Police Brutality in New Orleans

The New Orleans Police Department has a history of tension with the community due to both offenders shooting the police and the use of excessive force by officers. On March 22, 1990 Adolph Archie, a career criminal, shot and killed Police Officer Earl Hauck. A security guard shot Archie in the arm leading to his apprehension. When news spread of Officer Hauck’s murder numerous officers made death threats on Archie’s life. Archie was beaten and his death was declared death by police intervention.

The Archie case raises many issues of police ethics: using authority to avoid accountability for wrongdoing, using excessive force, allowing too much police discretion, withholding information in police subcultures such as the code of silence, and human rights violations against prisoners.

The deontological ethical position asserts that the means shouldn’t be used to justify the end. Deontologists focus on the morality of the actions themselves and not the outcome. Deontologists believe that ethics are based on obligation and duty. For example, the rookie officer who arrested Archie could use a deontological approach by stating that it is his duty to uphold the law. A renowned philosopher, Immanuel Kant states that morality depends on following absolute rules. In Archie’s case, the officer is focused on the morality of the acts themselves and not the outcome. Although most people would view the rookie the officer’s decision to not kill Archie immediately upon arrest as morally correct, this officer faced ridicule and resentment by fellow officers. This officer had to decide what was more important. He could be loyal to his co-workers and assist in assaulting Archie or he can uphold the law by equally protecting citizens from crime.

The Utilitarian ethical position asserts that sometimes the means should be used to justify the end. Another approach known as a consequential approach validates moral judgment based on outcomes of one’s actions. A consequential view would justify any actions as moral as long as the action leads to a good outcome. A consequential approach to viewing the case of police brutality against Archie is that police brutality is wrong because it led to Archie’s death. It also gives the police a bad public image and it is against the law. There is also the possibility of disciplinary actions such as lawsuits, suspension, loss of job, or even prison.

http://www.hrw.org/reports98/police/uspo93.htm