This assignment will define and compare ethics and morality ✓ Solved
This assignment will define and compare ethics and morality. Research, select, and describe an incident involving a real ethical concern or event related to criminal justice (e.g., corruption in a police department, judicial bribery, smuggling contraband into prisons by correctional officers, etc.). Students must utilize the Library Subject Guide for Criminal Justice (See Content) to conduct independent and unique research. Organization: Part One: An opening paragraph describing your topic and ultimate conclusion Part Two: Brief description of the selected event and the ethical issues involved you choose to write about Part Three: Conclusions based on your research and class readings as to the consequences of unethical behavior to the system, the society, and the individual.
The following issues must be covered within the report: Cultural issues, (may include all areas of diversity including race, gender, sexual orientation and occupational culture) Historical context, include your theories on why the situation occurred Moral courage, (For example, – was there a particularly courageous individual involved?) Politics (Note, in this context "politics" referrers to the personal and/or group dynamics within a particular organization, community or similar setting. It does NOT relate to political parties or affiliation with any political party.)
Paper for above instructions
Part One: Introduction
Ethics and morality are central to the criminal justice profession, shaping the behavior, decisions, and integrity of individuals who hold positions of authority. While morality refers to personal principles regarding right and wrong, ethics encompasses the formalized codes, rules, and professional standards that guide conduct within an institution. This assignment defines and compares the concepts of ethics and morality, then analyzes a real-world criminal justice ethical incident—the 2013–2016 Baltimore Police Department (BPD) Gun Trace Task Force corruption scandal. The case serves as a powerful example of systemic ethical failure involving police corruption, abuse of authority, cultural influences, and organizational dysfunction. Ultimately, this paper concludes that unethical behavior in the criminal justice system erodes institutional trust, harms communities, and results in profound personal consequences for those who violate their professional codes. Understanding why such incidents occur is essential for developing stronger ethical cultures grounded in accountability, transparency, and moral courage.
Part Two: Description of the Event and Ethical Issues
One of the most infamous ethical failures in modern U.S. policing involved the Baltimore Police Department’s Gun Trace Task Force (GTTF). Established to reduce firearm violence and track illegal guns, the specialized unit instead operated as a criminal organization within the department. Between 2013 and 2016, at least eight officers were indicted on federal racketeering, robbery, extortion, falsifying records, and overtime fraud. Officers planted evidence, conducted illegal searches, stole money from citizens, sold seized narcotics, and falsified police reports to conceal their actions. The scandal revealed deep systemic issues, including unchecked authority, a toxic occupational culture, and failures in supervision and accountability.
The ethical issues involved in this case are extensive. First, officers violated fundamental professional ethics by abusing their power and betraying public trust. The law enforcement code of ethics requires fairness, honesty, integrity, and respect for citizens’ rights—standards blatantly ignored. Second, the officers demonstrated a collective moral disengagement supported by peer complicity, normalized misconduct, and a culture discouraging whistleblowing. Third, the incident reflects a breakdown in departmental oversight, as supervisors failed to identify or intervene despite numerous warning signs. Lastly, political and organizational dynamics—such as pressure to produce results and the glorification of aggressive policing—facilitated an environment in which unethical behavior could flourish.
Cultural Issues
The GTTF scandal cannot be fully understood without considering cultural influences. Police occupational culture has historically emphasized loyalty, solidarity, masculinity, and the “blue wall of silence.” These norms discourage officers from reporting misconduct and normalize behaviors that deviate from ethical standards. The corruption also intersected with racial and socioeconomic issues, as many victims were low-income African American residents of Baltimore—individuals historically marginalized by systemic inequities. Such disparities contributed to public outrage and reinforced longstanding mistrust between the community and law enforcement.
Historical Context
Historically, Baltimore has faced high crime rates, strained police–community relations, and racial tensions originating from discriminatory housing and economic policies. The department also struggled with federal oversight and lacked adequate training in ethics and community policing. These contextual factors created pressure to reduce crime quickly, contributing to an environment where officers felt justified in pursuing illegal practices to meet expectations. Theories that help explain the scandal include strain theory, which suggests that officers felt institutional pressure to achieve success by any means necessary, and organizational deviance theory, which argues that flawed systems—not individuals alone—produce unethical actions.
Moral Courage
Moral courage was largely absent within the GTTF, as officers who recognized wrongdoing were discouraged from speaking out or feared retaliation. However, moral courage eventually emerged from outside the police culture: federal investigators, journalists, and community activists who demanded accountability. Ultimately, it was a combination of brave whistleblowers and federal prosecutors—rather than internal police actions—that brought the truth to light. This reveals the difficulty of upholding moral courage in environments where loyalty to colleagues outweighs adherence to ethical codes.
Politics (Organizational and Social Dynamics)
In this context, politics refers to internal dynamics and power relationships within the department. Supervisors’ reluctance to discipline high-producing officers allowed corruption to grow unchecked. Informal politics influenced decision-making, promotions, and enforcement priorities. Officers in the GTTF enjoyed unofficial protection because they produced arrest numbers that made the department appear successful. Organizational politics thus reinforced unethical behavior, creating a cycle where misconduct was rewarded rather than punished.
Consequences for the System, Society, and Individuals
The consequences of the GTTF corruption scandal were severe and multifaceted. For the criminal justice system, the scandal damaged public trust, resulted in overturned convictions, triggered federal intervention, and highlighted significant oversight failures. Hundreds of court cases had to be dismissed because evidence was tainted. The case underscored the importance of ethics training, stronger accountability structures, and independent monitoring.
For society, the misconduct exacerbated distrust between minority communities and law enforcement, worsening tensions and reducing citizens’ willingness to cooperate with police investigations. Fear and trauma persisted among victims who had been robbed, illegally detained, or falsely accused. Communities already experiencing marginalization faced further harm, deepening social inequities.
For the individuals involved, the consequences included federal prison sentences, loss of careers, public disgrace, and long-term damage to families. Some officers expressed remorse, acknowledging that peer influence, departmental pressures, and organizational incentives pushed them toward unethical choices. Their actions demonstrate how personal morality can degrade when not supported by strong ethical leadership.
Conclusion
Ethics and morality are indispensable to maintaining legitimacy and justice within the criminal justice system. The Baltimore GTTF scandal highlights how ethical failures can emerge when occupational culture, organizational politics, and historical pressures collide. The incident demonstrates the devastating consequences of unethical behavior for individuals, communities, and the justice system. It also reveals the importance of moral courage, strong oversight, and a healthy ethical climate in preventing corruption. Ultimately, the ethical health of a criminal justice agency depends on leaders who prioritize transparency, accountability, cultural awareness, and the consistent reinforcement of professional values.
References
- Friedersdorf, C. (2018). The shocking corruption of the Baltimore Gun Trace Task Force. The Atlantic.
- U.S. Department of Justice. (2017). Investigation of the Baltimore City Police Department.
- Kane, R., & White, M. (2013). Jammed Up: Bad Cops, Police Misconduct, and the New York City Police Department.
- Piquero, A. (2020). Police corruption and organizational culture. Criminology Review.
- Weisburd, D., & Braga, A. (2019). Police Innovation: Contrasting Perspectives.
- Goldsmith, A. (2021). Accountability and the ethics of policing. Journal of Police Studies.
- Terrill, W., et al. (2020). Community trust and police legitimacy. Justice Quarterly.
- Miller, S. (2016). Moral courage in criminal justice. Ethics and Justice.
- Hickman, M. J. (2022). Police corruption in urban environments. Urban Justice Journal.
- Stinson, P. (2019). Criminal behavior of police officers. Washington University Journal of Law and Policy.