Final answer:
When an FTO takes a case of water after a dispatch call, the appropriate action is to report the incident to a superior immediately, as it preserves the integrity of the individual and the law enforcement agency.
Step-by-step explanation:
When you are on patrol with your Field Training Officer (FTO) and encounter a situation where your FTO takes a case of water after clearing a commercial burglar alarm at a grocery store, your immediate and moral obligation is to report the incident. Choosing to report the FTO's action to your superior is the proper course of action. It aligns with law enforcement standards of conduct which demand integrity and professionalism, regardless of the rank of the individual committing the offense.
Ignoring your FTO's action would compromise your integrity and that of the department, and participating in taking the case of water would make you complicit in the wrongdoing. Reporting the incident later without confrontation may seem like an appealing middle ground; however, it may allow the behavior to persist in the meantime, potentially causing further ethical breaches or placing others in difficult positions.
In law enforcement, one's duty is not only to uphold the law but also to ensure that fellow officers do so as well. Ethical dilemmas like this are common in law enforcement and can be challenging, especially when involving a superior. However, the integrity of the police force relies on each member upholding the highest standards of conduct. Reporting unethical behavior promotes accountability and the public's trust in law enforcement agencies.