Professionalism & Ethics in LPSCS Careers
Course
Principles of
LPSCS
Units II and IV
 Law
Enforcement
 Corrections
Essential
Question
What are
workplace
professionalism
and ethics in
LPSCS careers?
TEKS
§130.292(c)
(3)(C)
(5)(A)(B)(C)
Prior Student
Learning
Identify core
values in the
workplace.
Estimated Time
2 to 6 hours
Rationale
Regardless of the field, all LPSCS career paths have certain standards by
which they operate and which they expect their members to follow.
Professionalism and ethics play a key role in a professional’s success within
an LPSCS agency. Without them, you could lose your job, lose business, or
be convicted of a crime.
Objectives
The student will be able to:
1. Define key terms associated with professionalism and ethics in
LPSCS careers
2. Interpret laws, regulations, and policies that govern LPSCS
professionals
3. Identify ethical dilemmas in LPSCS careers
4. Evaluate ethical situations in LPSCS careers
Engage
Have the class split into three groups. Tell the students that today’s lesson is
on professionalism and ethics in LPSCS careers. Have each group pick two
slips of paper out of a bowl. Before class prepare seven slips of paper with
one of each of the following clichés typed on each:
1. What goes around comes around
2. All’s fair in love and war
3. There are two sides to every story
4. It’s best to be morally neutral
5. You can’t teach someone moral values
6. All people are the same on the inside
7. Just follow your conscience
Place the seven slips of paper in a bowl or container. Remind the students to
keep in mind the purpose of the lesson and to complete this exercise with
that in mind. Have each group read the two clichés, discuss them, and write
down the following: what is true about the cliché, and what is false about it.
After 10-15 minutes, have each group present their ideas about their clichés.
Use the Presentation Rubric for assessment.
The following are ideas for a guided discussion:
1. What goes around comes around – Natural consequences vs. wishful
thinking; bad things happen to good people and good things happen
to bad people; there are no guarantees in ethics
2. All's fair in love and war – Justification vs. fairness; there are no better
times for fairness than during the critical times in life; ethics does not
justify unethical behavior
3. There are two sides to every story – True in disagreements and when
in court—getting both sides; regarding professionalism/ethics, inner
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4.
5.
6.
7.
conviction, taking a stand, and accepting responsibility are all very
important
It's best to be morally neutral – Don’t offend vs. conflict; no neutrality
in moral issues; what one person thinks is a good moral choice might
be what another thinks is immoral
You can't teach someone moral values – Inherited vs. learned; give
up any effort at trying; teaching by example, opportunities for
responsibility, and growth and maturity
All people are the same on the inside – ethics is about diversity and
understanding; have similarities, but also differences
Just follow your conscience – A gut feeling? Where does your
“conscience” come from? It takes hard work to figure out what you
should do, and doing it because you ought to; it’s not always easy to
make the ethical choice
Key Points
I. Professionalism
A. Definition – Exhibiting a courteous, conscientious, and generally
businesslike manner in the workplace
B. Ways to Exhibit Professionalism
1. Treat everyone (from all levels) with respect
2. Speak without judging, blaming, or demeaning
3. Listen with an open mind
4. Avoid gossip, name-calling, and offensive humor
5. Take responsibility for your behavior
II. Offensive and Disruptive Workplace Behaviors
A. Intimidation, threats, and bullying
B. Sarcasm
C. Excessive criticism, complaining, nitpicking, and negativity
D. Sabotaging other employees or departments
E. Faultfinding and blaming behaviors
F. Open hostility towards management or other groups
G. Frequent use of obscenities, cursing, and swearing
H. Gossiping or spreading rumors
I. Language, behaviors, or humor which demeans individuals or
groups
J. Teasing or making others the punch line of a joke
III. Ethics
A. Definition – A set of rules and standards that govern individual
conduct. It also establishes right and wrong, and good and bad
B. Ethical Goals
1. Integrity – Moral soundness, honesty, and freedom from
corrupting influences or motives
2. The values or beliefs of a person or social group in which they
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have an emotional investment; (either for or against something)
3. Morals are concerned with the judgment of right or wrong,
human action, and character
4. Trustworthiness
a) Honesty – prohibits stealing, cheating, fraud, or trickery to
get anything of value
b) Loyalty – moral responsibility to promote or protect the
interests of an organization
c) Integrity – treating beliefs about right and wrong as the
ground rules for behavior
5. Responsibility
a) Accountability – accept responsibility for decisions; don’t
blame others or take credit for work you didn’t do
b) Self-Restraint – willingness to take advance long-term
interests into account
c) Pursuit of Excellence – diligence, perseverance, good work
habits, and commitment to quality
6. Respect
a) Courtesy – treating others with consideration
b) Tolerance and Acceptance – acknowledging another’s
beliefs and differences
7. Caring
a) Consideration of others
b) Treat others the way you want to be treated
8. Citizenship
a) Contribution to the overall good
b) Charity support or volunteer work
c) Voting and jury duty
d) Reporting crimes
9. Fairness
a) Following procedures
b) Impartial treatment
c) Objective discipline
d) Equal treatment of each person
IV. Ethical Misconceptions
A. It is a personal opinion or belief
B. Legal equals ethical
C. It’s okay if it’s not specifically forbidden
D. Dilemma – Any difficult or perplexing situation or problem
E. Ethical dilemma – Any difficult or perplexing situation or problem of
an ethical nature
V. Personal Ethics
A. Specific moral choices (I will or I will not it)
B. Formed from cultures, families, communities, religious entities, and
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morals
C. Lying, cheating, stealing, tardiness, vulgarity, and being
inconsiderate, etc.
