Ethics A study on Professional Behavior Ethics Strength
Ethics A study on Professional Behavior
Ethics Strength and Honor gladiator
Ethics “What we do in life echoes in eternity” gladiator
Introduction Ethics- The principles of right conduct, especially with reference to a specific profession or mode of life. Premise Be careful when you look into the darkness, for the darkness will also look inside of you. Until a firm ethical foundation takes precedent over our ambitions, our dreams, the convenience of the moment, our personal pride or anything that we build thereon, all will ultimately fall.
Ethics There is no "one best " decision that can be made in the stress of life. There are however principles that can guide us under all circumstances. These are our ethics. Goal. To create a foundation of understanding in the student for the necessity of an ethical code of conduct and to help the student develop their own ethical perceptions and commitments.
Objectives Comprehend need for an ethical code of conduct Understand the power of public perception and its influence on law enforcement. Accept your own bias and distortion and be willing to have a higher rule of ethics than your own perceptions, rationalization, or conveniences. Develop a commitment to a set of ethical guidelines and decide now how to face situations on a regular basis. Understand unfavorable stereotypes that are commonly held by the public and move to de-emphasize them.
Objectives Explain the law enforcement "code of ethics" and the reasons for them. Understand the nature of authority and how it is distorted. Understand the enfranchisement of force that is committed to the police as a public trust and the limitations that society demands. Function in law enforcement and handle the discretion that is afforded with a firm ethical foundation to guide that discretion.
Code of Ethics and Conduct Law Enforcement Code of Ethics As a law enforcement officer, my fundamental duty is to serve the community, to safeguard lives and property, to protect the innocent against deception, the weak against oppression or intimidation and the peaceful against violence or disorder, and to respect the constitutional rights of all to liberty, equality and justice.
Code of Ethics I will keep my private life unsullied as an example to all and will behave in a manner that does not bring discredit to me or my agency. I will maintain courageous calm in the face of danger, scorn or ridicule; develop self-restraint; and be constantly mindful of the welfare of others, honest in thought and deed both in my personal and official life, I will be exemplary in obeying the law and the regulations of my department. Whatever I see of hear of a confidential nature or that is confided to me in my official capacity will be kept ever secret unless revelation is necessary in the performance of my duty
Code of Ethics I will never act officiously or permit personal feelings, prejudices, political beliefs, aspirations, animosities or friendships influence my decisions. With no compromise for crime and with relentless prosecution of criminals, I will enforce the law courteously and appropriately without fear or favor, malice or ill will, never employing unnecessary force or violence and never accepting gratuities.
Code of Ethics I know that I alone am responsible for my own standard of professional performance and will take every reasonable opportunity to enhance and improve my level of knowledge and competence.
Code of Ethics I recognize the badge of my office as a symbol of public faith, and accept it as a public trust to be held so long as I am true to the ethics of police service. I will never engage in acts of corruption and bribery, nor will I condone such acts by other police officers. I will cooperate with all legally authorized agencies and their representatives in the pursuit of justice.
Code of Ethics I will constantly strive to achieve these objectives and ideals, dedicating myself before god to my chosen profession. . . . Law enforcement. Est 1956
Police Code of Conduct All law enforcement officers must be fully aware of the ethical responsibility of their position and must strive constantly to live up to the highest possible standards of professional policing. Primary responsibility of a police officer Act as official representative of government who is required and trusted to work within the law.
Police Code of Conduct Performance of the duties of a police officer To perform all duties impartially without favor or ill without regard to status, sex, race, religion, political belief or aspiration. All citizens will be treated equally with courtesy, consideration and dignity. They will conduct themselves in appearance and deportment in such a manner as to inspire confidence and respect for that position of public trust they hold.
Police Code of Conduct Discretion A police officer will use responsibly the discretion vested in his position and exercise it within the law. The principles of reasonableness will guide the officer's determinations. It is important to remember a timely word of advice rather than arrest-which may be correct in appropriate circumstances-can be more effective means of achieving a desired result.
Police Code of Conduct Use of force A police officer will never employ unnecessary force or violence and will use only such force in the discharge of duty as is reasonable in all circumstances.
Police Code of Conduct Confidentiality Whatever a police officer sees, hears, and learns of a confidential nature will be kept secret unless the performance of the duty of legal provisions requires otherwise. Member of the public have a right to security and privacy, and information obtained about them must not be improperly divulged.
Police Code of Conduct Integrity A police officer will not engage in the acts of corruption or bribery, nor will an officer condone such acts by other police officers. The public demands the integrity of officers be above reproach. Therefore police officers must avoid any conduct that might compromise integrity and thus undercut the public confidence.
Police Code of Conduct Cooperation with other police officers and agencies Police officers will cooperate with all legally authorized agencies and their representatives in the pursuit of justice, giving consideration and respect at all times.
