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Objectives
Define the terms ethics & professionalism.
Help new law enforcement officers address ethical and moral situations which could lead to behavior that would be considered unethical or immoral.
Develop an understanding of the need for standards of ethical and moral conduct within the law enforcement profession.
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Individual Exercise
The Ideal Police Officer Your elderly mother lives alone in a
distant city, over 2000 miles away. 1:30 a.m. two armed intruders forcibly
enter the back door of her home. Very frightened, she frantically hits the
panic button on her home alarm to summon police
What is one quality you want the responding police officer to have?
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Ethics The principles of honor
and morality; Accepted rules of conduct; The principles of conduct governing an individual or group.
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Ethics in Action
“Doing the right thing, at the right time, in the right way”
Example – “Golden Rule”
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Profession
“A vocation or occupation, requiring advanced training in some liberal art or science, and usually involving mental rather than manual work, such as teaching, engineering, writing, law, medicine, or theology”.
[Webster’s New Universal Unabridged Dictionary]
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Professions Professions or “callings”
require an ethical adherence to a code of behavior
Examples of Professionals
- Doctor
- Minister
- Social Worker
- Teacher
- Attorney
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Is Law Enforcement a Profession?
Based on what we have discussed so far, are law enforcement officers justified in calling themselves professionals?
Does law enforcement have difficulty being recognized as a profession due to the way our “customers” are treated?
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Pinning on a badge and wearing a gun does not make a professional law enforcement officer any more than one would become a doctor by putting on a white jacket and stethoscope. Professional status is not attainable by merely proclaiming that we are a profession.
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Ethical Qualities Honesty Respect Compassion Integrity Courtesy Diversity Trustworthiness Courage Empathy Fair
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Unethical Behavior
Dishonesty / Perjury Brutality Racial Prejudice Soliciting or Accepting Gratuities Violation of Laws or Department
Regulations Discourteous Conduct Misuse of discretion
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Unethical Behavior
Divulging confidential information Falsifying reports Excessive use of alcohol Extramarital affairs Gambling Illegal Drugs Theft
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Unethical Behavior
Violations of Civil Rights:
- Illegal search
- False arrest
- Right to an attorney
- Right to bail
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Unethical Behavior Consequences Lack of Respect Lose Credibility Discipline Loss of Police Certification Ends Careers Can lead to Legal and/or Civil
Consequences Family Disgrace
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Unethical Behavior Consequences Department Embarrassment
Fellow Officers feel emotional and professional impact
Your pride in yourself and your profession is lessoned or lost
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Making the right ethical decisions
Is my decision legal? Would I do this in front of my
family? Is this worth my job and career? What would I do if I were being
video taped? Will friends and family be proud of
this decision? Am I following the Golden Rule? How would I feel if I were the
citizen in this case?
Ask Yourself:
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Ethical Behavior; Are your actions right or wrong?
Know the Law
Know Department Rules and Regulations
Know the Golden Rule
Know the Code of Ethics
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Reporting Violations
If you do nothing, you are in fact condoning the activity
Reporting violations of conduct is your sworn duty. It is no different than violations of criminal law
We cannot expect citizens to believe we can police ourselves until we prove that we can
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Moral Courage
Refusing gratuities Refusing to participate in a cover-up Refusing to participate in ethnic or
gender-based humor or practical joking
Reporting violations of department rules and regulations or criminal law
In essence, moral courage is this:
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An Ethical Officer’s Motto
I will always hold myself and others accountable for having the courage and dedication to always do the right thing.