Police Abuse Thesis

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HANDLING POLICE MISCONDUCT IN AN ETHICAL WAY by Daniel Patrick Barry Associate of Science Nassau Community College, New York 1977 Bachelor of Science State University College of New York, Buffalo 1979 A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Master of Arts Degree Ethics and Policy Studies Department of Political Science College of Liberal Arts Graduate College University of Nevada, Las Vegas December 1999 ii ABSTRACT Handling Police Conduct in an Ethical Way by Daniel Patrick Barry Dr. Craig Walton Professor of Ethics and Policy Studies University of Nevada, Las Vegas Police misconduct has always been a serious problem in America. Historically, reform efforts have failed due to an organizational culture that is resistant to change. Past reforms have been aimed at individual incidents, disregarding underlying organizational problems. Improving public perception has been the goal of past reforms, as opposed to improving organizational soundness. Reform efforts need to be directed at enhancing police organizational culture. These changes will improve workplace ethos, allowing virtuous conduct to flourish. Advancing this organizational culture will encourage police officers to act in a manner consistent with the high trust we vest in this vocation. Justice, Truthfulness and Good Loyalty have been defined by the great philosophers throughout history and should all be incorporated into the decision-making process of police leaders. Six proposals are offered to achieve the needed change in the organizational culture of police departments. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iii TABLE OF CONTENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iv

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