A written Research Paper relevant to the course topics is required

A written Research Paper relevant to the course topics is required. The research paper is limited to ten (10), double-spaced narrative pages; if the paper exceeds these requirements without prior approval, points will be deducted. The topic must be discussed and approved by the instructor (A Research Paper Outline is due in week two). The research paper is to be formatted as a Case Study Analogy:
– Abstract– http://rfptemplates.technologyevaluation.com/Abstract-vs-Executive-Summary.html
– Identify the Problem (Where is it coming from?)
– Analogies of the Problem write/state the problem.
– What do you think will happen if the problem continues?
–  A sample paper will be made available for format reference.
The research paper is to be written with Microsoft Word, using APA documentation/format. Written material must follow specific standards regarding citations of authors work within the text and references at the end of the paper; 12 point, Times New Roman, double spaced. Indent paragraphs five spaces to indicate a new paragraph. Please include a title page on all papers, with your name & the name of the assignment. Although numbered, the title page does not count toward the required number of content pages.
The academic growth of each student is of paramount importance at UI&U. In order to maximize this growth, it is required that all written assignments be original work created by the student for the expressed purpose of satisfying the requirements of this course. Revised papers from previous classes, projects adapted from job assignments (except with the permission of the instructor), and prior personal research projects are unacceptable, and will be considered under the University policy as academic dishonesty.
As a means of ensuring that the grade on your final paper reflects an outstanding score, be sure to address the Learning Outcomes & Competencies on the first page of the syllabus.
TOPIC OF RESEARCH PAPER:
Ethical issues with the Florida Highway Patrol’s use of SOAR overtime funds
SOURCE MATERIAL: :http://www.tallahassee.com/story/news/politics/2015/09/02/state-troopers-fired-forced-retire-overtime-probe/7160786

On September 29, 2014 the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV), Office of Inspector General (OIG), began a detailed review of spending and overtime monies allocated to the Florida Highway Patrol for the Statewide Overtime Action Response (SOAR) overtime program. The program was designed to pay eight hours per week to have troopers patrol particularly busy and dangerous areas of Florida’s highway systems. The concept was to bolster the enforcement efforts in these areas and thereby make the motorists safer through focused patrol techniques. In the beginning of fiscal year 2014, SOAR was discovered by the OIG to be hemorrhaging money while the number of traffic fatalities continued to rise in the designated patrol areas. The OIG investigation was begun and concluded in the summer of 2015. The results of the investigation pulled back the curtain on a large number of violations being committed by FHP troopers. It also revealed the ethical shortcomings of the command staff and administrators who had condoned unethical behavior for decades under the fa�ade of past practices. The common thought seemed to be what was done wrongly for years should be accepted today� or even worse, ignoring problems. By ignoring ethical shortcomings and problems, the Florida Highway Patrol in essence condoned the behavior.
The OIG investigated the top ten SOAR overtime recipients from each FHP Troop in a randomized effort to exam the dispersing of overtime fund and how they were expended. Of the top ten individuals, the highest three were subjected to a formal audit. The results of the formal audit were gathered through combination of available sources to include time cards, automated vehicle locators, digital dispatch records, productivity reports and the troopers own interviews. The results were stunning. Of the 36 troopers examined, the following statistics emerged;
15 troopers (42%) were found to be in compliance with SOAR overtime guidelines
The troopers in this case seemed to have lost sight of the Highway Patrol’s mission statement of We will promote a safe and secure Florida though professional law enforcement and traffic safety awareness. What was being committed was nothing short of theft of thousands of dollars of state funds through the conscious efforts of a small number of troopers. The separate issue not examined by the OIG (and all subsequent media outlets) was the complacency of the administration and command staff overseeing these troopers. An example of this would be the two troopers who were disciplined for having meal 13 troopers (36%) were found to have severely violated FHP procedures and an OIG investigation was initiated. Of these 13, 12 faced formal investigation. One sergeant retired prior to the initiation of the investigation
8 troopers (22%) were found to have violated minor guidelines and procedures and were investigated in house by FHP’s internal investigators.
13 troopers (36%) were found to have severely violated FHP procedures and an OIG investigation was initiated. Of these 13, 12 faced formal investigation. One sergeant retired prior to the initiation of the investigation
8 troopers (22%) were found to have violated minor guidelines and procedures and were investigated in house by FHP’s internal investigators.
The investigation showed 58% of the troopers involved in the audit knowingly violated the SOAR guidelines with 36% violating the program so badly, the OIG investigated the issue as a criminal matter. Some of the worst violations included;
– Troopers visiting family, friends, or girlfriends while claiming SOAR overtime
– Troopers spending as little as 15% of their logged overtime work period within the SOAR patrol areas.
– Troopers never even going to the SOAR overtime area
– Troopers spending as much as five hours stationary in one spot, executing no enforcement efforts
–  Troopers eating for extended periods of time without notifying dispatch of their location or that they were on a meal break
– Troopers working from their homes for as much as 4 hours during the SOAR overtime period
– Troopers were knowingly deactivating their automatic vehicle locators in order to remain outside of the SOAR areas for extended periods of time while conducting personal errands
breaks while on SOAR overtime. One of these troopers, a 34 year veteran of the patrol, said he has always had a meal break while working and this was no different. Attorney Sid Matthew represents two of the 12 being disciplined. He said both were following long-standing unwritten rules and that no one was goofing off on the state’s dime. “They paid overtime for 20 years for meal breaks, and now all of a sudden, they are changing their policies. The trooper in question even admitted to eating with his supervisors while being paid from SOAR funds for overtime hours. In this instance the supervisors endorsed his actions by not correcting them. This is only became an ethical issue when the same command staff recommended termination for the trooper based on the OIG investigation. In other examples, troopers remained at their residences writing reports from their prior shifts, while being paid from SOAR funds. When their investigation began four of the five offered the defense of past practices. They said they had always been allowed to remain at home to write reports in the past. Three had more than twenty years of experience with FHP and therefore understood what was expected and allowed. When the investigation recommended their termination, each identified key supervisors who endorsed their ical behavior permeated hundreds of law enforcement officials. The end result was the loss of hundreds of thousands of tax payer dollars with little or no results to show for the cost. When confronted with the behavior of the personnel under their chain of command, the supervisors and administrators had an opportunity to correct behavior and change past practices while also being accountable to their citizenry. Instead, the command staff overreacted and further cost the tax payers millions of dollars in litigation and law suit settlements. This entire case is an example of how ethical situations present themselves and can either be handled effectively and in plain view of the public, or they can be ignored or over reacted to and become scandalous and an embarrassment to all involved.
http://www.tallahassee.com/story/news/politics/2015/09/02/state-troopers-fired-forced-retire-overtime-probe/71607864/

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