Police Code of Conduct Personal and professional capabilities Police officers will be responsible for their standard of professional performance and will take every reasonable opportunity to enhance and improve their level of knowledge and competence
Police Code of Conduct Private life Police officers will behave in a manner that does not bring discredit to their agencies or themselves. A police officer's character and conduct while off duty must always be exemplary, thus maintaining a position of respect in the community in which he or she lives and serves. The officer's personal behavior must be beyond reproach.
Why do we need ethics? The law itself is a general parameter of society. Ethics determine the limits of acceptable behavior and the penalty for misconduct. Ethics provides for the behavioral icon of morals in a community. The law cannot take every situation and profession into account. Ethics provide the standard for a profession.
How do we determine the ethical standards within a community? Sometimes as a result of as bad act of another agency or the acts of someone within our agency. This in turn means the community sets the standard by default. We set the standard and live to the standard we set establishing solid guidelines to live by truly setting the example.
Recognition of problems and self evaluation: None of us are perfect. What is a trial for one is easy for another. We each must be on watch for problems.
What happens when we violate the public trust? The individual suffers hisher family suffer the community, state nation the agency suffers the profession as a whole suffers the violation weakens the public trust that take years to build.
What happens when we violate the public trust? How are we perceived by the public The degree of trust we enjoy The degree of public scrutiny we endure The degree of discretion we are allowed by law and policy Perceptions are reality Perceptions are not always as they seem Not only should we not do wrong but cannot have the appearance of wrong doing!
Perceptions What do you see? Which frog has a bigger mouth? Are you sure? Measure to find out
What do you see? This a picture of a vase? Or two faces looking at each other? Do you see both?
What do you see? Old woman or a young girl?
What do you see? Woman or Sax Player?
What do you see? Skull or girl in vanity?
What do you see? One or two faces
What do you see? Rabbit or duck?
What do you see? Indian? Eskimo?
What do you see? Facing toward you? Facing away from you?
Case studies Accepting Gratuities: Officer regularly stops at the coffee shop and is known to accept a free cup of coffee. It is Policy not to accept "free things. " You take a break with the guy and when he leaves he doesn't pay, nor are you or him presented with a bill. You are chasing a drug dealer who throws something out the window during the chase you note where he throws it and go back after he gets away. . . you find a sack with $5, 000. 00 in it. What do you do
Case studies You are off duty in a mall and see another officer on duty, who does not see you. He walks through a store, picks up apple and eats it and goes on walking out the door. What do you do? A bag full? A toaster? Its Christmas time and you find out one of your squad members is stopping at all the business and when you see him, his back seat is full of Christmas packages and you know he is accepting gifts. . . what do you do?
Case studies Alcohol An officer friend goes out after work with your squad out of uniform, drinks to much and becomes loud and obnoxious. He is obviously drunk. What do you do? The same officer meets you for coffee on duty and you think you smell alcohol on his breath about an hour into your shift he is not under the influence. What do you do?
Case studies Alcohol Your training officer drives to several different locations during the shift and goes inside for several minutes afterward he returns with a mouthful of mints, drives with the window down and does not allow you to get close to him. You believe he is drinking on duty. What do you do ?
Case studies Alcohol You receive a call that a car is off the road way and upon arrival find a minor accident. The person driving the vehicle is a police detective from a neighboring city. He has been drinking and advises he was on an undercover assignment and was drinking to fit in and it got carried away. What do you do?
Relationships case study An officer is sleeping around with everyone he can find, most of whom are not from very nice places. They are not careful what they do and you are concerned they could contract aids. Is it any of your business? Your partner stops a person for a violation and spends a long time with the stop and does not issue a ticket. Later in the week you see the officer on a date with the person on the stop. What do you do?
Relationships case study Your partner requests a meal break at their residence and invites you in. They explain that their sig. other has been on a trip out of town and they have stopped to have a "Quickie" so just wait downstairs until they are done. Your partner disappears and leaves you downstairs to wait. What do you do?
Relationships case study You are called to a loud party and fight. You arrive, contact the caller. The party is at your sergeants house. You find the sergeant and his girl friend have had a fight, the loud noise was a shot fired by the girlfriend from the sergeants duty weapon. The girlfriend is bruised and advises the sergeant hit her. He admits to hitting her because she had his gun and he was taking it away from her. What do you do?
Professional Courtesy case study You stop a vehicle that was traveling 10 mph over the limit. You find the driver is an off duty out of state police officer on vacation. What do you do? You set up radar and the first three vehicles you stop are 1 - Police Officer 2 - City Judge 3 - Police Chaplain what do you do?
Professional Courtesy case study You stop a fellow officer because the vehicle he is driving is weaving. He has been drinking and would not pass the FST. What do you do? You arrive at an officers home on a domestic and find the officer has hit their spouse. You also know the spouse is having an affair with a fireman and an attorney. What do you do?
Professional Courtesy case study You are at the scene of a burglary of a hardware store. You see your partner pick up two nuts and bolts worth about $. 25 and he states I have been looking all over for these as he places them in his pocket. What do you do?
