Law Enforcement Officer ETHICS and DEMEANOR Ethics General

Law Enforcement Officer “ETHICS” and “DEMEANOR” Ethics General In-Service TCLEOSE # 3930 2 -hours

PRESENTER • Name: • Background: • Experience: • Education: See Instructor BIO

Forward Like in our HISTORY it takes a special breed of person to be a Law Enforcement Officers. The RETORICA QUESTION is are you that person?

“Give FACT some people a gun and a badge and they think they are GOD’s gift to law enforcement, maintaining a child like attitude/demeanor believing the are in absolute control and authority; and that all should “FEAR: them. ”

OFFICER OATH On my honor, I will never betray my badge, my integrity, my character, or the public trust. I will always have the courage to hold myself and others accountable for our actions. I will always uphold the constitution my community and the agency I serve.

Serve and Protect • One of the main ethical responsibilities of law enforcement personnel is to serve, safeguard, protect and respect the rights of everyone. This responsibility can be seen practically through a law enforcement officer's response to crime victims or the most vulnerable members of society.

Moral Character • Law enforcement personnel must be examples of the highest order regarding integrity and moral character. Self-control, honesty, courage and putting the needs of others above themselves are just four of the qualities they must exemplify.

Honoring Public Trust • Law enforcement personnel must pursue the ethical ideals and objectives of their respective departments. They must realize that their badge of office is a responsibility given to them by the public to guard and honor.

Ethical Terms • Behavior • Ethics • Integrity • Honor

Ethical Terms • Courage • Responsibility • Accountability • Prudence

Ethical Terms • Trust • Perception • Standards • Professionalism

ETHICS DUTY & RESPONSIBILITY As a Law Enforcement Officer, my fundamental duty is to serve mankind; 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 persons to liberty, equality and justice.

ETHICS • I will keep my private life unsullied as an example to all; maintain courageous calm in the face of danger, scorn or ridicule; develop self-restraint; and be constantly mindful of the welfare of others.

ETHICS • I will be honest in thought and deed in both my personal and official life, • I will be exemplary in obeying the laws of the land the regulations of my department.

ETHICS • Whatever I see or 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.

ETHICS • I will never act officiously or permit personal feelings, prejudices, animosities or friendships to influence my decisions.

ETHICS • 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.

ETHICS • I recognize the badge of my office as a symbol of public faith, and I accept it as a public trust to be held so long as I am true to the ethics of the police service.

Introduction Law Enforcement Officers are dedicated to the highest levels of integrity and professionalism.

SYSTEMIC ETHICAL PROBLEMS in Law Enforcement • Abuse of Authority • Lying • Brutality • Sexual Misconduct

SYSTEMIC ETHICAL PROBLEMS in Law Enforcement – Cont’d • Theft • Loss of drugs or dug money seized • Alcohol/Drug Abuse • Deliberate Inefficiency

ETHICS • Police conduct determines the public’s perception of law enforcement. • Ethics is about behavior. • Behavior is determined by accountability

ETHICS - General • Law Enforcement Officers working in any environment are expected to adhere to the highest ethical standards of our profession.

ETHICS - General • Police Officers “MUST” be Responsible and Accountable for Their Own Professional Conduct

Accountability Demands High Ethical Responsibility Enforcement

Professional Ethical Conduct • Law Enforcement Officers should never knowingly engage in deceptive practices.

Professional Ethical Conduct Continued Law Enforcement Officers should never knowingly: • misappropriate, • divert, • or use monies, personnel, property, or equipment committed to his or her charge for personal gain or advantage.

Professional Ethical Conduct and Integrity (Training) Law Enforcement Officers should never knowingly or intentionally: • falsify training records, • pay or receive money, offer and/or receive special favors or other benefits in exchange/return for actual training credit(s) he/she did not receive, • to do any of the above is not only a serious breech of ethics and integrity; it is a criminal offense.

Consequences • Lose your TCLEOSE License • Criminal indictment Ø for person paying or offering Øfor person receiving • Tarnish law enforcement agencies image • Other officers could lose their TCLEOSE hours

THINK • Think Machiavellian “Will the ends justify the means”? What will be the “CONSEQUENCES” to YOU; YOUR FAMILY YOUR COLLEAGUES YOUR PROFESSION ?

Professional Ethical Conduct Continued • Law Enforcement Officers should never submit fraudulent requests for reimbursement, expenses, or pay. To do so intentionally would constitute a criminal offense by law.

Professional Ethical Conduct Continued • Law Enforcement Officers should never use institutional or professional privileges for personal or partisan advantage.

Professional Ethical Conduct Continued • Law Enforcement Officer should never accept or offer favors that impair professional judgment or to obtain special advantage

Professional Ethical Conduct Continued • Law Enforcement Officers should never falsify records, or direct or coerce others to do so. Law Enforcement Officers should never deliberately or knowingly misrepresent facts

INTEGRITY Is like “VIRGINITY” once it is gone it (will not come back) or at least it will never be the same again! “People can “FORGIVE” but they will not “FORGET”

Professional Ethical Conduct Continued • Law Enforcement Officers should always comply with the “LAW” Double Standard: Enforcing on others what you do not obey and follow yourself.

