Moral principles guiding appropriate conduct and decision-making in policing are known as what?

• A. Gratuities
• B. Ethics
• C. Grass-eaters
• D. Bribes

Answer: (B)

Ethics are the moral principles that guide how officers should behave and decide in the field, shaping actions even when the law doesn’t specify every detail. In policing, ethics cover honesty, integrity, respect for rights, accountability, and the duty to protect the public trust. Codes of ethics spell out these standards and help officers handle situations where personal gain, favoritism, or corruption could creep in. For example, ethics would guide an officer to reject gifts that could influence judgment, to report wrongdoing rather than overlook it, and to use force only when lawful and necessary, and done with fairness. The other terms describe improper conduct: gratuities are gifts that can bias decisions, grass-eaters refer to those who tolerate corruption, and bribes are illegal payments to influence behavior. Ethics provides the framework that prevents such abuses and promotes professional conduct.