Abstract:
This research aims 1) to study the police’s methods of moral development from
past to present. and 2) to study effective guidelines for developing policemen’s morality and for
solving moral problems among them. The methods of study consist of documentary research and
in-depth interview.
Results of the study under objective 1: documentary research shows that the
method of developing policemen's morality in the early period from the foundation of the Police
Department on was in the form of enforcing organizational regulations. Until 2525 B.E., structure
of morality and method of moral development were clearly stated for the first time in an order of
Police Department no. 1388/2525 (dated September 24, 2525). The structure consists of 11
components: policemen’s virtues, policemen’s value, policemen’s ideology, professional
principle of policing, and guidelines for the police profession.
Results of the study under objective 2: In-depth interviews show that experts who
are policemen thought that the problems and obstacles in moral development of policemen
stemmed from the lack of budget to launch a moral campaign to raise policemen's awareness,
insufficiency of personnel qualified in moral training, and ignorance of executives. Those experts
who are citizens thought that those in charge of curriculum management lack proper
understanding about moral development, financial support, and consultants.
The results reveal that the Royal Thai Police still lacks proper method of moral
development. The main method in use now is to have policemen sign up for refresher courses to
participate in religious practice to listen to sermons and do meditation. Therefore, it is suggested
that the Royal Thai Police develop the proper method that is responsive to the rapidity of change
in social values, culture, and environment.