Terrorism, Social Stigma, and Police Ethics

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Let's take a closer look at this set of interesting questions.

RESPONSE:

1. How has terrorism impacted the police mission in the U.S.? What disagreements exist regarding the appropriate law enforcement behavior which fights terrorism but maintains personal liberties?

The American ideals of liberty and justice came under new attack on September 11, when fundamentalist Islamic terrorists from the international terrorist network known as al Qaeda committed mass murder and destruction in pursuit of worldwide tyrannical power. Since then, the mission has a heightened focus on national security. For police to meet the challenges of terrorism prevention and first response to terrorist acts, they require expansive new training, interagency coordination and intelligence sharing, federal security clearances, and a clear understanding of terrorists and terrorism. (www.scribd.com/doc/.../Character-and-Cops-Ethics-in-Policing)

There is conflict and disagreements between protecting personal liberties and fighting terrorism. Surveillance of the internet in search of terrorist connections and networks i.e. keeping track of Google sites visited by ordinary citizens takes away personal liberty and privacy that some thought went too far, although under President Bush, he reported that the FBI had many leads to al Qaeda networks. Searching hand bags and luggage before boarding planes and getting an x-ray that shows private parts have become routine. In the name of national security and combating terrorism, is it worth giving up these personal liberties. Some think not, while other air on the side of safety. What position do you take? Should there be limits set?

2. What role does social stigma play in police ethics? Give specific examples from your reading or your experiences where social stigma played a role in either furthering police corruption or reducing it.

Ethical deficiencies and shortcomings in policing reflect the general coarsening in modern society. Both social cohesion in a people and high moral standards in a police department depend on what philosopher Roger Scruton calls "the genial pressure of manners, morals, and ...