. Public Trust: By adhering to ethical standards, police officers build trust with the community, enhance legitimacy, and reduce the risk of misconduct allegations or abuses of power.
Guiding Logical Decision-Making with Examples
1. Example 1 – Use of Force: When faced with a situation requiring the use of force, adherence to the code of ethics guides officers to apply force judiciously, proportionately, and in line with departmental policies and legal standards.
2. Example 2 – Confidentiality: In cases involving sensitive information or investigations, officers must maintain confidentiality as per the code of ethics to protect the integrity of ongoing operations and respect individual privacy rights.
Application to Ethical Issues in Policing
Specific Ethical Issue: Racial Profiling
Application of Code: The IACP Code of Ethics prohibits discriminatory practices based on race, ethnicity, or any other characteristic. By upholding principles of fairness, impartiality, and respect for human dignity, officers can address biases, combat racial profiling, and promote equitable treatment for all individuals.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the IACP Law Enforcement Code of Ethics serves as a foundational framework for guiding police officers in upholding moral standards, maintaining professionalism, and earning public trust. By adhering to ethical principles and applying them to real-world scenarios, officers can navigate complex ethical dilemmas, make informed decisions, and uphold the integrity of law enforcement practices. As guardians of justice and public safety, police officers play a critical role in safeguarding communities while embodying the values enshrined in their profession’s code of ethics.
