Weighing ethics in police work
Our research on ethics in police work (link) has often prompted spontaneous comments such as “This is such an important topic! This is needed. Absolutely.” or “Why the police? Why them in particular?”, but also more skeptical remarks: “Are you, as researchers, going to give instructions and tell the police what they should do? Surely they know their own work best themselves.”
It is great that the research arouses interest and comments. But why this topic in particular? What does it tell us that so many people have their own views or strong opinions about the ethics of police work? Are these views based on personal (negative or positive) experiences, the public image of the police, or general perceptions of police work in Finland?
The police are a public institution whose task is to safeguard everyday life for individuals and society and to prevent crime. At the same time, the police have a legitimate right not only to protect but also to supervise and control people’s freedom in an open society. For this reason, weighing the ethicality of work in diverse and rapidly changing situations is extremely important.
In the Ethical Policing (EEPO) project, our research focuses on situations encountered in the everyday work of policing, that is, how police officers identify and deal with ethical principles or related tensions in their work. In addition, we are interested in hearing examples of what these situations are like and how they are resolved within work communities.
Our analysis focuses on preventive police work, which by nature involves close cooperation with various actors, such as authorities, schools, and organizations. Accordingly, ethical issues are examined also from the perspective of the police’s collaboration with stakeholders. In addition, we are interested in police students’ experiences and in how ethical issues are addressed and discussed during their studies.
The starting point of the research is the idea that ethical foundations are concretely present in all kinds of work, whether it involves construction, transport, or working with people. Buildings must remain standing, vehicles must operate safely, and young children must receive competent care in early childhood education. Ethics is therefore not limited to philosophical questions or deep discussions, but is part of everyday life and practical work.
Generally defined, ethics refers to the ability to refrain from unethical actions and to follow ethical norms and values, as well as actions that produce positive effects for individuals, organizations, or society. In organizational everyday life, unethical practices or neglect of ethics can develop as part of work almost unnoticed through socialization and learning processes. Factors such as internal hierarchies or (negative) collegiality within work communities may prevent problems or neglect from being recognized or raised. These may appear to be minor situations, yet they can negatively affect work culture and erode its ethical foundations.
In practice, weighing ethics comes to the fore in decision-making situations where there are good but mutually conflicting grounds for action. In such situations, professionals must balance different options and consider decisions based on situational information. Decisions may be made intuitively or involve critical evaluation and consideration of alternatives. In everyday work, ethical competence requires understanding and adopting practices that support deliberate and responsible professional decision-making.
Ethical action is not merely mechanical compliance with guidelines, but requires continuous reflection and open discussion, also in police work. This is a discussion we seek to contribute to during the EEPO project – together with the police, their stakeholders, and the wider public.
Sari Vanhanen, JATKOT-research group