Deck 11: Accountability and Ethics

Question 1

Which of the following is NOT one of steps taken by police departments in the investigation of complaints against officers?

A) Review the complainant's allegation to determine what departmental standard(s) was violated.
B) Contact and interview all witnesses and re-interview the complainant if necessary.
C) Obtain background information on the complainant.
D) Subject the complainant to a lie-detector test to determine his or her honesty.

Answer 1

D

Question 2

According to this ethical perspective, it is the results of one's actions that determine what is moral and good.

A) Ethical formalism
B) Ethical utilitarianism
C) Ethical relativism
D) Egoism

Answer 2

B

Question 3

In dealing with police misbehavior, this method does not investigate citizen complaints but rather focuses on the police organization and its policies and practices:

A) Civilian review boards
B) Decertification
C) Civil liability
D) Police auditor system

Answer 3

D

Question 4

Which statement best describes ethical formulation?

A) The ethical perspective which states the result of one's actions determine what is moral and good.
B) The ethical perspective which considers good varies with the particular values of the group and individuals.
C) The ethical perspective which places a moral worth on doing one's duty of going by the book.
D) All of the above.

Question 5

Decertification is one method of external accountability. Some form of decertification is found in about __________ of the states.

A) 50%
B) 100%
C) 75%
D) 85%

Question 6

Which of the following is the most accurate definition of procedures?

A) The effort to control police behavior by establishing an external form of review
B) The methods of steps to be taken when performing a task
C) The statement of purpose that is useful in identifying the role and mission of the police that
D) The specific and measurable statement of purpose that is related to the accomplishment of a goal that

Question 7

What is a specific statement that identifies required or prohibited behaviors by officers?

A) Objective
B) Procedure
C) Rule
D) Policy

Question 8

This is a general statement of purpose that is useful in identifying the role and mission of the police:

A) Policy
B) Objective
C) Rule
D) Goal

Question 9

Title 242, USC pertains to what type of violations?

A) Civil rights violations committed by the police
B) Civil rights violations committed by offenders
C) Civil rights violations committed by citizens
D) None of the above

Question 10

According to this ethical perspective, what is good is that which results in the greatest benefit for me:

A) Religion
B) Ethical formalism
C) Egoism
D) Ethical relativism

Question 11

Which is NOT a method of legal control over police behavior?

A) Criminal liability
B) Decertification
C) Exclusionary rule
D) All are methods of legal control over police behavior

Question 12

What does the ethical perspective of ethical utilitarianism state?

A) It is the results of one's actions that determines what is moral or good.
B) What is considered good varies with the particular values of groups and individuals.
C) It places a moral worth on "doing one's duty."
D) What is good is that which results in the greatest benefit to me.

Question 13

This ethical perspective is probably a more realistic description of day-to-day police ethics than any other.

A) Ethical formalism
B) Ethical utilitarianism
C) Ethical relativism
D) Deontological ethics

Question 14

Elements of community policing are consistent with which ethical framework?

A) Ethical formalism
B) Ethical utilitarianism
C) Ethical relativism
D) Deontological ethics

Question 15

This is a general statement that gives guidance to police officers as to the proper course of action:

A) Regulation
B) Departmental policy
C) Goal
D) Objective

Question 16

A recent study found that grievance arbitration typically reduces the amount of discipline ultimately imposed by what amount?

A) 25%
B) 10%
C) 30%
D) 50%

Question 17

If other observers conducted research again in the same setting and achieved similar conclusions, this is known as what?

A) Reliability
B) Centralization
C) Validity
D) None of the above

Question 18

Which of the following occurs when an investigation into citizen complaints finds that the alleged complaint is essentially true but the officer's behavior is justified, legal, and within organizational policy?

A) Concerted withdrawal
B) Unfounded complaint
C) Exoneration
D) Recidivism

Question 19

In the history of civilian review, this era was marked by increased public support for civilian review; (also, there were increases in public concern about the criminal justice system.):

A) First era
B) Second era
C) Third era
D) Fourth era

Question 20

One criterion of professionalism is that there is a unique body of knowledge. Which of the following would be a way to gain this unique body of knowledge?

