Law Enforcement Officer
“ETHICS, STANDARDS and
DEMEANOR”
Ethics General In-Service
TCLEOSE # 3930
2-hours
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PRESENTER
• Name:
• Background:
• Experience:
• Education:
See Instructor BIO
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Learning Objectives
Unit 1 Expectations
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
What is an Officer’s Oath
What does it mean to Serve and Protect
Define Moral Character
Define Public Trust
Unit 2 Ethical Terms
2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4
What is Behavior (Define)?
What is Ethics (Define)?
What is Integrity (Define)?
What is Honor (Define)?
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Learning Objectives - Continued
Unit 2 Ethical Terms - Continued
2.5 What is Courage (Define)?
2.6 What is Responsibility (Define)?
2.7 What is Accountability (Define)?
2.8 What is Prudence (Define)?
2.9 What is Trust (Define)?
2.10 What is Perception (Define)?
2.11 What are Standards (Define)?
2.12 What is Professionalism (Define)?
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Learning Objectives - Continued
Unit 3 Ethics
3.1 What is our Duty & Responsibility?
3.2 Private Life
3.3 Honesty
3.4 Example
3.5 Personal Feelings, Beliefs and Prejudices
3.6 Firm – Fair and Courteously
3.7 Symbol of Public Trust
2.12 What is Professionalism (Define)?
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Learning Objectives - Continued
Unit 4 Integrity and Professionalism
4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4
4.5
4.6
4.7
Abuse of Authority
Lying
Brutality
Sexual Misconduct
Loss of Evidence (Drugs or Money)
Alcohol or Drug Abuse
Deliberate Inefficiency
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Learning Objectives - Continued
Unit 5 Ethics - Behavior
5.1
5.2
5.3
5.4
5.5
Public Perception
Ethics is about Behavior
Behavior is determined by Accountability
Expectation Highest Standards
Must be Responsible & Accountable
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Learning Objectives - Continued
Unit 6 A.D.H.E.R.E.
6.1 Never Engage in Deceptive Practices
6.2 Monies, Personnel, Property or Equipment
for Personal gain.
6.3 Falsify Training Records
6.4 Money or Special Favors in lieu of integrity
6.5 Machiavellian Theory
6.6 Fraudulent Reimbursements
6.7 Personal or Partisan advantage(s)
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Learning Objectives - Continued
Unit 7 Professional Ethical Conduct
7.1 Integrity
7.2 Obey (comply) with the Law – No Double
Standards
7.3 Position or Favors based on Friendship
7.4 Qualifications not Favoritism
7.5 Equality of Justice
7.6 Avoid Discrimination
7.7 Abuse/Mistreatment of Citizen
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Learning Objectives - Continued
Unit 7 Professional Ethical Conduct
7.8 Sexual Misconduct
7.9 Romantic Relationships while on-duty
7.10 Confidentiality
7.11 Public Trust & Confidence critical
7.12 Joking vs. Public Image
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Learning Objectives - Continued
Unit 8 Risk Management (Decision-making
model) D.A.R.E.
8.1
8.2
8.3
8.4
Define
Assess
Respond
Evaluate
Unit 9 Practical Application
9.1
9.2
9.3
9.4
Scenario 1
Scenario 2
Scenario 3
Scenario 4
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Learning Objectives - Continued
Unit 10 Evaluation
10.1
10.2
10.3
10.4
10.5
10.6
10.7
Question & Answers
Test Review
Instructor Evaluation
Course/Lesson Critique
Administration of 25 question Post-Test
Must Pass by 70%
Grade Test
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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?
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“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.”
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Professional Ethical Conduct
Continued
• Public trust &
are critical.
confidence
If a citizen trust you they will tell you
things they might never tell another
citizen, friend or family member.
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Ethical Terms
• Behavior
• Ethics
• Integrity
• Honor
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Ethical Terms – Cont’d:
• Courage
• Responsibility
• Accountability
• Prudence
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Ethical Terms – Cont’d:
• Trust
• Perception
• Standards
• Professionalism
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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.
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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 selfrestraint; and be constantly mindful of
the welfare of others.
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ETHICS – Cont’d:
• I will be honest in (WHAT)?
• I will be exemplary in (What)?
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ETHICS – Cont’d:
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.
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ETHICS
I will never act officiously or
permit personal feelings,
prejudices, animosities or
friendships to influence my
decisions.
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ETHICS Badge of Office
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.
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Introduction
Law Enforcement Officers
are dedicated to the highest
levels of integrity and
professionalism.
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SYSTEMIC ETHICAL
PROBLEMS
in Law Enforcement
• Abuse of Authority
• Lying
• Brutality
• Sexual Misconduct
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SYSTEMIC ETHICAL
PROBLEMS
in Law Enforcement – Cont’d
• Theft
• Loss of drugs or
drug money
seized
• Alcohol/Drug Abuse
• Deliberate Inefficiency
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ETHICS – Cont’d:
• Police conduct determines
the public’s perception of
law enforcement.
