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2328 Police Systems -- Chapter 12: Deviance, Ethics and Professionalism
Please respond to each of the scenarios. All responses must be a minimum of 1 paragraph (at
least 5 sentences). Failure to meet the limit requirement will result in a loss of points. This
assignment is worth 40 points. Choose 5 of the scenarios – each scenario is worth 8 points each.
You must incorporate the appropriate terminology as used in Chapter 12 to support your
responses.
You must include a title page. The assignment must be double-spaced. Please be sure to edit
before submission to avoid a loss of points. The assignment is due on April 22nd at 11:59 p.m.
The assignment must be submitted via D2L dropbox. Thanks!
Dr. E
Scenario No. 1
A police officer is sitting in a restaurant with three fishing buddies on a day off. He is in
plainclothes and is not noticed by two patrol officers sitting at the counter having coffee. The
uniformed patrol officers get up and leave without paying or even leaving a tip. One of the
civilian fishing partners also observes this and comments that this place really appreciates having
police around because of the rough neighborhood. In fact, the owner had just been telling him
how great the guys were and that a little free coffee is mighty cheap insurance. Both officers are
good men and have been on the department about five to six years. What should you do?
Scenario No. 2
You have a beat partner whom you really like. He is one of the best cops you know. He looks
sharp, does good work, and can always be depended upon. You have noticed, however, that
every once in a while he smells of alcohol. Finally, one night while on duty, you ask him about
the smell. He produces a small flask from his uniformed jacket inside pocket. He states "this is
my one vice in the world, I have a nip now and then. Never more than two in a shift. You know,
it's like sex. It's not the amount, it's the fun of doing it when you know it's taboo. Trust me, it's
no problem." As far as you know it is not! He thanks you for mentioning the smell, and says
he'll do something about that.
Scenario No. 3
You are a police officer, and you just purchased a duplex as a rental. You are very proud and
talk about it at the station. You tell several of the officers about how people have already applied
to rent it once the painting is complete. A little later that same day, you stop by the local paint
store, while on duty, to arrange for the paint to be delivered. There is no "special" discount
involved, but you are excited and want to get things done.
2328 Police Systems -- Chapter 12: Deviance, Ethics and Professionalism
Scenario No. 3 (continued)
While there, another officer, who is a friend of yours, pulls his unit into the parking lot and
motions for you to come out to his car. At the car, he hands you a copy of a rap sheet on the
applicant you named earlier at the station. It indicates that the person has been arrested for
burglary, drug charges and resisting arrest. What do you do?
Scenario No. 4
You are working with a new partner. He is senior to you and known as a good cop by most
everyone. You observe a male walking down the street in a residential district. He looks normal
to you, except that his clothes are a little ragged and he needs a haircut. While he doesn't look
like a homeowner, there are several similar looking individuals that walk this street. Your
partner, who is driving, slows and calls to the male by saying "hey fellow, what are you doing in
this area?" This subject looks over at you but just keeps walking. Your partner makes a U-turn
and stops alongside the guy. Both of you exit the police vehicle and begin walking fast to catch
the guy who just keeps walking in the same direction. As you approach, the subject spins around
and says "screw you cop." Before you can say anything, your partner grabs the subject by the
arm, trips him, and slams him face first into the sidewalk. He then cuffs the guy, picks him up
by the arm and shoves him against the patrol car until he gets the door open. He then shoves the
guy, who is now bleeding from the nose, into the rear seat. You have not had time to really do
anything, nor has the subject. Your partner winks at you and says, "next time he'll think twice
before taking a swing at a police officer." Your partner then sits down in the front seat and
begins to write a report as he calls for transportation to take the subject to jail. What do you do?
Scenario No. 5
An officer is assigned an investigation involving a dispatcher who supposedly has been using
various illegal drugs off-duty. Since a deputy friend of yours lives in the same apartment
complex as the dispatcher under suspicion, you interview him to ascertain whether or not he has
any relevant information. During the interview, you ask him, as a routine question, if he has ever
use drugs himself. He responds, "yes, I have smoked marijuana at a party with some friends who
are not officers. In fact, I think I still have a couple of joints somewhere." You are surprised,
but when you pursue how often he smokes, or if he still does, he politely says, "forget it." He
says he shouldn't even have mentioned it, but it's no problem now. What do you do?
2328 Police Systems -- Chapter 12: Deviance, Ethics and Professionalism
Scenario No. 6
A police officer notifies radio that he is involved in a high-speed chase only a few blocks away
from you. Before you can respond, the reporting unit says that the suspect vehicle has had an
accident. You come around the corner and see the suspects wrecked car against a parked car.
The suspect is standing next to the patrol car and is being handcuffed by the arresting officer, a
friend of yours, and a good cop. As you park, exit your car, and start to walk over to assist, you
see the handcuffed suspect turn his head and spit in the officers face. The officer grabs the
suspect and throws him to the ground. He grabs the suspect by the hair, jerks his head up and
spits in the suspects face. He then pulls the suspect to his feet and shoves him into the patrol car.
He looks at you and winks. What do you do?
Scenario No. 7
You're at headquarters in the locker room dressing when you see a white officer hanging a
cartoon on the locker room bulletin board. You read it as you pass, and it is a list of 20 things
black people can do with their lips, obviously a racial joke. Another white officer walks up,
looks at it, and starts laughing. Other white officer's walk up, and one takes it down saying he is
going to make copies for his squad. What do you do?
Scenario No. 8
You have just completed your shift and discover that your car is inoperative. You ask a fellow
officer if you will give you a ride home and he states that he will. While riding in the officer's
private vehicle you notice an obvious paper "bundle" between the seats. The officer stops at a
convenience store, leaving you in the car while he goes inside. You retrieve the "bundle" and
find that it contains cocaine. When the officer gets back into the vehicle you ask him where he
obtained the cocaine. He states that it is half of what he seized from a suspect three nights ago.
What do you do?