Ethical dilemmas present significant challenges for law enforcement professionals in their daily work. The decision-making patterns in this field can either enhance community safety or pose risks to individuals' lives. In this context, the present study aimed to explore and analyze the ethical decision-making profiles of criminology students at a university in Western Visayas for the 2024–2025 academic year. The study focused on how these students approach moral dilemmas relevant to their future profession. Data for this exploratory-descriptive study were collected from 415 criminology students using a researcher-developed instrument that underwent rigorous validity and reliability testing. The analysis revealed that a majority of criminology students are principled decision-makers. Characteristics such as adherence to established rules, prioritization of justice, emphasis on individual rights, consistency in judgment, pursuit of accountability, and the imposition of penalties were notably prevalent among them. No significant associations were found between students’ ethical decision-making approaches and their gender or academic standing. These findings underscore the importance of thoroughly evaluating students’ decision-making behaviors, motivations, and character before assigning them to positions of authority within the field. It is essential to assess the ethical orientation and commitment of criminology students prior to their professional entry. Further research is recommended to identify the factors influencing decision-making among future criminology practitioners.