VI. Professional Ethics
A. Rules or standards governing a profession
B. “Work ethic”
C. No abuse of sick leave
D. Arriving early (allowing time for unforeseen circumstances)
VII. Workplace Behaviors are Governed by
A. Conduct
1. Personal behavior
2. The way someone acts
B. Laws
1. Authority-established principles and regulations
2. Established by the community authority
3. Applicable to its people
4. Legislation or custom
5. Recognized and enforced by judicial decision
C. Regulations
1. Law, rule, or other order prescribed by an authority
2. Prescribed to regulate conduct
D. Policies
1. A definite course of action adopted by an entity
2. Promotes expediency
3. A guiding principle for those associated with an entity
VIII. Dilemma Solving Techniques (Five Steps of Principled Reasoning)
A. Clarify – determine precisely what must be decided
B. Evaluate – distinguish solid facts from beliefs, desires, theories,
suppositions, unsupported conclusions, and opinions that might
generate rationalizations.
C. Decide – after evaluating the available information, make a
judgment about what is or is not true and what consequences are
most likely to occur
D. Implement – once a decision is made about what to do, develop a
plan of how to implement the decision in a way that maximizes the
benefits and minimizes the costs and risks
E. Monitor and Modify – monitor the effects of decisions and be
prepared and willing to revise a plan, or take a different course of
action, based on new information
IX. Professionalism in Law Enforcement Careers – Code of Ethics
A. As a law enforcement officer, my fundamental duty is to serve the
community; to safeguard lives and property; to protect the innocent
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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.
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 to 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 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.
I will never act officiously or permit personal feelings, prejudices,
political beliefs, aspirations, animosities or friendships to 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.
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 police service. I will never engage in acts of corruption or
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. 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. I will constantly strive to
achieve these objectives and ideals, dedicating myself before God
to my chosen profession...law enforcement.
–The International Association of Chiefs of Police
B. Hypothetical Situations
1. A police officer pulls over an erratic driver; determines the
driver is intoxicated; prior to arrest, the driver tells the officer
that he is a sergeant at a neighboring police agency; the driver
“reminds” the officer of “police brotherhood.” Should the officer
arrest the driver?
2. A police officer goes to the movies on his night off; the officer is
wearing a training t-shirt identifying his agency; a movie
employee says, “Go on in, officer. There is no charge.” How
should the officer respond?
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X. Professionalism in Legal Careers
A. Observe a fiduciary duty
B. Protect confidential information
C. Act competently
D. Avoid conflicts of interest
E. Use trust accounts for client money
F. Avoid sharing attorney fees with non-lawyers
G. Use due diligence
H. Refrain from direct communication with an opposing party who has
a lawyer
I. Avoid the unauthorized practice of law
J. The Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct –
http://www.law.cornell.edu/ethics/tx/code/TX_CODE.HTM
K. The Texas Code of Judicial Conduct –
http://www.courts.state.tx.us/judethics/canons.asp
L. The Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility of the Legal
Assistants Division of the State Bar of Texas –
http://txpd.org/tpj/38/column01.asp
M. Hypothetical Situations
1. A prosecuting attorney has filed criminal charges against a
defendant; the defendant goes to Defense Firm A to obtain
representation; a partner in Defense Firm A is married to the
prosecuting attorney. Should Defense Firm A represent the
defendant?
