Why Ethical Security Practices Must Guide Every Decision: Insights from Christopher Armitage

Spokane, WA – [10 Sep 2025] – In an era where security challenges are evolving and public trust in law enforcement and security institutions faces unprecedented scrutiny, Christopher Armitage, U.S. Air Force veteran, former law enforcement officer, and author of The New Blue, stresses that ethical security practices must guide every decision within public safety and national security frameworks.

Armitage’s decades of experience—from high-pressure military security roles to frontline law enforcement assignments—combined with his academic achievements and published research, have shaped his unwavering belief that ethics cannot be an afterthought. Whether addressing public policy reform, disaster preparedness, or training models, ethical principles must serve as the foundation of every action, decision, and strategy.

Drawing on his thoughtful essays on Substack and Medium, where he reflects on topics such as community trust, leadership accountability, and ethical dilemmas faced by officers in the field, Armitage’s insights offer a roadmap for how security professionals can navigate complex operational environments while upholding integrity and public confidence.

Ethics Is Not an Optional Module—it’s a Way of Thinking.

Armitage argues that in many law enforcement and security settings, ethics is treated as a procedural add-on rather than a guiding principle. In one of his essays, he writes, “Ethical training is often tacked on after officers have already been trained in tactics, firearms, and emergency protocols. Yet real-world scenarios rarely offer clear black-and-white solutions—officers face ambiguity, competing interests, and split-second choices that demand ethical judgment.”

His experiences confirm that morally charged decisions are not exceptions but part of the everyday reality of security work. From interactions with civilians to crisis management situations where resources are scarce and stakes are high; officers and leaders alike are constantly balancing competing priorities. In this environment, a security strategy that does not embed ethics into its core is not only incomplete but unsafe.

Trust as the Bedrock of Effective Security Operations

For Armitage, ethics and trust go hand in hand. His Substack writings emphasize that public trust is earned through consistent, values-based leadership and transparent decision-making processes. “Trust cannot be mandated,” he explains. “It must be cultivated through actions that reflect accountability, fairness, and respect.”

In one post, he argues that ethical lapses are often the result of systemic neglect, not individual failures. He calls on organizations to implement ethical frameworks that support personnel when making difficult choices and encourage reflection rather than punishment. A security force that prioritizes ethical guidelines at every level creates an environment where officers feel empowered to act with integrity and where communities are more likely to cooperate with law enforcement initiatives.

Ethical Decision-Making in High-Stress Scenarios

Armitage’s writings also highlight the challenges officers face when forced to make decisions under pressure. His research on deception detection in law enforcement training underscores the cognitive dissonance many officers experience when their instincts conflict with established protocols or when institutional culture discourages ethical deliberation.

He advocates for scenario-based training models that simulate real-life ethical dilemmas, allowing officers to practice evaluating risks, managing emotions, and making decisions in ambiguous environments. “Training for ethics is not about memorizing rules,” he notes. “It’s about building the mental resilience to apply those rules when emotions are high, and time is short.”

Policy, Technology, and Ethics Must Align

Christopher Armitage frequently addresses the increasing role of technology in security operations, from surveillance systems to data analytics. In his essays, he warns that without clear ethical guidelines, the misuse of technology can erode civil liberties and compromise public trust.

He calls for integrated policies that balance innovation with privacy protections, transparency, and oversight. For instance, when adopting new data-driven tools, organizations must ensure that ethical considerations are built into procurement, deployment, and monitoring processes—not simply added after implementation.

Armitage’s work on anti-human trafficking also illustrates how emerging technologies can be leveraged responsibly, provided that policy frameworks and ethical standards are aligned. “Technology can enhance security efforts, but only if it is deployed with accountability at every step,” he emphasizes.

Leadership as the Ethical Compass

A recurring theme in Armitage’s Medium essays is the role of leadership in shaping organizational culture. He stresses that leaders must not only enforce ethical policies but embody them through their conduct and decision-making.

In his view, ethical leadership is demonstrated through open communication, inclusive decision-making, and a willingness to acknowledge mistakes and learn from them. These principles, he argues, are critical in fostering resilient security teams and building enduring community relationships.

Conclusion: Ethics at the Heart of Every Security Strategy

Christopher Armitage’s message is clear: ethical security practices are not negotiable, they are essential. In the face of increasing complexity, higher public expectations, and evolving threats, ethics must guide every decision, from leadership appointments and training protocols to technology adoption and crisis response.

By embedding ethics into the heart of security operations, organizations can build trust, enhance safety, and create adaptive, resilient systems that serve both officers and the communities they protect. Through his writing, research, and consulting work, Armitage continues to champion a principled approach to public safety—one where integrity is the most powerful tool available.

For more insights from Christopher Armitage, visit his Substack and Medium.