I agree with Perez. It is not misconduct because they are only creating an opportunity for one to break the law, but they are not breaking the law themself.
It seems like they are doing some great work I agree. The whole idea of catching those who would go after young children great. The means the group uses to catch the scumbags is very clever. It may seem immoral to some, but it has to be done. All the news reports of the programs efforts have been a major deterant, but it shouldn't stop there. If the idea works, then it should be expanded. The more it is brought into the public eye the better I say.
If law enforcement officers used PJ tactics would it be considered “noble cause” misconduct. I do not feel that using these tactics will classify "PJ" as being perverts as everyone may feel that they are. I think that it is the same tactic as setting up a myspace page to lure perverts in and repremand them in the right ways. There are those who may feel that the tactics they use are a bit extreme however if they are getting the perverts off the streets and preventing one less child from being abused in my opinion it is worth it.
Should organized volunteer groups come under the same Constitutional and ethical standards as criminal justice practitioners? There are definitely some limitations to this question. in one aspect there is a certain degree to which they should be held accountable for only because they both CHOSE to go into this field and to do the work that they do but the one aspect that stops them from being held liable is the fact that, they were chosen as volunteers to continue on with the line of work they were doing. The organization may not inflict the same rules on these people as they do the workers who are mandated to do it.
If volunteers regularly work with law enforcement, do they become adjunct to law enforcement and then, perhaps, should they be held to the same constitutional and ethical standards? You may want to research how and when someone becomes a law enforcement agent? there are certain steps that one must take to become a law enforcement agent and if those different steps and procedures are not met then how can they be held in the same respect as the law enforcement agents? In my opinion this would be a step down in rank for the officers who have gone through many test, procedures and obstacles to be in thier position and then a person who just has a few spare moments to give, is in the same postion just without the hard work.
Can you describe the tension between morals, values and ethics? Or, between the differing morals, values and ethics? Where do the two groups share similar values, morals and ethics? Where do they diverge? there will be tension of the three since you are putting someone that is sworn by law to carry out certain duties in the same respect as someone who is taking the time to do this on their own free will. If given the chance to go off and do what they wanted when they wanted, the volunteers would be more of the obvious answer out of the two of who decided they wanted to rebel against their morals and ethics. for this reason alone I do not feel that they should be held to the same standards. The morals in the two groups must be focused to the same basic goal, which is to be of assistance to the community and to work towards a goal of minimizing acts of crime. In the same manner I feel that they are all just humans so therefore there is a chance that they will do the same thing in the respect of falling into human ways and temptations which is something that some criminal justice officers tend to do because they are falling into human temptation.
1.If law enforcement officers used PJ tactics would it be considered “noble cause” misconduct.
I dont believe so, In other situations, entrapment or misconduct could be argued, like the undercover drug dealer, or undercover prostitute. Although, child molestation is very serious, and many would agree that these means are completely justified
2. Should organized volunteer groups come under the same Constitutional and ethical standards as criminal justice practitioners?
I say no, because criminal justice practitioneers, have higher responsibilities, given to them to regulate this groups. With the higher ethical standards our CJ practitioners bare with that comes greater benefits.
3. Do certain types of crimes and criminals diminish the need for the rule of law?
I believe everyone has rights and should be treated fairly, although some crimes such as sex crimes should be pursued more aggresively. Simply because its more serious than drugs and of course speeding. Statistically, if a child is sexually abused they are almost 2 times likely to abuse a child when they become older.
4.Can you describe the tension between morals, values and ethics? Or, between the differing morals, values and ethics? Where do the two groups share similar values, morals and ethics? Where do they diverge?
The only problem I have with PeeJ, is the cyber sex, i think thats taking it too far and disgusting. Because at the time, you are enabling this individual to fantisize about a child. I feel they should get them to the house and take care of business (arrest them). Other than that I completely support what they are doing. There not nearly enough police to patrol the whole internet. I see it as for every child PeeJay pretends to be thats one little girl who didnt get taken advantage of. Von Erk, says before he created the site, while blogging he would see many posts stating "any 14-15 year old girls interested in modeling" and thats when he came up with the idea. No everyone who they catch is not child molester, ive seen the show. But what about the Guys who have been convicted of similar charges, The guys who show up with alchohol, condoms and even a penis pump. WHAT ABOUT THE GUY WHO SHOWED UP WITH DUCT TAPE ? AND THE GUY WHO SHOWED UP WITH HIS LITTLE BOY?what would have happend to a girl if PeeJay wasnt there? I dont have a problem with what they do. If you do have a problem with them catching pedifiles because its "unethical", Then what do you call it when an older man is solicting a real little girl on the internet for sex? If an unethical act is going to be performed. I chose tricking the potential pedafile.
