Confronting Unjust Authority Case Study: An Ethical Dilemma

Confronting Unjust Authority Case Study: An Ethical Dilemma

Situation 1

You are a rookie police officer on your first patrol. The older, experienced officer tells you that the restaurant on the corner likes to have you guys around, so it gives free meals. Your partner orders steak, potatoes, and all the trimmings. What are you going to do? What if it were just coffee at a convenience store? What if the owner refused to take your money at the cash register?

The Case that is discussed is about the power and ethical dilemma. The new police officer should identify the problem and work according to ethics and his professional duty. The restaurant owner must be innocent and afraid of police that is the reason it does not take cash from police officer to understand the case we must analyse power and when it is ethical.

Power

Power is referred to as the capacity to bring a change. It derived from a French word “poeir” meaning to able to act. Power is the ability to perform the act effectively, also where the action is not required. It referred as controlling the environment. It implies authority, the possession of influence and qualities. The sources of power can be delegated authority, materialistic wealth, personal talent, abilities and skills, knowledge and social influence. Power forces individuals to perform what is asked and influences to apply.

When Power is Unethical

Evil usage of power becomes unethical. Power is a huge responsibility when it associates with a person that person has responsibility of the whole society, community, and group. Power should be used for the betterment; however, using power for own benefits and own values it unethical. Power is an addiction for those who want to see their selves' superior from the whole world. The right use of power is eliminating from our society. People have just starting thinking of themselves those who has power (Clinard, 1990). To force someone for illegal or unethical activity with the source and power called unethical power. The conception of power has always taken into negative perspective. Powers have changed the countries structures and made them completely opposite in a positive way. However, targeting people for own benefits and being cruel to them for own personal benefit is the unethical use of power (Clinard, 1990).

In consideration of this case, it can be said that the restaurant is being run by its owner, in order to earn profits. Therefore, availing free meals means that the restaurant is providing services to the police against a cost of the meal. Therefore, it can be said that this is an unethical practice. Though, the free meal is being provided against a favor for the restaurant by the police of patrolling around the restaurant, yet, it can be said that the practice of the free meal is unethical. This is said because of the fact that providing security to the people is the sole responsibility of the police department and the people working in ...