A) Studying the work of experts
B) Scientific research
C) Consulting-modeling
D) All of the above

Question 21

Lockers at the police station, a police car, and other elements of on-duty performance are protected by the Fourth Amendment during an internal investigation.

Question 22

CALEA currently has 944 standards that a police department must meet for accreditation.

Question 23

Oversight mechanisms must be internal to the police department.

Question 24

The Fourth Amendment guarantees apply to police officers at home and off duty.

Question 25

One criterion for professionalization is a unique body of knowledge.

Question 26

A small number of police officers receive a disproportionate number of complaints.

Question 27

Generally speaking, if an unlawful search of a police officer occurs during an internal investigation, the fruits of that search cannot be used in the disciplinary hearing.

Question 28

Officers found guilty in an internal investigation do not have a right to appeal.

Question 29

Termination of employment, reassignment, and mandatory training are all examples of options that are not used as actual punishment by police departments in response to officer misconduct.

Question 30

Research indicates that over half of the 50 largest cities in the United States have some type of external review of citizen complaints against the police.

Question 31

Illegally obtained evidence may be used against the police in disciplinary hearings.

Question 32

When police officers are being investigated as suspects in a crime, they have the same legal procedural rights as any other suspect.

Question 33

Departmental policies are specific statements that identify required or prohibited behavior by officers.

Question 34

The police auditor system may be used in place of the civilian review board to investigate citizen complaints.

Question 35

A governmental unit, such as a city or county, has sovereign immunity in civil liability cases involving its police officers.

Question 36

The community-policing movement emphasizes decreased autonomy.

Question 37

Certification may be part of professionalism but it is not a necessary part.

Question 38

An exoneration of an officer occurs when the investigation results in a finding that the alleged complaint is essentially false but that the officer's behavior was not justified, legal, or within organizational policy.

Question 39

Under utilitarianism, what is good is that which results in the greatest benefit for the greatest number.

Question 40

Two primary sources of standards for the police are professional and ethical training.

Question 41

Identify several of the differences between internal investigations and criminal investigations.

Question 42

Chart the history of the civil review board. Discuss the three different eras.

Question 43

The authors cite four limitations of professional and ethical standards. List and discuss those four limitations.

Question 44

List and describe three forms of punishment that can follow a complaint against an officer being sustained. Which do you believe is most effective?

Question 45

Discuss several of the limitations of civilian review boards.

Question 46

Matching
-Police auditor systems

A) If other observers conducted the research again in the same setting, they would reach similar results
B) A system that tracks specific types of officer behaviors
C) The observer sees what is actually going on
D) Focuses on the police organizations and its policies and practices
E) What is considered good varied with the particular values of groups and individuals
F) Statements compelled during and internal investigation cannot be used later in court
G) Places moral worth on doing one's duty
H) Used to appeal disciplinary action
I) Used to ensure quality and competence
J) The licensing process used to determine whether a police department meets general standards of policy and training

Question 47

Matching
-Ethical formalism

A) If other observers conducted the research again in the same setting, they would reach similar results
B) A system that tracks specific types of officer behaviors
C) The observer sees what is actually going on
D) Focuses on the police organizations and its policies and practices
E) What is considered good varied with the particular values of groups and individuals
F) Statements compelled during and internal investigation cannot be used later in court
G) Places moral worth on doing one's duty
H) Used to appeal disciplinary action
I) Used to ensure quality and competence
J) The licensing process used to determine whether a police department meets general standards of policy and training

Question 48

Matching
-Reliability

A) If other observers conducted the research again in the same setting, they would reach similar results
B) A system that tracks specific types of officer behaviors
C) The observer sees what is actually going on
D) Focuses on the police organizations and its policies and practices
E) What is considered good varied with the particular values of groups and individuals
F) Statements compelled during and internal investigation cannot be used later in court
G) Places moral worth on doing one's duty
H) Used to appeal disciplinary action
I) Used to ensure quality and competence
J) The licensing process used to determine whether a police department meets general standards of policy and training