Professional Ethical Conduct Continued • Law Enforcement Officers should never accept a position or a responsibility on the basis of personal friendship or as a favor. For the ultimate price may be well more than you can afford.

Professional Ethical Conduct Continued • Position and responsibility should always be based on professional qualifications. • Law Enforcement officers must never show or appear to show favoritism.

Professional Ethical Conduct Continued • Law Enforcement Officers should not interfere with a colleague's exercise of citizenship rights and responsibilities.

Professional Ethical Conduct Continued • Law Enforcement Officer should never discriminate against a colleague on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, disability, or family status

Professional Ethical Conduct Continued • Law Enforcement Officer should never engage in physical mistreatment of a citizen.

Professional Ethical Conduct Continued • Law Enforcement Officers should not use coercive means or promise of special treatment in order to influence professional decisions or colleagues. Piety requires us to honor truth above our friends. “…Aristotle

Professional Ethical Conduct Continued • Law Enforcement Officers should never solicit or engage in sexual misconduct • or in a romantic relationship while on-duty.

SYSTEMIC Acts of Sexual Misconduct • • Sexual Bribery/extortion. Illicit sexual encounters Sexual liaisons. Voyeurism. “Let me go and I will ring our bell”

Who are you to tell me who I can have sex with? • I am your brother officer who wears the same badge as you do. Citizens do not see the person – they see the badge! • I am your partner and one who must place his trust in and life with you. OFF DUTY YOUR BUSINESS – ON DUTY EVERYONE WHO WEARS THE SAME BADGE’S BUSINESS!

Professional Ethical Conduct Continued • Law Enforcement Officers should never reveal confidential information unless disclosure serves lawful professional purposes or is required by law.

Professional Ethical Conduct Continued • Public trust & confidence are critical. If a citizen trust you they will tell you things they might never tell another citizen, friend or family member

Professional Ethical Conduct Continued • Be careful in joking and playing around with a citizens and/or brother & sister officers. Certain actions could be misinterpreted or perceived the wrong way.

Professional Ethical Conduct Continued • Be aware at all times of the responsibility to improve the image of the uniformed law enforcement officer in the eyes of the community rest in your hands.

Human Error Vs. INTENT • Was the action an honest Human Error? • Was it INTENTIONAL personal gain as motivating factor? with the

DEFINE & PROCESS • SCENARIO #1: It is 2: 00 am you get a call there has been a wreck in your coverage area. You arrive to see a brother officer in a wrecked un-marked car with alcohol heavily on his breath. He ask you look the other way and take him home He says “I am a sergeant take to home”.

DISCUSSION • How will (could) this action have a negative impact on you? • What are the negative consequences? • What should have been done? • How will you handle this action? • What can you do to prevent it?

DEFINE & PROCESS • SCENARIO #2: Your partner confides in you that last night he beat up a female black lesbian because she refused him sexual favors and he taught her a lesson. He tells you “She was just a worthless “black whore” who got what she deserved for not cooperating with the POLICE.

DISCUSSION • How will (could) this action have a negative impact on you? • What are the negative consequences? • What should have been done? • How will you handle this action? • What can you do to prevent it?

DEFINE & PROCESS • SCENARIO #3: You arrive on the scene and observe four (4) officers beating the hell out of a Hispanic male suspect; while five (5) other officers watched on and encouraged more beating – while making disparaging racial remarks.

DISCUSSION • How will (could) this action have a negative impact on you? • What are the negative consequences? • What should have been done? • How will you handle this action? • What can you do to prevent it?

DEFINE & PROCESS • SCENARIO #4: You are working in the Court Room and observe a young person wearing his pants well below the waste-line in blatant defiance of and in total disregard to Court Room dress requirements, how would you handle this?

DISCUSSION • How will (could) this action have a negative impact on you? • What are the negative consequences? • What impression (image) do you want to impart? • What should have been done? • How will you handle this action? • What can you do to prevent it?

QUESTIONS

SOURCES

Co-Contributors/Developers • Gerald R. “Jerry” Adams, Federal Bureau of Investigation (F. B. I. ) – Retired • Dan H. Tiller, Department of Public Safety (Trooper) – Retired, Former Texas Sheriff and Senior Instructor – Institute for Criminal Justice Studies (ICJS) – Retired and Senior Instructor, Law Advisory Group. • George D. Little, U. S. Army Military Police 1 SG/E-8 – Retired, Bexar County Sheriff’s Office – Retired, Director, Institute for Criminal Justice Studies (ICJS)- Retired

Researcher & Developer George D. Little, C. C. P. S. MS C & CT, BS, BA, AS & AA Master License Peace Officer PID# 12221 1 SG/E-8 U. S. Army MP (ABN) - Retired Deputy Sheriff BCSO– D. A. R. E. Coordinator - Retired Former Director, Institute for Criminal Justice Studies (Med. Ret) Deputy Chief, INTEL, DHS & Training BCCO PCT#4 Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D. A. R. E. ) Texas D. A. R. E. State Coordinator & Secretary Bexar County D. A. R. E. BOD International Counter-Terrorism Officer Association (ICTOA) – State Coordinator Cell: (210) 379 -4919 E-Mail: glittle 1@satx. rr. com