Character and Cops: Ethics in Policing [Paperback]

Edwin J. Delattre (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0844741531 | ISBN-13: 978-0844741536 | Publication Date: March 1, 2002 | Edition: 4th Edition

This book is a study of the nature and formation of the moral integrity and intellectual competence that make individuals and institutions worthy of the public trust.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Edwin J. Delattre is dean of the School of Education, Boston University. Patrick V. Murphy is the former Commissioner of the New York City Police Department.

Product Details

• Paperback: 489 pages
• Publisher: Aei Press; 4th Edition edition (March 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0844741531
• ISBN-13: 978-0844741536
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.8 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,469,160 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars More a text book than a book for the general reader, January 5, 2001

By 

Tom Munro "tomfrombrunswick" (Melbourne, Victoria Australia) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Character and Cops: Ethics in Policing (Paperback)

This book appears to be used by police academies in training police. It seems to be more of a textbook rather than a book for the general reader.

Police forces throughout the world are at risk of having certain problems. There is always some pressure for police to accept bribes. Police can also slide into habits of using excess force and some times other problems can occur such as simple laziness. One of the problems for any police command is thus to ensure that these problems are either eliminated or minimized.

This book talks about the sorts of reasons why police become corrupt and urges police to develop morale character. One of the chapters for instance looks in part at the question of whether police should accept free cups of coffee from restaurants. On the face of it such an offer would seem a simple measure of gratitude from a member of the public to underpaid officers. The author however indicates that often in such situations the offer of even a coffee may lead to an expectation of something in return. To warn customers of the restaurant instead of giving them parking tickets. To be around if the restaurant has problems. Such a process can lead to police accepting the idea of quid pro quo's and entering into other arrangements. This chapter goes on to explain the mechanics of corruption and why even non-corrupt officers will remain silent in the face of corruption. The police force is a cohesive unit whose members will from time to time face situations of real danger. The need to depend on others can lead to officers falling into the habit of not rating so that they will have support in any dangerous confrontations with criminals.

One of the strengths of the book is that it is filled with thousands of examples in which police can face pressure to do the wrong thing. These examples are carefully chosen and no doubt would in a class setting be valuable for trainee officers.

Other chapters, obviously again intended for class discussion rather than being definitive in themselves are disappointing. One chapter looks at the question of drug enforcement and examines arguments for changing the current policy of prohibition. Although the author presents both sides of the argument with fairness there is no real discussion of the empirical reality and the costs of the policies. His approach is one based on morality and rights rather than looking at the operational problems of policing drugs and the cost of imprisonment. In addition he puts the dilemma as an either or choice between legalization and probation. He seems to be unaware of harm minimization strategies. Another chapter that touches on positive discrimination is also disappointing.

These criticisms are perhaps churlish, as the book does not seem to have aimed at being one read by the general public. No doubt a reasonable text book but not something which would contribute to the debate on how to structure police forces to deal with problems and violence.

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential reading for law enforcement, August 16, 2000

By 

[e-mail] (Wisconsin USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Character and Cops: Ethics in Policing (Aei Studies, 490) (Hardcover)

This book depicts a geniune need in law enforcement. The need to hire, train, and maintain ethical personnel is explained and stressed to the reader in a way that has been overdue. The occupation of a law enforcement offical world wide has a real need to be a true character , role model, or the public offical that can be trusted. Edwin has a clear style of writing with a no nonsense approach to describe past , present, and future occurrences of police conduct. I believe the criminal justice system would beam with pride and public trust if law enforcement would read and act on the issues and suggestion that Delattre brings forth in this fine book.

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best overall text on the market for L.E. professionals., January 1, 2004

By 

Fin M Johnson (California, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Character and Cops: Ethics in Policing (Paperback)

This to-the-point book answers many of the questions that concern officers, supervisors and adminisrators serving communities today. Not a re-hashed, warmed-over version of business management theory rewritten in police jargon, as we find in so many other books professing to be "police text". This book addresses issues ("cop things") in the realm of reality (the"cop world"). Don't let the title fool you, although it has much to say about ethics, this text expands on the "real" ethics of law enforcement; the "street level" use of ethics, morals and values in relation to the reality of the job. Each chapter deals with a diffenent core subject; they can stand alone as a lesson. I constantly review portions when met with a difficult challenge. In my estimation, history will hold this text as one of the best sources of information for professional police offices of all ranks. Many agencies issue a copy of this to all new supervisors. This is one book to have in your desk at all times.