Problem
Scenario:
You are a uniformed police officer and with your partner, (who is senior to you), are responding to a "breaking and entering" at a jewelry store. Upon your arrival, you check the store, find evidence of a break and no suspect's. You cal dispatch to notify the detectives for processing, prints, etc. and to notify the owner. While you are waiting for the detectives to arrive, your partner says to you, "How do you like my new watch?" Knowing he didn't have one upon entering the store, you ask where he got it. He states he took it from the showcase that was broken, and there are some more if he wants one. He states, it's a b/e the owner won't know it was us and blame it on the suspect and his insurance will cover it anyway, so no one will get hurt. If the suspect is caught, he will deny it, but regardless, if he is convicted that won't affect the outcome, so no one gets hurt, and we get watches.
1. Discuss if you would tell him to put the watch back? Explain.
2. Discuss if you would take a watch or not? Explain
3. Discuss reporting him to a supervisor or not? Explain.
4. Discuss doing nothing, whether he alone kept the watch or returned it to the showcase? Explain.
Reference: Pollock, J.M. (2022). Ethical dilemmas and decisions in criminal justice (11th ed.). Boston, MA: Cengage Learning.