Ética y doctrina policial: El discernimiento ético en Carabineros de Chile, Ethics and police doctrine: Ethical discernment in the Carabineros of Chile, Ética e doutrina policial: O discernimento ético nos Carabineros do Chile

<jats:p>This article analyzes the incorporation of ethical discernment into the institutional doctrine of the Chilean National Police (Carabineros de Chile), within a context characterized by a crisis of legitimacy, questions surrounding the use of force, and increasing demands for police professionalization. Using a qualitative approach, doctrinal documents, institutional publications disseminated between 2017 and 2025, and ten semi-structured interviews with retired officers and specialists in ethics and police doctrine were examined. The data were processed using open and axial coding, followed by triangulation of documentary and testimonial sources.   The results show that ethical discernment constitutes a doctrinal innovation aimed at moving beyond the understanding of police action as the mechanical fulfillment of rules and orders. This approach situates decision-making within the relationship between institutional obedience, reflective autonomy, and personal responsibility, especially in situations of uncertainty, pressure, or conflict. However, its implementation generates tensions within a hierarchical and disciplined organization, where informal practices persist that can limit the moral autonomy of its members. It is concluded that ethical discernment cannot be consolidated solely as a normative principle or training content. Its effectiveness requires organizational conditions that support ethically justified decisions, including practical training, impartial supervision, protection from retaliation, consistent incentives, and evaluation mechanisms that allow for the verification of changes in daily police practice.</jats:p>