ethics and community

What Would You Do? Ethical Decision-Making Scenario

• Assignment 1 Scenario
• You are a criminal justice professional working evening shift in a midsized community. During your shift, you are assigned to respond to a call involving a minor but emotionally charged incident that presents multiple ethical considerations.
• You are dispatched to a neighborhood where a store owner has called to report a suspected theft involving a young adult. Upon arrival, you learn that the individual attempted to leave the store without paying for a low-cost item. The individual did not attempt to flee, cooperated immediately when confronted, and returned the item without resistance. The store owner is frustrated and insists that charges be filed, stating that similar incidents have occurred in the area and that they want to send a message.
• During your interaction, the individual appears anxious and distressed. They explain that they recently lost their job and were attempting to obtain a basic necessity. The individual has no prior criminal history and provides identification. English is not their first language, and communication is slow but respectful. You notice that the individual avoids eye contact and speaks quietly, which the store owner interprets as dishonesty.
• Department policy allows you discretion in handling minor offenses. You may issue a citation, make an arrest, refer the individual to a diversion or community-based program, or resolve the matter informally. At the same time, you are aware that your department has emphasized reducing repeat calls for service from local businesses and maintaining strong community relations. You also know that supervisors closely review discretionary decisions, particularly those involving public complaints.
• As you consider how to proceed, you recognize that this situation involves competing interests, including legal authority, ethical responsibility, individual rights, cultural considerations, organizational expectations, and community trust. Your decision will affect the individual involved, the business owner, public perception of fairness, and your professional accountability.
• Student Prompt
• Using the concepts from the assigned course articles, prepare a What Would You Do? ethical decision-making report addressing the following:
• Explain the ethical dilemma present in this scenario.
• Identify the competing values, responsibilities, and pressures influencing the decision.
• Describe what action you would take and why.
• Explain how moral reasoning, discretion, and ethical decision-making models support your response.
• Discuss how cultural competence, bias awareness, and community relations influenced your decision.
• Your response should demonstrate professional judgment, ethical reasoning, and application of course concepts rather than personal opinion.

What Would You Do? Ethical Decision-Making Report

• Student Writing Guide
• Purpose of This Assignment
• This assignment asks you to analyze an ethical dilemma using professional judgment rather than personal opinion. You will explain how you would respond to the scenario by applying ethical reasoning, discretion, cultural awareness, and criminal justice values discussed in the course readings.
• How to Organize Your Report
• Introduction
• Briefly summarize the scenario and identify your role as a criminal justice professional. State that the purpose of the report is to analyze the ethical dilemma and explain how you would respond using course concepts.
• Ethical Dilemma
• Explain what makes this situation an ethical dilemma. Describe why the decision is not automatic or simple and identify the conflict between law, ethics, discretion, fairness, and professional responsibility.
• Competing Values and Pressures
• Discuss the competing values involved, such as fairness, accountability, public trust, organizational expectations, and individual rights. Explain how these competing factors make the decision challenging.
• Ethical Reasoning and Discretion
• Explain how ethical reasoning should guide the use of discretion in this situation. Apply ethical decision-making concepts from the course to show how a professional should evaluate possible options before acting.
• Cultural Competence and Bias Awareness
• Discuss how cultural differences, communication barriers, or implicit bias may influence perceptions and decision-making in the scenario. Explain why cultural awareness is important in making an ethical and fair decision.
• Your Decision: What Would You Do?
• Clearly state what action you would take. Justify your decision using ethical principles, professional standards, and course readings. Explain how your response balances fairness, accountability, and respect for individual rights.
• Impact on Community Trust and Professional Integrity
• Explain how your decision supports public trust, ethical practice, and the legitimacy of the criminal justice system.
• Conclusion
• Summarize the ethical issue, your decision, and why ethical reasoning is essential in criminal justice decision-making.
• Writing Expectations
• Write in full paragraphs using a professional, academic tone.
• Base your analysis on course concepts, not personal opinion.
• Support your decision with ethical reasoning and assigned readings.