2. Judge Blue plays in a charity golf tournament; Attorney Gray is
scheduled to appear before Judge Blue in an upcoming capital
murder case; Gray donates a significant amount of money to
the charity golf event on the condition that he is paired up with
Judge Blue; while playing golf, Gray starts talking to Blue about
the upcoming case. How should Judge Blue respond?
XI. Professionalism in Correctional Careers
A. The following are links to Texas Department of Criminal Justice
regulations, policies, and procedures regarding the ethics and
conduct of its employees:
1. http://www.tdcj.state.tx.us/policy/ED0201.pdf
2. http://nicic.gov/Library/018456
3. http://www.tdcj.state.tx.us/vacancy/hr-policy/pd-22.pdf
B. Hypothetical Situations
1. You are responsible for 15 offenders on a work squad. While
out in the field, another officer arrives to transport an offender
back to the unit for an appointment with the institutional parole
officer. The officer yells out to the offender, “Hey, racial slur,
come here.” The offender says, “Don’t call me a racial slur.”
The officer replies, “I’ll call you whatever I want to call you, and
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there’s nothing you can do about it!” The offender pushes the
officer. The two begin to fight. You are armed with a shotgun
and tell the offender to lie down. The offender complies, and
there is no further incident. The captain later hears about the
fight and asks you what happened. How do you react?
2. You observe one of your friends pulling an offender in the sally
port, yelling at him, and punching him in the stomach. He tells
you that he is under investigation and needs you to back him.
He wants you to tell the lieutenant that he did not strike the
offender. How do you respond?
Activities
1. Read Horton Hatches the Egg by Dr. Seuss. Pass out Activity #1
Handout: Horton Hatches the Egg. Have the students complete the
handout. Discuss the traits the students list. Discuss who should get
custody of the baby bird: Horton or his biological mother. Use the
Discussion Rubric for assessment.
2. Professionalism Scenarios – the students will divide into three groups.
Assign one of the following careers to each group:
 Police Officer
 Lawyer
 Prison Guard
Have each group come up with a professional or ethical dilemma
scenario that could occur in their assigned career. Have each group
pick a means to present their scenario to the class (computer-based
presentation, role-playing, puppets, etc.). Have the groups present
their scenarios to the class. The Presentation Rubric may be used for
assessment. Have the groups lead a class discussion after each
presentation. Have each group member complete the Cooperative
Teams Rubric.
3. Pass out the Character Traits Activity Handout. Have the students
complete the handout.
Assessments
Professionalism and Ethics Quiz and Key
Cooperative Teams Rubric
Discussion Rubric
Individual Work Rubric
Presentation Rubric
Research Rubric
Materials
Professionalism and Ethics computer-based presentation
Horton Hatches the Egg by Dr. Seuss
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Horton Hatches the Egg Activity Handout
Character Traits Activity Handout
Professionalism and Ethics Key Terms
White Board/Chalk Board
Presentation materials or computer-based presentation software
Resources
Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct
http://www.law.cornell.edu/ethics/tx/code/TX_CODE.HTM
Texas Code of Judicial Conduct
http://www.courts.state.tx.us/judethics/canons.asp
The Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility of the Legal Assistants
Division of the State Bar of Texas
http://txpd.org/tpj/38/column01.asp
Texas Department of Criminal Justice
http://www.tdcj.state.tx.us/policy/ED0201.pdf
http://www.tdcj.state.tx.us/vacancy/hr-policy/pd-22.pdf
National Institute of Corrections
http://nicic.gov/Library/018456
Do an Internet search for the following: easy fun school Horton Hatches the
Egg.
Accommodations for Learning Differences
For reinforcement, the students will list terms and give a workplace example
for each. Use the Individual Work Rubric for assessment.
For enrichment, the students will research specific cases where police
officers, lawyers, and/or corrections officers have violated codes of ethics,
regulations, and/or career specific policies. Use the Research Rubric for
assessment.
State Education Standards
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Career and Technical Education
§130.292 Principles of Law, Public Safety, Corrections and Security (OneHalf to One Credit)
(3) The student formulates ideas, proposals, and solutions to address
problems related to law, public safety, corrections, and security in order to
ensure effective and efficient delivery of services.
