| Despite reform efforts, police misconduct continues to be a recurring issue in the news media and law enforcement departments. Police misconduct produces financial loss and devastating effects on community relations. Law enforcement agencies have implemented several strategies to minimize the occurrence of deviate behavior; however, with minimal effect. One such strategy is the implementation of ethics training programs. The role of ethics training helps employees identify moral challenges in the workplace and provides guidance on how to navigate through these problems. In law enforcement, ethics training is not mandated; however, it is utilized in the academy and in-service training. There remains a gap in the literature as to whether police ethics training programs improve decision making and ethical behavior in police officers. The purpose of this study was to understand officers' perception of the value of ethics training on decision making in the workplace. This study examined the following research questions: (a) what training methods do police officers perceive as being most effective; (b) to what degree do line officers believe department ethics training has impacted their decision making; (c) to what degree do police officers believe ethics is openly discussed in their department; and (d) what is the relationship between frequency and length of ethics training and decision making? This study involved a quantitative methodology using an online survey. Survey Monkey was used to distribute the questionnaire and collect the survey data. The target population consisted of male and female officers over the age of 21, who served as local police officers within law enforcement agencies in the state of Minnesota. To analyze the data, a descriptive and correlative statistical analysis was performed on the information collected from survey responses. The research design encompasses a descriptive statistical and correlative methodological approach to providing analysis of relationships between variables. Variables studied include training frequency, length, methods, decision making, and open discussions. The results of the analysis revealed that officers' perceived ethics training was useful in helping them better recognize ethical issues and make ethical decisions. Additionally, it found that frequent exposure to ethics training does influence ethical behavior. The results also showed that most law enforcement agencies were intentionally engaging in open discussions on ethics and handling ethics situations when they occurred. Last, the analysis found case studies to be an effective approach to teaching police ethics and that some law enforcement agencies continue to rely on traditional lecture methods for ethics training. |