Enforcement case study One of your team is always dogging calls and seems to always get out on car stops to avoid the HOT calls. They seem lazy and not willing to pull their weight. What do you do?
Enforcement case study A fellow officer is on a traffic stop for a long time and runs the driver for everything possible and then all the occupants which consist of the driver his wife and two teenage kids. He finally calls for back up and when you arrive you see the officer push the driver away from him and comes toward you and asked you to help him find some charge to put on this "scum bag".
Enforcement case study The driver tells you he was stopped for a license plate light being burned out and is very calm while the officer seems to become more out of control. The people in the car have come from a wedding and are not drinking. What do you do?
Enforcement case study You receive a call from a citizen who states he has been beaten up by the same officer from the previous stop. He has no marks that you can see, but is very angry and has been drinking. Later another officer confides in you that the officer did strike the man in the abdomen three times. What do you do? You are on the scene of the Rodney King incident what do you do?
Enforcement case study You are on the way to the jail with two in custody. A call comes out of shots fired officer needs assistance. You are the closest unit. What do you do? You are taking a prisoner to jail and he keeps spitting down the back of your neck. What do you do?
On duty regulations case study A fellow officer is a great cop is always there for you, but drives very poorly on the way to every call. You are stopped by a citizen who wants to file a compliant on a cop and he gives you the tag number of the officer's car. He says the cop ran a stop sign and then pulled into the local coffee shop. What do you do?
On duty regulations case study You are given a call about a domestic disturbance. The dispatcher advises they can here loud noises and crying but no weapon is involved. Should you speed to get there?
On duty regulations case study Your FTO goes with you on a call where there is a solid battery and one subject needs medical attention. You overhear him say for everyone to calm down and he tries to pass the call off as a disturbing the peace. It is evident he does not want to write a report, they are close to the end of the shift and is dumping the call. What do you do?
On duty regulations case study Does another officer lying about sick time affect me? the department? What should you do? Can sexual discrimination occur in the work place? If you see or hear it what should you do?
Other Ethical Questions Does racial prejudices occur in the work place and on the street? if you see it what should you do? If you have a weak case on a guy you know is guilty should you fudge the truth to put him away?
Other Ethical Questions What about overtime abuse, false mileage reports, sleeping on duty, personal business on duty, abuse of police equipment, false travel allowances, and the conversion of contraband to personal use? Are you responsible to police the world and your fellow officers too? Is there no arena where I can relax and be a human without being a cop?
Law enforcement code of ethics " I will never betray my badge, my integrity, my character, or public trust. " "I will always have the courage to hold myself and other accountable for our actions. " " I will always uphold the constitution and community I serve. "
Ethics Imagine where you want to be and it will be so! gladiator
Ethics It is not what you do when everyone is watching……
Ethics It is what you do when no one is watching! Murphy
Review 1 ethics: the principles of right conduct, especially with reference to a specific profession or mode of life. True or False? ______ 2. There is no need for a firm ethical foundation because, our ambitions, our dreams, the convenience of the moment, our personal pride l will ultimately win. True or false? _______ 3. There is always "one best " decision that can be made in the stress of life. True or false? ____
Review 4. There are principles that can guide us under all circumstances. These are our ethics. True or false______ 5. Officers must not care about the power of public perception and its influence on law enforcement. True and false_____
Review 6. Officer’s must not accept their own bias and distortion. True or False _____ 7. Officers must be willing to have a higher rule of ethics than your own perceptions, rationalization, or conveniences. True or False ________ 8. An enfranchisement of force is committed to the police as a public trust. True or False? _____
Review 9. Society does not require that officers understand nor limit the use of force. True or false? ____ 10. Officers must function in law enforcement and handle the discretion that is afforded with a firm ethical foundation to guide that discretion. True or false? ___ 11. The Primary responsibility of a police officer is to act as official representative of government who is required and trusted to work within the law. True or False? ____
Review 12. An Officer must perform all duties impartially without favor or ill without regard to status, sex, race, religion, political belief or aspiration. True or False? _____ 13. A police officer must not use any discretion vested in his position and exercise it within the law. True or False? _____ 14. A police officer will never employ unnecessary force or violence and will use only such force in the discharge of duty as is reasonable in all circumstances. True or False____
Review 15. Whatever a police officer sees, hears, and learns of a confidential nature will be kept secret unless he desires to share that information with confidants and friends. True or False? ______ 16. Police officers will behave in a manner that does not bring discredit to their agencies or themselves. A police officer's character and conduct while off duty is not the business of the department, the public or the community. True or False? ____ 17. Ethics determine the limits of acceptable behavior and the penalty for misconduct. True or False? _______
Review 18. We must exercise true ethics because the law can take every situation and profession into account. True or false_______ 19. Ethics provide the standard for a profession. True or false? ______ 20. What happens when we violate the public trust? A. The individual suffers, b. Hisher family suffer, c. The agency suffers , d. All of the above ____
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