The student is expected to:
(C) use critical-thinking skills to solve ethical issues identified in law,
public safety, corrections, and security;
(5) The student analyzes the legal responsibilities associated with roles and
functions within law, public safety, corrections, and security organizations to
demonstrate a commitment to professional and ethical behavior.
The student is expected to:
(A) examine real-world situations involving ethical dilemmas and
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professional conduct;
(B) explain laws, regulations, and policies that govern professionals; and
(C) recommend a strategy for responding to an unethical or illegal
situation.
College and Career Readiness Standards
English Language Arts
II. Reading
B Understand new vocabulary and concepts and use them accurately
in reading, writing and speaking.
1. Identify new words and concepts acquired through study of
their relationships to other words and concepts.
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Name______________________________
Date____________________________
Horton Hatches the Egg Activity
Please mark which traits are exhibited by the characters in the story. If any of the characters
display traits contrary to those listed, please list those traits in the box.
Mayzie Horton Friends Hunters Circus
Professionalism
Ethics
Integrity
Morals
Values
Trustworthiness
Responsibility
Respect
Caring
Citizenship
Fairness
Dilemma
Conduct
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Essay Question:
In a short essay explain who you think should get custody of the baby bird, Horton or his
biological mother.
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Name________________________________
Date___________________________
Character Traits Activity
From the list of character traits, please list a minimum of three desirable traits for each LPSCS
career. Explain why that specific trait is required by that profession.
Traits:
Professionalism
Morals
Responsibility
Citizenship
Ethics
Values
Respect
Fairness
Integrity
Trustworthiness
Caring
Police Officer:
1.____________________________________________
2.____________________________________________
3.____________________________________________
Explanation:
Lawyer:
1.____________________________________________
2.____________________________________________
3.____________________________________________
Explanation:
Jailer:
1.____________________________________________
2.____________________________________________
3.____________________________________________
Explanation:
Judge:
1.____________________________________________
2.____________________________________________
3.____________________________________________
Explanation:
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Professionalism and Ethics Key Terms
1. Professionalism: Exhibiting a courteous, conscientious, and generally businesslike
manner in the workplace
2. Ethics: A set of rules and standards that govern individual conduct; establishes right vs.
wrong and good vs. bad
3. Integrity: Moral soundness, honesty, and freedom from corrupting influences or motives
4. Morals: Concern with the judgment of right or wrong, human action, and character
5. Values: The beliefs of a person or social group in which they have an emotional
investment; for or against something
6. Trustworthiness: Honesty, loyalty, and integrity
7. Responsibility: Accountability, self-restraint, and the pursuit of excellence
8. Respect: Treating others with courtesy and acknowledging another’s beliefs and
differences
9. Caring: Consideration of others by treating them the way you would want to be treated
10. Citizenship: Societal contribution to the overall good
11. Fairness: Following established procedures, including the objective and equal treatment
of others
12. Dilemma: Any difficult or perplexing situation or problem
13. Conduct: Personal behavior; a way of acting
14. Laws: The principles and regulations established in a community by some authority and
applicable to its people, whether in the form of legislation or custom, and the policies
recognized and enforced by judicial decision
15. Regulations: A law, rule or other order prescribed by an authority, especially to regulate
conduct
16. Policies: A definite course of action adopted for the sake of expediency, facility, etc.; a
guiding principle
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Name________________________________
Date__________________________
Professionalism & Ethics Quiz
Answer the following multiple choice questions.
1. _____ Which of the following involves the values that govern a society’s attitude toward
right and wrong?
a. Ethics
b. Morals
c. Values
d. Integrity
2. _____ What are the means for determining what a society’s values ought to be?
a. Ethics
b. Morals
c. Values
d. Integrity
3. _____ What is exhibiting a courteous, conscientious and generally businesslike manner in
the workplace referred to as?
a. Values
b. Ethics
c. Morals
d. Professionalism
4. _____ What is also referred to as moral soundness, honesty, and freedom from corrupting
influence or motives?
a. Values
b. Ethics
c. Morals
d. Integrity
5. _____ The beliefs of a person or social group in which they have an emotional investment;
either for or against something.
a. Values
b. Ethics
c. Morals
d. Integrity
6. _____ Which of the following is not an ethical value?
