Being a Patrol Officer Involves a Daily Onslaught of Choices

question 24

Essay

Being a patrol officer involves a daily onslaught of choices involving discretion. Imagine you are a patrol officer at an overtaxed department in a major city. It is the middle of February, and a nasty flu has taken out a quarter of your patrol officers. As a result, you've had to take on double shifts, which are technically not allowed by your department for more than three days in a row. It's been your fourth day and you are exhausted. It's a slow day and there's a place near a large cemetery where you can park and take a quick nap, which might help you clear your head and also keep you from getting sick. How do you determine whether to taking such a nap would be ethical?

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Definitions:

Financial Outcomes

The monetary results or consequences of business activities, including profits, losses, revenue, and expenses.

Financial Incentives

Monetary rewards offered to motivate employees to achieve specific goals or enhance their performance.

Team-Based

Involving collaborative efforts among members of a group working together towards a common goal.

Union Rules

The set of regulations and agreements that govern the operations of labor unions and the behavior of their members.