Roles, Standards, and Challenges – Upholding Professionalism in the Criminal Justice System
Civil servants, particularly police officers, have several duties, including enforcing the laws that have been enacted, which maintain public order. Secondly, police officers have the duty to ensure public safety by preventing crime, responding to emergencies, and arresting those who commit criminal acts. Similarly, there are other civil servants with their unique roles including correction officers, whose main role is to ensure security and rehabilitation of inmates by managing correctional facilities (Faulkner, 2014). Prosecutors are also civil servants who typically represent the state when there is a criminal case. Third, judges and magistrates, who are also civil servants, have the role of administering court proceedings and making sure that fair trials are held. Another civil servant is a defense attorney, whose role is to defend people accused of unlawful actions (Faulkner, 2014). Lastly, parole and probation officers are civil servants whose role is to supervise prisoners who have been released from prison or jail and assist them in reintegrating back into society.
I believe the standards and expectations of professionals in the criminal justice system have been set fairly. The current standards demand professional conduct, whereby these professionals have to meet high standards in integrity, ethical behavior, and necessary impartiality especially with the issues of systemic bias evident over the past several years (Galvan & Payne, 2024). Secondly, these professionals must undergo rigorous training and continuous education to keep up with evolving laws and practices. Finally, accountability is ensured through systems that address any misconduct. For professionals entering the criminal justice field, one way to live up to the current standards and expectations in the face of current challenges and trends is by undergoing continuous training, for instance, in cultural competency. Secondly, one could leverage technology, such as the use of body cameras, to enhance transparency, and lastly, seek and advocate for mental health support, seeing as criminal justice professionals, especially police officers, face death and witness violent acts every other day.
References
Faulkner, D. (2014). Servant of the crown: A civil servant’s story of criminal justice and public service reform. Waterside Press.
Galvan, M. J., & Payne, B. K. (2024). Implicit bias as a cognitive manifestation of systemic racism. Dædalus, 153(1), 106-122.
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Question 
Criminal justice professionals adhere to professional standards of conduct to manage their decision-making in the provision of civil service.
Roles, Standards, and Challenges – Upholding Professionalism in the Criminal Justice System
What is the role of civil servants such as police officers and other criminal justice professionals? Do you think the standards and expectations of professionals in the criminal justice system have been set fairly? Explain. How can professionals entering the criminal justice field live up to existing standards and expectations in the face of current challenges and trends?