DB Replies: Please see attached.  | Criminal

Please see attached.  DiscussionAssignmentInstructionsCJUS350.docx CJUS 350 Discussion Assignment Instructions The student will complete 8 Discussions in this course. The student will post one thread of at least 400 words by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Thursday of the assigned Module: Week. The student must then post at least 2 replies of at least 200 words by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Monday of the assigned Module: Week. For each thread, students must support their assertions with at least 2 scholarly citations in APA format. Each reply must incorporate at least 2 scholarly citation(s) in APA format. Any sources cited must have been published within the last five years. Acceptable sources include the textbook, the Bible, journal articles and professional experiences. RickyDavis.docx Ricky Davis Understanding the ethical issues and moral dilemmas enables any criminal justice professional to pursue moral integrity continuously despite societal expectations. In Ethical Dilemmas and Decisions in Criminal Justice, Pollock (2022) describes ethics as an organized approach to determine right or wrong in the presence of competing interests, promoting the moral clarity of the deed and fostering the moral integrity to do the right actions. Empirical studies recently reaffirm the extent to which peer-group pressure in networks of police officers can influence ethical conduct. As an example, one study by Quispe-Torreblanca and Stewart (2019) showed that a 10-percentage increase in peer misconduct results in a corresponding 8-percentage mobilization of an officer in later misconduct, pointing to the strong social contagion of conduct by peers in the law enforcement agency. This finding confirms the stress that Fitch applies to peer-group norms as an intimidating force. Likewise, the scoping review conducted by Dempsey, Eskander, and Dubljevic (2023) reported that, though integrity and fairness are the core values, loyalty, which is usually motivated by survival mechanisms and group ideals, is prioritized regularly and can negatively affect ethics. These studies indicate that unregulated loyalty and cultural conformity are a potent process of compromising moral conduct. As Christians, we must consider such behavioral influences within the context of scripture. Romans 12:2 advises us to avoid becoming conformed to world patterns instead of being transformed through renewing our minds. Therefore, when there is a conflict between peer pressure and moral beliefs, we must stand up against the pressure and seek justice based on the truth instead of lying and reacting. Fidelity towards subordinates may be admirable. Proverbs 17:17 hails the value of a faithful friend and demeans accountability when it flops down. Group loyalty also contributes to the phenomenon of the code of silence, which conceals misbehavior and impairs justice and the population's faith. Those in Christian ethics are obligated to be transparent and accountable because God insists on his righteousness. The scripture supports the presence of godly leadership: Deuteronomy 16:18-20 tells us that the leaders are to judge the people with righteous judgment and should follow justness and justice only, and Psalm 106:3 says that those who do what is correct shall be blessed and always do the just. The criminal justice system needs to have leaders of high moral standing to oversee the system in an equal and fair manner. Even the ethical approach in criminal justice based on the biblical worldviews stands out. It justifies, in the first place, speaking truth to power, and in a second place, to peers, as a matter of integrity, even at the cost of the latter. Second, it is the foundation of restorative justice that focuses on reconciliation and recovery of the community, rather than on punishment. This aligns with Micah 6:8, which requires us to do justice, love mercy, and walk with God humbly; therefore, it should govern compliance to morality in law enforcement and corrections. TannerSmith.docx Tanner Smith To think or ponder on ethical issues and moral dilemmas will help with future decisions whether something is right or wrong. By analyzing information as well as the outcomes, it can help one to be able to put things in perspective and understand the possible outcomes of particular situations. “Moral sensitivity and professional values have a positive effect on the improvement of ethical decision-making.” (Chen, Su, Liu, Miao & Fang, 2021).  One gains moral sensitivity by understanding the outcomes of one’s decisions. Understanding the author’s view on behavioral influences and values, front a personal point of view in some cases is correct. There are many officers who do engage in behaviors that they have seen other officers engage in which may or may not be acceptable behaviors. This seems to be more relative to the particular type of officer in each situation. As for my particular direction, I have a very high moral compass, and I try to perform my duties keeping that first and foremost in my mind each and every day. There have been instances where I may have witnessed a fellow officer engaging in an act that I could have easily adapted and later used; however, I generally am very strong-willed and do not just play follow the leader. In some cases, young officers can easily be influenced, however, I have not found myself one to adapt to any actions which I feel could be later in question and that is even when it comes from someone of a higher authority. It is important that we are loyal to our colleagues, and it could be considered a value that is priceless within the workplace. In law enforcement, loyalty is valued but not at the expense of immoral or less than legal acts. As officers, we must be able to trust those whom we work with and build somewhat of a brotherhood and strong bond. “Some cultural aspects such as solidarity and support within workgroups seem to be beneficial, while others appear harmful, such as excessive alcohol consumption or suppression of negative emotions” (Gutschmidt& Vera, 2020). The Code of Silence which refers to an unspoken understanding that officers look the other way at times when other officers abuse their powers while working their jobs, “depending on the circumstances, code of silence adherence is, at best, a violation of agency policy and, at worst, a criminal offense” (Donner & Maskaly, 2023).  It is not uncommon for officers to look the other way, but it is not ethical. Officers can experience many repercussions for breaking the code of silence, such as ostracism, threats or fear. However, in order for officers to have the respect that we need to do the job, it is imperative that we step up and speak up. We need to rebuild the respect of the public and in order to do so we must not allow illegal actions among officers, we must be held to a higher standard. Deuteronomy 16:18-20 makes it clear that our justice system needs those who will be fair and not show partiality, and willing to listen and understand the facts as they are presented and follow the law. The justice system needs to possess strong character and morals so that there is respect among the people they are leading and protecting. With out strong morals and character, the public which they protect will not respect or listen to them, which will hinder the entire justice system.   A biblical worldview by someone with the criminal justice system may help to strengthen the decisions by enforcing strong moral character decisions. When there is a choice to look over something that an officer has done that seem immoral, a person with a biblical worldview will be more apt to use a restorative justice approach when making decisions. One with a biblical worldview would want to forgive the injustice as Christ forgives. Ephesians 1:7 states “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace” ( English Standard Version)