Police Deception and Dishonesty: The Logic of Lying

Cooperative relations based on honesty and good faith are essential for any viable society, especially the police institution. However, the police have embraced deception, dishonesty, and bad faith as tools of the trade, leading to the erosion of public faith and the weakening of the police's legitimacy. In his book "Police Deception and Dishonesty," philosophy professor and former FBI Special Agent Luke William Hunt argues that many of our assumptions about policing and security are unjustified and that the widespread use of proactive deception and dishonesty is inconsistent with fundamental norms of political morality.

Format: Hardback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 22 April 2024
Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc

For any society to thrive, cooperative relations must be built on honesty and trust. This is especially true for the police institution, which is responsible for promoting justice and security. However, despite the importance of these values, the police have resorted to deception, dishonesty, and bad faith as tools of the trade. In fact, it seems that providing security is impossible without employing these tactics during interrogations, undercover operations, pretextual detentions, and other common scenarios. This creates a paradox, as it undermines public faith in the police institution and weakens its legitimacy.

In his book "Police Deception and Dishonesty," philosophy professor and former FBI Special Agent Luke William Hunt aims to solve this puzzle by challenging our assumptions about policing and security. Hunt argues that many of the beliefs we hold about these institutions are unjustified, particularly in the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, when state institutions embraced brutal rules and tactics in the name of security. The same holds true for the police, who are unjustified in their pursuit of security enhancements that rely on proactive deception, dishonesty, and bad faith.

Hunt demonstrates that the widespread use of proactive deception and dishonesty by the police is inconsistent with fundamental norms of political morality regarding fraud and the rule of law. While there may be times and places where dishonesty and deception are necessary in policing, Hunt argues that these instances should be much more limited than current practices suggest. He evocatively illustrates why these practices should be restricted, emphasizing the importance of maintaining public trust and upholding the principles of justice and the law.

In conclusion, the use of deception, dishonesty, and bad faith by the police institution is a paradox that undermines public faith and weakens its legitimacy. By challenging our assumptions about policing and security, Luke William Hunt provides compelling reasons to limit the use of these tactics and to uphold the principles of honesty, trust, and justice. This is essential for building a viable society that values the rule of law and respects the rights and dignity of all its members.

Weight: 488g
Dimension: 166 x 243 x 27 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780197672167