u/Eskits_ — reddlx

Hello everyone,

I am a Criminal Justice student at Fort Hays State University (FHSU) currently working on an assignment for my CJ Ethics course. My goal is to explore how ethical decision-making and professional discretion work in the real world versus how they are taught in the classroom.

I originally reached out to local agencies, but they are currently unable to assist with student requests. I’m hoping someone in this community (active or retired LEO, Legal, Corrections, Probation, etc.) would be willing to share their perspective.

The Request:

I need to gather insights on ethical challenges in the field. I would prefer a 15-minute Zoom call, but I am completely open to detailed written responses via PM if that fits your schedule better or if you prefer to remain off-camera.

I need to complete the interview portion by May 8th to meet my writing deadline.

Interview Questions:

You don’t have to answer every single one in depth, but detailed stories or "lived experience" examples will help me reach my 1,000-word report requirement:

Beyond the standard oath of office, what personal "moral compass" do you use to guide your daily decisions?

How do you balance rigid legal requirements with the expectation of "doing the right thing" in a community?

Which ethical framework (e.g., following strict rules vs. seeking the best outcome for the most people) do you rely on most?

Can you describe a time you had to use discretion in a high-stakes situation? How did you justify that choice?

Have you ever faced a "role conflict," where your professional duty clashed with your personal values?

How do you handle seeing a colleague make a choice that sits in an ethical "gray area"?

Where is the line between "necessary professional deception" (like in interrogations) and a breach of integrity?

How does your department's "unwritten code" or culture influence how new professionals handle ethical dilemmas?

Has the rise of social media and instant public scrutiny changed how you approach ethical decision-making?

What is the most common ethical pitfall that leads professionals in this field to lose their integrity?

How has your view of "justice" evolved after seeing the reality of the system compared to classroom theory?

What is one piece of ethical advice you would give to a student/rookie entering the field today?

Privacy:

You can remain anonymous in my report. I only need your general role (e.g., "Midwest Police Officer" or "Defense Attorney")