Professionalism and Ethics.

Discuss the concept of professionalism. Includes: its earliest meaning comes from those professing the vows of a religious order. It meant the act of professing, a spiritual commitment, a range of academic expertise or both; by 1675 the term was secularized; the Oxford English Dictionary offers the following definitions;

Discuss the characteristics of professionalism. Includes: service to others; assessment of needs to others; theoretical body of knowledge obtained through extended pre-service education; standards for entry, practice, and ethical conduct; professional association to maintain standards;

Discuss the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics. Includes: professional law enforcement organizations embrace a strict code of ethics. Additionally, professional law enforcement organizations adopt a personal code of ethics they expect their organization and personnel to embrace. The following is the International Association of Chiefs of Police Code of Ethics;

Discuss ethical dilemmas in law enforcement. Much current public and private concern centers on our own values or our lack of them. Many of our institutions and, indeed, the American way of life are attacked for placing value on the wrong things. Every aspect of human behavior is influenced by personal values, but values are not easily defined or achieved. Their definitions and interpretations vary from period to period, location to location, person to person, group to group, and situation to situation. Some human values have remained intact through centuries (for example, courage) and some have declined and been revived (for example, respect for life).