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Northern Essex Community College

Module 10 Writing Assignment

Review the assignment overview, learning objectives, directions, and submission expectations before submitting your work.

Overview

Ethics and integrity are foundational principles of professional policing. Law enforcement officers are entrusted with significant authority and discretion, making ethical decision-making essential to maintaining public trust and legitimacy. Throughout policing history, however, corruption scandals and unethical practices have challenged public confidence and prompted major reforms within law enforcement organizations.

In this assignment, you will examine the film Serpico (1973), which is based on the real-life experiences of New York City Police Officer Frank Serpico. The film explores police corruption, organizational culture, ethical dilemmas, whistleblowing, and the challenges faced by officers who attempt to expose misconduct within their own agencies. You will evaluate the ethical conflicts presented in the film and assess how the events portrayed contributed to changes in law enforcement accountability and oversight.

Student Learning Objectives

(These objectives support the assignment and are not the questions to be answered.)

  • LO1: Analyze ethical dilemmas, corruption, and misconduct within law enforcement organizations. (SLO5)
  • LO2: Evaluate how accountability, transparency, and organizational reform influence contemporary policing practices. (SLO6)
Assignment Topic

Using a video streaming service, locate and watch Serpico (1973). This film is not available through the course or the NECC Library.

After viewing the film, prepare an analysis of the ethical issues and organizational challenges presented throughout the story.

Your paper should address the following questions:

  • Who was Frank Serpico and why is he considered a significant figure in policing history?
  • What forms of corruption and misconduct were depicted throughout the film?
  • What ethical dilemmas did Serpico face during his career?
  • How did organizational culture, peer pressure, and the police subculture influence officer behavior?
  • What risks and consequences did Serpico face as a whistleblower?
  • How did fellow officers, supervisors, and department leadership respond to allegations of corruption?
  • What conflicts existed between loyalty to fellow officers and loyalty to professional ethics?
  • How did corruption affect public trust and the legitimacy of law enforcement?
  • What decisions would you have made if you were in Serpico’s position? Explain your reasoning.
  • What reforms, policy changes, or accountability measures emerged as a result of the events portrayed in the film?
  • How did the Knapp Commission and subsequent investigations influence police oversight and anti-corruption efforts?
  • What safeguards exist today to help prevent similar forms of misconduct and corruption?
  • Do you believe modern law enforcement agencies are better equipped to address corruption than agencies during Serpico’s era? Why or why not?

Your analysis should focus on ethics, organizational culture, accountability, and the long-term impact of the reforms that followed the events depicted in the film.

Acceptable and Ethical Use of AI
  • You may use AI tools to help identify historical information about Frank Serpico, the Knapp Commission, or police corruption reform efforts. All information should be verified through credible sources.
  • Your analysis must reflect your own observations and conclusions about the ethical dilemmas presented in the film. AI-generated movie reviews or summaries may not be submitted as your work.
Directions

Please read all instructions carefully before submitting your assignment.

  • Your paper should be 2-3 pages, using APA style, including 12 font and 1-inch margins.
  • A minimum of at least two (2) sources, with proper APA citations in a Reference Page and proper in-text citations.
  • Abstract NOT needed.
  • Organize your paper using an introduction, body, and conclusion.
  • Provide specific examples from the film to support your discussion of ethical dilemmas and organizational corruption.
  • Discuss both the historical significance of the case and its relevance to contemporary policing.
  • Submissions are checked against a Plagiarism Checker and AI Detector.
    • Direct quotes should not exceed 15% of the total paper.
    • AI Usage – you must use AI ethically. Papers written by an AI is cheating.
Submission Guidelines
  • Submit your assignment through the designated submission area.
  • Ensure your file is in Microsoft Word (.docx) or PDF format.
  • Review the grading rubric before submitting your work.
Important Reminder

Important: All work must be your own. Follow course policies regarding academic integrity and the use of outside sources or tools.