A peaceful protest was being carried out by a group of milk traders. The superintendent of Police instructs
the Police Officials to prevent the group from committing any type of violence, He, however tells them to
‘teach them a lesson’, if situation warrants. A Police Official on duty indulges into an argument with a
protester and beats him up. When inquired about his action, he says that he was told to teach them a lesson
by the Superintendent of Police. Give your comment on ethical behavior of both the Superintendent of
Police and the Police Official in the light of above mentioned incident.
The scenario presented entails a peaceful protest conducted by a group of milk traders. In response, the Superintendent of Police issued instructions to the police officials to prevent the group from engaging in any form of violence but, somewhat controversially, included a directive to “teach them a lesson” if the situation warranted. A police official on duty then proceeded to engage in an argument with a protestor and resorted to physical violence. When questioned about his actions, the police official invoked the Superintendent of Police’s directive as the rationale behind his behavior. This situation raises important ethical considerations, both for the Superintendent of Police and the police official.
Ethical Assessment of the Superintendent of Police’s Behavior:
The Superintendent of Police occupies a position of significant authority and responsibility, necessitating a careful evaluation of the ethical dimensions of his actions in this situation.
Directive to “Teach Them a Lesson”: The Superintendent’s directive to “teach them a lesson” raises ethical concerns. This phrase conveys an intent to employ force beyond what may be necessary for the maintenance of law and order during a peaceful protest. Ethical principles dictate that law enforcement agencies should only employ force as a last resort, in a proportionate manner, and with the utmost restraint. The directive in question appears to advocate a punitive approach that is incongruent with the principles of maintaining peace and safeguarding the rights of individuals participating in peaceful protests.
Ethical Duty of Public Officials: Public officials, particularly those in law enforcement, bear an ethical duty to ensure that their actions adhere to the law, respect the rights of individuals, and serve the greater good. The Superintendent’s directive, as articulated, introduces questions about the extent of his commitment to these ethical principles. Ethical leadership requires a dedication to maintaining the highest standards of lawful and just conduct, and any deviations from these standards may result in a breach of public trust.
Accountability: Public officials, including law enforcement personnel, are accountable for their actions and the repercussions that stem from their directives. When a directive is issued that raises ethical concerns and leads to violations of human rights, accountability becomes paramount. The Superintendent is ultimately responsible for the actions of his subordinates, and his directive could be viewed as a contributing factor to any ethical violations that occur within his jurisdiction.
Ethical Appraisal of the Police Official’s Behavior:
The actions of the police official involved in the incident also demand ethical scrutiny.
Use of Excessive Force: Engaging in a verbal altercation with a protestor and subsequently resorting to physical violence constitutes an employment of excessive force. Ethical principles stipulate that the use of force by law enforcement officers should be proportionate to the situation and employed only as a last resort. In this instance, the police official’s actions run contrary to these ethical standards and are therefore indefensible.
Duty to Uphold the Law: Law enforcement officers carry a primary ethical duty to uphold the law, protect the welfare of the public, and respect the rights of individuals. The actions of the police official, as described, flagrantly violate these ethical principles. The core of their role in society is to serve as stewards of justice, and any violations of this duty result in ethical lapses.
Following Orders and Ethical Imperatives: While it is an expectation that law enforcement personnel follow lawful orders from their superiors, an equally compelling ethical imperative exists that necessitates them to decline any order that is illegal, infringes upon human rights, or is otherwise unethical. The police official had a moral and ethical responsibility to refrain from participating in an action that was blatantly in contravention of these principles. By failing to do so, the police official demonstrated an ethical lapse in judgment.
Accountability: Accountability should be a central consideration in this case. The police official’s actions, which include the use of excessive force during a peaceful protest, are not only ethically untenable but may also warrant disciplinary actions, investigations, or potential legal consequences.
In conclusion, the ethical evaluation of the Superintendent of Police’s and the police official’s conduct in the described incident underscores the importance of adhering to the highest standards of ethical conduct within law enforcement agencies. The Superintendent’s directive, which hinted at excessive use of force, and the police official’s use of force that violated ethical and legal standards are matters of concern. It is imperative that law enforcement officials, both in leadership roles and at the operational level, uphold the principles of lawful and ethical conduct to foster public trust, safeguard the rule of law, and protect the rights of all citizens.