• Ethics is about behavior.
• Behavior is determined by
accountability
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ETHICS - General
Law Enforcement Officers
working in any environment
are expected to adhere to
the highest ethical
standards of our
profession.
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ETHICS - General
Police Officers “MUST” be
Responsible and Accountable for
Their Own Professional Conduct
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Accountability
Demands
High
Ethical
Responsibility
Enforcement
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Professional Ethical Conduct
Law Enforcement Officers
should never knowingly
engage in deceptive
practices.
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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.
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Professional Ethical Conduct
and Integrity (Training)
Law Enforcement Officers should
never knowingly or intentionally:
• falsify training records,
• pay or receive money, for actual
training credit(s) he/she did not
receive or attend,
• to do any of the above is not only
a serious breech of ethics and
integrity; it is a criminal offense.
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Consequences
• Lose your TCLEOSE License
• Criminal indictment
 for person paying or offering
for person receiving
• Tarnish law enforcement
agencies image
• Other officers could lose their
TCLEOSE hours
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THINK
• Think Machiavellian “Will
the ends justify the
means”?
What will be the
“CONSEQUENCES”?
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Professional Ethical Conduct
Continued
• Law Enforcement Officers
should never submit
fraudulent requests for
To do so intentionally would
constitute a criminal offense
by law.
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Professional Ethical Conduct
Continued
• Law Enforcement Officers
should never use
institutional or professional
privileges for
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Professional Ethical Conduct
Continued
Law Enforcement Officer
should never accept or offer
favors that impair
professional judgment
or to obtain special
advantage.
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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
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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”
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Professional Ethical Conduct
Continued
• Law Enforcement Officers
should not interfere with a
colleague's exercise of
citizenship rights and
responsibilities.
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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
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Professional Ethical Conduct
Continued
Law Enforcement Officer
should never engage in
physical mistreatment of a
citizen.
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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
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Professional Ethical Conduct
Continued
• Law Enforcement Officers
should never solicit or
engage in sexual
misconduct
• or in a romantic
relationship while
on-duty.
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SYSTEMIC Acts of
Sexual Misconduct
•
•
•
•
Sexual Bribery/extortion.
Illicit sexual encounters
Sexual liaisons.
Voyeurism.
“Let me go and
I will ring our bell”
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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!
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Professional Ethical Conduct
Continued
• Be careful in joking and
playing around.
Certain actions could be
misinterpreted or perceived
the wrong way.
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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.
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Human Error Vs. INTENT
• Was the action an honest Human
Error?
• Was it
INTENTIONAL
with personal gain as
the motivating factor?
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RISK MANAGEMENT
Decision-Making Model (D.A.R.E.)
• Define
• Assess
• Respond
• Evaluate
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RISK MANAGEMENT – Cont’d
Decision-Making Model (D.A.R.E.)
Define: Identify (Think
about and describe) the
problem, challenge or
opportunity.
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RISK MANAGEMENT – Cont’d
Decision-Making Model (D.A.R.E.)
• Assess: What are your choices?
• What are the “POSITIVE”
consequences for/of your
actions/choices?
• What are the “NEGATIVE”
consequences for/of your
actions/choices?
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RISK MANAGEMENT – Cont’d
Decision-Making Model (D.A.R.E.)
•Respond: Based on
critical thinking
skills.
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RISK MANAGEMENT – Cont’d
Decision-Making Model (D.A.R.E.)
•Evaluate: Review your
decision from a “Best
Practice” standpoint
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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 me
me home”.
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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?
APPLY the D.A.R.E. Decision-Making Model previously discussed
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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
not
cooperating with
the POLICE.
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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?
APPLY the D.A.R.E. Decision-Making Model previously discussed
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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.
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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?
APPLY the D.A.R.E. Decision-Making Model previously discussed
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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?
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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?
APPLY the D.A.R.E. Decision-Making Model previously discussed
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QUESTIONS
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Post - TEST
• You will be administered a 25-question Test over
the material just presented.
• You must score 70% or better on this test to
receive TCLEOSE credit for this course.
• Test Review
• Instructions – Must Print name and PID# on each
page of your test.
• Grade Test (exchange papers with person sitting
next you – grader will indicate Graded by: and
insert his/her PID# on last page of Test.
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SOURCES
• Gerald R. Adams, Federal Bureau of
Investigation (F.B.I.) - Retired
• George D. Little, C.C.P.S.
• Gordon Graham
• Jack Ryan
• Black’s Law Dictionary Sixth Edition
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Researcher & Developer
George D. Little, C.C.P.S., MS C & CT, BS, BA, AS & AA
Master License Peace Officer PID# 12221
1SG/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: glittle1@satx.rr.com
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