ethics in security services security services. copyright © texas education agency, 2011. all rights...

Ethics in Security ServicesSecurity Services

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Ethical/Philosophical Theorists

John Stuart Mill– The business of ethics is to tell us what our

duties are– No system of ethics requires that the sole

motive of all that we do should be a feeling of duty

– Ethics is not intended to instruct people on how to act

– The good that is happiness is not merely the sum total of pleasures because there are important qualitative, as well as quantitative, differences among pleasures



Ethical/Philosophical Theorists (continued)

Jeremy Bentham - Classical Utilitarian– Pleasure is the only thing of intrinsic value to

people and is thus worthy of pursuit – Two important questions

• Good or bad consequences for whom • How we calculate the value of the consequences relies

on the fundamental principles to define what is permissible and what is prohibited

– The essence of morality is the strict respect for certain duties, and such respect supersedes any other goal

– Duty is distinct from pleasure, moral virtue is the supreme good, and moral worth is not measured by the consequences of a person’s actions




Immanuel Kant – German Philosopher– Relies on fundamental principles to

define what is permissible and what is prohibited.

– The essence of morality is strict respect for certain duties, and such respect supersedes any other goal.

– Duty is distinct from pleasure, moral virtue is the supreme good, and moral worth is measured neither by the consequences of a person’s actions




Lawrence Kohlberg– We develop morally just as we develop

physically– We are not born with the ability to understand

and apply moral standards to our actions; we develop it in the same way we learn to ride a bicycle or play baseball



Six Stages of Moral Development

Level One: Pre-conventional Stages– Stage One: Punishment and Obedience Orientation

• The assumption (typically by children) that powerful authorities hand down a fixed set of rules which one must unquestioningly obey

• Morality is viewed as something external to oneself

– Stage Two: Instrument and Relativity Orientation • Each person is free to pursue his or her individual

interests• Punishment is simply a risk that one naturally wants to

avoid



Six Stages of Moral Development (continued)

Level Three: Post-conventional Stages– Stage Four: Law and Order Orientation• Concerned with society as a whole• Emphasis on obeying laws, respecting authority, and

performing one’s duties so that the social order is maintained




Level Three: Post-conventional Stages (continued)– Stage Five: Social Contract Orientation• The belief that a good society is best conceived as a

social contract into which people freely enter in order to work toward the benefit of all• Introduction of basic rights and democracy into a

society




Level Three: Post-conventional Stages (continued)– Stage Six: Universal Ethical Principles Orientation• Principles utilized to achieve Justice• Principles of Justice are universal• Principles of Justice also require civil disobedience



Roles and Responsibilities of Security Professionals

Protection– Protect the people and property

under watch– A security guard who works at a

private residence protects the grounds and the occupants against possible intruders with preventative patrols



Roles and Responsibilities of Security Professionals (continued)

Prevention– Security guards attempt to prevent incidents before

they occur – Guards patrol the grounds of a property and observe

anything that looks out of the ordinary– In a mall setting, the guard will patrol the parking lot

and look for suspicious characters who may be attempting to break into vehicles or cause harm to a shopper who is returning to his or her car

– Their presence inside the mall may discourage potential shoplifters




Observing and Reporting– Security guards do not have the same authority as

law enforcement officers and may not be armed, depending on their work location

– If an incident occurs they should observe the activity and report it to the proper authorities

– They should never leave their watch area to intervene in an incident that occurs off of the property grounds




Inspecting – checking or testing of an individual against established standards– Sporting event– Rock concert– Airports




Administrative– Security guards may need to keep records of who

enters and exits a facility and provide them with visitor badges

– In some cases, they may be required to take an inventory of the products that are brought into the facility

– They may also need to take an inventory of merchandise at the beginning and the end of their shift to ensure that nothing has been stolen



Code of Ethics

To accept my responsibilities and to fulfill the obligations of my role– Protecting life and property– Preventing and reducing crimes against my

employer's business, or other organizations and institutions to which I am assigned

– Upholding the law– Respecting the constitutional rights of all persons



Code of Ethics (continued)

To accept my responsibilities and to fulfill the obligations of my role (continued)– To conduct myself with honesty and integrity

and to adhere to the highest moral principles in the performance of my security duties

– To be faithful, diligent, and dependable in discharging my duties and to uphold, at all times the laws, policies, and procedures protecting the rights of others




To accept my responsibilities and to fulfill the obligations of my role (continued)– To observe the precepts of truth, accuracy, and

prudence, without allowing personal feelings, prejudices, animosities, or friendships to influence my judgment

– To report to my superiors, without hesitation, any violations of the law or of my employer's or client's regulations




To accept my responsibilities and to fulfill the obligations of my role (continued)– To respect and protect the confidential and privileged

information of my employer or client beyond the term of my employment, except where their interests are contrary to the law or to this Code of Ethics

– To cooperate with all recognized and responsible law enforcement and government agencies in matters within my jurisdiction

– To accept no compensation, commission, gratuity, or other advantage without the knowledge and consent of my employer




To accept my responsibilities and to fulfill the obligations of my role (continued)

– To conduct myself professionally at all times and to perform my duties in a manner that reflects credit upon myself, my employer, and private security

– To strive to continually improve my performance by seeking training and educational opportunities that will better prepare me for my private security duties.



Private Security vs. Law Enforcement

• Private security is responsible for protecting private property or individuals

• Law Enforcement is responsible for protecting the public

• Each has a valuable role in the criminal justice system, but both serve a different function



Resources

• Texas Commission on Private Security http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/psb

• Code of Ethics, Task Force on Private Security: National Advisory Committee on Criminal Justice and Standards and Goals, 1976

• Introduction to Private Security: Theory Meets Practice, Cliff Roberson & Michael L. Birzer

• Introduction to Security (6th Edition), Robert J. Fischer & Gion Green

• Investigator/Officer’s Personal Experience• Do an Internet search for the following: northwest enforcement

armed officer’s training manual

http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/psb

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