The Sisyphus Comments

What Is Your Definition of Ethics?

In the law enforcement profession, we give a lot of lip service to the concept of “ethics”. I have attended and taught numerous courses on professionalism and ethics and I have heard a long list of definitions of ethics. The one thing that I have concluded after all these years is that is ethics in not about a written “code”. It may not even be about a definition in the traditional dictionary sense.

Actually, I think that is much better, and more useful, to describe ethical behavior rather than to attempt to define “ethics.” My favorite description of ethical behavior is “doing right thing when no one is watching or when it is not the easy thing to do.”

Now that I have given you my favorite definition of ethical behavior, its your turn. Click on the “Comments” link below and tell the world how you define ethics or ethical behavior. I will give you a hint – it isn’t the definition that is important, its the fact that you took the time to think about it that demonstrates your commitment to being a professional and ethical law enforcement professional.