Reference no: EM133113904

Several factors contribute to law enforcement officers protecting peers who exhibit unethical behavior. Police officers learn from day one they must trust and be dependent on their fellow officers. Every police officer has a range of discretion when applying the law based on the individual officer's value system. Officers are very good at identifying criminal behavior, and they generally are trying to make a difference. Some officers have a defined line in the sand, and they will not cross. Others may perceive the "line" as a movable object depending on the crime. If a police officer speaks out against someone regarding how they detained or arrested someone, they may be perceived as working against the "noble cause." Based on experience, some officers push the threshold or move the line to accomplish their goals. If an officer speaks out against the methods by which a fellow officer arrested someone, they may ostracize themselves. This act goes against the noble cause and can be career suicide by negatively affecting their acceptance, promotability, and in rare cases, their safety. No matter what assignment or agency that officer may transfer to, he will carry a reputation that they cannot be trusted. Trust is a tenet that most police officers possess when entering law enforcement, and it is further instilled in them from day one of a police academy.