Which factor might not affect ethical decision-making in policing?

Standardized procedures represent established guidelines and protocols that law enforcement agencies implement to ensure consistency and fairness in policing practices. These procedures are designed to help officers make decisions based on a common framework, which can aid in promoting ethical conduct. While they can influence how decisions are made, they do not inherently affect the ethical decision-making process in the same way that cognitive biases, public perceptions, and situational factors can.

Cognitive biases, for instance, can skew an officer's judgment based on preconceived notions or emotional responses rather than facts. Public perceptions can sway how officers interpret situations or prioritize their actions, possibly leading to ethical dilemmas. Situational factors—such as the environment or circumstances surrounding an incident—can also heavily influence decision-making; officers may be faced with pressures that challenge their ethical beliefs. Thus, among the options, standardized procedures are less likely to directly determine the ethicality of decisions compared to the other factors listed.