Crimjust Slippery slope: What are some examples of the slippery slope, as it applies to criminal justice ethics? How can/should slippery slope issues be addressed from a leadership or administrative standpoint?

The concept of slippery slope is a metaphor used to describe the ways small ethical infractions can lead to larger and more damaging ones. For example, the question, "Does taking a free cup of coffee or a half price burger mean you are on a slippery slope to taking bribes from the guy who runs the local crack house?" relates to the concept of slippery slope, albeit in an exaggerated format (Smith, n.d.). The idea that accepting small gifts is innocent reveals fractured ethical thinking. If an officer thinks that it is alright to accept a small gift, then the cognitive process used can be extended to accepting big gifts.

The slippery slope concept is easy to understand. It is more difficult, however, to...

Ethics in law enforcement, or any other field, requires an organizational approach. The whole organizational culture must be taken into account, so that it is no longer normative for officers to accept small bribes or perks and thus fall down the slippery slope. It is especially important for leaders in law enforcement to set an example through their ethical behavior.
Discretion: What exactly does discretion mean from a criminal justice perspective? Is discretion related to being discreet, as in respecting privacy and confidentiality -- or is it more important to discuss discretion in terms of the authority to make decisions such as whether to prosecute, and which charges to bring against the suspect? Why is discretion important in criminal justice proceedings? What are some abuses of discretion that may occur, which could lead to…