Question 49

Matching
-Early warning (early-identification) system

A) If other observers conducted the research again in the same setting, they would reach similar results
B) A system that tracks specific types of officer behaviors
C) The observer sees what is actually going on
D) Focuses on the police organizations and its policies and practices
E) What is considered good varied with the particular values of groups and individuals
F) Statements compelled during and internal investigation cannot be used later in court
G) Places moral worth on doing one's duty
H) Used to appeal disciplinary action
I) Used to ensure quality and competence
J) The licensing process used to determine whether a police department meets general standards of policy and training

Question 50

Matching
-Validity

A) If other observers conducted the research again in the same setting, they would reach similar results
B) A system that tracks specific types of officer behaviors
C) The observer sees what is actually going on
D) Focuses on the police organizations and its policies and practices
E) What is considered good varied with the particular values of groups and individuals
F) Statements compelled during and internal investigation cannot be used later in court
G) Places moral worth on doing one's duty
H) Used to appeal disciplinary action
I) Used to ensure quality and competence
J) The licensing process used to determine whether a police department meets general standards of policy and training

Question 51

Matching
-Garrity interview

A) If other observers conducted the research again in the same setting, they would reach similar results
B) A system that tracks specific types of officer behaviors
C) The observer sees what is actually going on
D) Focuses on the police organizations and its policies and practices
E) What is considered good varied with the particular values of groups and individuals
F) Statements compelled during and internal investigation cannot be used later in court
G) Places moral worth on doing one's duty
H) Used to appeal disciplinary action
I) Used to ensure quality and competence
J) The licensing process used to determine whether a police department meets general standards of policy and training

Question 52

Matching
-Ethical relativism

A) If other observers conducted the research again in the same setting, they would reach similar results
B) A system that tracks specific types of officer behaviors
C) The observer sees what is actually going on
D) Focuses on the police organizations and its policies and practices
E) What is considered good varied with the particular values of groups and individuals
F) Statements compelled during and internal investigation cannot be used later in court
G) Places moral worth on doing one's duty
H) Used to appeal disciplinary action
I) Used to ensure quality and competence
J) The licensing process used to determine whether a police department meets general standards of policy and training

Question 53

Matching
-Certification

A) If other observers conducted the research again in the same setting, they would reach similar results
B) A system that tracks specific types of officer behaviors
C) The observer sees what is actually going on
D) Focuses on the police organizations and its policies and practices
E) What is considered good varied with the particular values of groups and individuals
F) Statements compelled during and internal investigation cannot be used later in court
G) Places moral worth on doing one's duty
H) Used to appeal disciplinary action
I) Used to ensure quality and competence
J) The licensing process used to determine whether a police department meets general standards of policy and training

Question 54

Matching
-Accreditation

A) If other observers conducted the research again in the same setting, they would reach similar results
B) A system that tracks specific types of officer behaviors
C) The observer sees what is actually going on
D) Focuses on the police organizations and its policies and practices
E) What is considered good varied with the particular values of groups and individuals
F) Statements compelled during and internal investigation cannot be used later in court
G) Places moral worth on doing one's duty
H) Used to appeal disciplinary action
I) Used to ensure quality and competence
J) The licensing process used to determine whether a police department meets general standards of policy and training

Question 55

Matching
-Grievance arbitration

A) If other observers conducted the research again in the same setting, they would reach similar results
B) A system that tracks specific types of officer behaviors
C) The observer sees what is actually going on
D) Focuses on the police organizations and its policies and practices
E) What is considered good varied with the particular values of groups and individuals
F) Statements compelled during and internal investigation cannot be used later in court
G) Places moral worth on doing one's duty
H) Used to appeal disciplinary action
I) Used to ensure quality and competence
J) The licensing process used to determine whether a police department meets general standards of policy and training