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Addressing Ethical Dilemmas in Union Leadership

Name of the Student

Department; Institution of Affiliation

Course Code; Course Name

Name of the Professor

Due Date
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Introduction to the Ethical Dilemma(s)

Presented in this case are two new proposals to increase accountability for law

enforcement personnel: the institution of a civilian review board. This is in response to the

incidents experienced in the organization concerning misconduct by some individuals. However,

as union president, there is a duty to represent the interests of members who feel these proposals

threaten their job security and undermine their professional integrity. And then there is also an

ethical obligation to consider broader community confidence in law enforcement and the

principles of accountability.

Stakeholders Affected

 Union Members: These would be officers or correctional facility workers who would be

wary of heightened scrutiny and job insecurity if such protections were to be removed.

 Community Members: The changes in police practices may be viewed as a road to trust

because they will see that they are being given a fair deal.

 Administration: refers to an organization tasked with budget management and dealing

with public disquiet about malpractices.

 Union Leadership: Caught between the need to protect the jobs of union members and the

perceived need of union members for transparency and accountability.

Proposed Solution to the Ethical Dilemma

Like the community, the union members are also worried about the balancing strategy

that needs to take place on their behalf. The agitation should not work towards the complete

elimination of the disciplinary protections but work with the administration to change them.
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Changed could put a system in place that would protect the officers from arbitrary actions against

them for improper behavior and at the same time ensure that just complaints of misconduct are

dealt with appropriately (USAID, 2020).

Also, by advocating its approval for a civilian oversight board for the sake of some

restrictions it will build community trust without violating or demonizing the rights of the

officers. Approval can be urged for an advisory board composed of seasoned law enforcement

personnel to ensure investigations into misconduct are impartially conducted with openness.

Actions Needed

1. Advocate for Modified Disciplinary Framework: Work with the administration to

maintain the disciplinary protections but implement open policies whereby only clear

evidence of misconduct advances a case.

2. Work Together on a structure for a Civilian Oversight Board: A civilian oversight

board that enlists law enforcement expertise in the decision-making process is

balanced and fair.

3. Better Training and Sensitization: Compulsory training on ethics and accountability

in the union will be encouraged, emphasizing the benefits of maintaining public

confidence.

Impact of the Solution

Union Members: The process will discipline members but safeguard them from arbitrary

disciplinary action - this could reduce resistance to change. Members may appreciate the union's

efforts in negotiating terms rather than allow the complete abolition of the protections as a

morale booster.
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Community Members: This would instill confidence in the public that wrongdoing would

be dealt with when there is representation on a civilian oversight board. This could go a long way

to rebuilding community trust and a sense of openness without being a turn-off for union

members.

Administration: By cooperating in this proposal, the union shows a responsible attitude

toward ethical accountability. It may facilitate discussions about budget allocations and stop

further loss of jobs. As a matter of principle, the collaborative approach can improve

administration-union relations and provide a better work environment.

Union Leadership- In a balanced solution acted on, the union's commitment is to meet

employee rights with ethical responsibility. It improves leadership credibility and creates a

culture that values fairness and accountability.

Reasoning Behind the Solution

This solution accounts for the union's responsibility to its members while considering the

general need for police accountability, as theorized by ethical leadership theories. According to

the moral leadership model, leaders should act with standards that foster integrity and

community well-being (Peter Guy Northouse, 2019). The union president balances disciplinary

protections and accountability to the community, placing the union president in a position of

principle for the benefit of all stakeholders. Studies of civilian oversight have also demonstrated

that balanced boards improve public perceptions of transparency without adversely or unfairly

impacting officer morale.

References

Peter Guy Northouse. (2019). Leadership: Theory and Practice. ScholarWorks at WMU.

https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/books/739/

USAID. (2020). THE EFFECTIVENESS OF POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY MECHANISMS AND

PROGRAMS WHAT WORKS AND THE WAY AHEAD.

https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/2022-05/Police_Accountability_Mechanisms_8.

5.2020.pdf