Moral and ethical principles of criminal procedure and investigative activities during martial law in Ukraine

Abstract

Martial law in Ukraine has presented complex challenges to the law enforcement system, necessitating not only legal but also ethical reflection, as issues of legality and morality assume particular significance under extraordinary circumstances. The purpose of the study is to identify the specific features of law enforcement officers’ fulfillment of professional duties under an extraordinary legal regime, analyze potential ethical conflicts, assess the risks of violating professional and moral standards, and determine ways to improve the regulatory and organizational support for adherence to ethical norms in criminal-procedural practice and investigative-operational activities. The research methods include a systematic approach to studying the moral and ethical foundations of criminal-procedural and investigative-operational activities, as well as an analysis of scientific and methodological literature, and a structural-functional analysis of law enforcement agencies’ work under crisis and stressful conditions. Results. The study revealed that martial law presents several unique challenges for maintaining moral and ethical principles in law enforcement activities. In particular, the risk of human rights violations increases, conflicts arise between official duties and personal ethical beliefs, and the importance of clear guidelines regarding permissible methods of work and interaction with citizens becomes more pronounced. The article emphasizes the necessity of developing a comprehensive system of training and education for law enforcement personnel, which includes professional ethics training, psychological resilience, decision-making in stressful situations, and interaction with the civilian population. The study’s conclusions substantiate the importance of improving legislative and internal regulations of law enforcement agencies aimed at ensuring a high level of legal and ethical culture. The proposed recommendations lay the groundwork for the effective functioning of the state security system, enhancing public trust in law enforcement activities, and fostering a professional community capable of acting legally, ethically, and effectively even under extraordinary conditions.