ABSTRACT
This chapter explains the different theories of standards of ethics and the way in which each of these theories has an effect on the leadership role and how power is used to gain the specific outcomes desired by the police manager. It examines five ethical systems: utilitarian ethics, rule ethics, social contract ethics, justice ethics, and personalistic ethics. Leadership styles may be emphasized differently depending on the ethical system employed. The moral climate of the community affects the ethical conduct of the chief. It is vital to a law enforcement agency's morale to have managers using ethical guidelines to influence their decision-making, but it is just as important that managers be vigilant of unethical behavior among their subordinates. Many of the most common types of unethical police behavior come from gratuities and graft. Making policies to eliminate unethical behavior among officers will never completely eliminate deviant acts by police.