a. Integrity
b. Irresponsibility
c. Trustworthiness
d. Citizenship
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7. _____ You show which of the following core ethical values when you tell the truth?
a. Responsibility
b. Citizenship
c. Trustworthiness
d. Fairness
8. _____ If you spread gossip, call other employees names, or use offensive language, you
are considered a professional.
a. True
b. False
9. _____ Which of the following activities would be considered unprofessional conduct?
a. Understanding the new policy on sexual harassment
b. Arriving for work 15 minutes late
c. Deciding which duties should be performed for the day
d. Taking responsibility for your decisions
10. _____ If it’s legal, it must be ethical.
a. True
b. False
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Professionalism & Ethics Quiz Key
1. A
2. B
3. D
4. D
5. A
6. B
7. C
8. B
9. B
10. B
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Name: ____________________________________
Date:_____________________________
Cooperative Teams Rubric
Objectives
4 pts.
Excellent
3 pts.
Good
2 pts. Needs Some
Improvement
1 pt. Needs Much
Improvement
N/A
Pts.
Participates in group discussions
Encourages others to join the
conversation
Maintains the pace of the discussion
to achieve goals
Shares ideas and thoughts
Offers constructive criticism and
recommendations
Credits others for their contributions
and ideas
Empathizes with others
Requests input from others to reach
an agreement
Expresses ideas and thoughts
Total Points (36 pts.)
Comments:
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Name_______________________________________
Date_______________________________
Discussion Rubric
Objectives
4 pts.
Excellent
3 pts.
Good
2 pts. Needs Some
Improvement
1 pt. Needs Much
Improvement
N/A
Pts.
Participates in group discussion
Encourages others to join the
conversation
Keeps the discussion progressing
to achieve goals
Shares thoughts actively while
offering helpful recommendations to
others
Gives credit to others for their ideas
Respects the opinions of others
Involves others by asking questions
or requesting input
Expresses thoughts and ideas
clearly and effectively
Total Points (32 pts.)
Comments:
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Name______________________________________
Date_______________________________________
Individual Work Rubric
4 pts.
Excellent
Objectives
3 pts.
Good
2 pts. Needs Some
Improvement
1 pt. Needs Much
Improvement
N/A
Pts.
Follows directions
Student completed the work as directed,
following the directions given, in order and to the
level of quality indicated
Time management
Student used time wisely and remained on task
100% of the time
Organization
Student kept notes and materials in a neat,
legible, and organized manner. Information was
readily retrieved
Evidence of learning
Student documented information in his or her
own words and can accurately answer questions
related to the information retrieved
*Research/Gathering information (if relevant)
Student used a variety of methods and sources
to gather information. Student took notes while
gathering information
Total Points (20 pts.)
Comments:
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Name:____________________________________
Date:_____________________________
Presentation Rubric
4 pts.
Excellent
Objectives
3 pts.
Good
2 pts. Needs Some
Improvement
1 pt. Needs Much
Improvement
N/A
Pts.
Topic/Content
 Topic discussed completely and in-depth
 Includes properly cited sources (if used)
Creativity/Neatness
 Integrates a variety of multimedia effects
to create a professional presentation
(transition and graphics) or appropriate
visual aid used
 Title slide, table of contents, bibliography
are included, using acceptable format
Mechanics
 Grammar, spelling, punctuation, and
capitalization are correct
 Image and font size are legible to the
entire audience
Oral Presentation
 Communicates with enthusiasm and eye
contact
 Voice delivery and projection are
dynamic and audible
Audience Interaction
 Presentation holds audience’s attention
and relates a clear message
 Clearly and effectively communicates the
content throughout the presentation
Total Points (20 pts.)
Comments:
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Name______________________________________
Date_______________________________________
Research Rubric
4 pts.
Excellent
Objectives
3 pts.
Good
2 pts. Needs Some
Improvement
1 pt. Needs Much
Improvement
N/A
Pts.
Question/goal
Student identified and communicated a question
or goal of the research
Research/Gathering information (if relevant)
Student used a variety of methods and sources
to gather information. Student took notes while
gathering information
Conclusion/Summary
Student drew insightful conclusions and
observations from the information gathered.
Information is organized in a logical manner
Communication
Student communicated the information gathered
and summary or conclusions persuasively.
Student demonstrated skill in the use of media
used to communicate the results of research
Reflection
Student reflected on the importance of the
research and its potential application
Total Points (20 pts.)
Comments:
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