POLICE ETHICS
Lieutenant John Manago
Loveland Police Department
Course Outline
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Instructor Introduction
Course Objectives
Ethical Perspective
Pre-Test
Definitions- Ethics, Values
Law Enforcement Code of Ethics
Ethical Standards of Police Officers
Unethical Behaviors of Police Officers (Code
of Silence, Gratuities, Use of Force)
Correct Handling of Unethical Behavior
Course Outline Cont.
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Application- tools for moral decision
making
Department Values
Scenarios
Test
Evaluation
Course Objectives
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The student will be able to define the term Law Enforcement
Code of Ethics and identify the purpose of the code..
The student will be able to name at least 5 provisions of the
Law Enforcement Code of Ethics as presented in class and
discuss why they are important.
The student will be able to discuss the components of unethical
behavior of police officers.
The student will be able to discuss the correct methods of
handling unethical behavior among police officers.
The student will be able to identify and discuss the tools for
moral decision making.
The student will be able to identify and discuss Department
Values.
Ethical Perspective
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Why have this class?
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Career Survival
Understand Department Expectations
Ethics
Ethics- a set of moral principles or values
 Values- norms, things that are held as
important. LPD Values
 Where do ethics come from- values,
standards norms of society. Different in
different cultures, location, and era
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Law Enforcement Code of Ethics
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Definition- the principals of conduct
governing an individual or group (Law
Enforcement Professionals)
What is the purpose of the code- a clear
statement of who we are and what we
believe
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Established Values- taught, instilled, reinforced,
rewarded
Build Integrity- recognized, reinforced, rewarded
Affect attitudes- change, modify
Affect Behavior- monitor, regulate
Ethical Standards of Police Officer
Provisions of the Code
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Primary Responsibilities of a Police Officer
Performance of the Duties of a Police Officer
Discretion
Use of Force
Confidentiality
Integrity
Cooperation with Other Officers and Agencies
Personal/Professional Capabilities
Private Life
Ethical Standards of Police Officers
Cont.
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Why are these important?
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b.
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Human Life- compassion, caring, life
threatening
Integrity- honest, truthful, high ethical
standards
Constitution- liberty, equality, and justice
Accountability- community role model, I.A.
investigations, acknowledge mistakes
Unethical Behavior of Police Officers
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Code of Silence
Gratuities
Lies
Excessive Force
Double Standard- Above the Law
Problems associated with these behaviors
Ostracized by peers
Loss of integrity
Civil Suits
Misperceptions of officers
Correct Handling of Unethical
Behavior
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Reporting- External/Internal
Internal Affairs Investigations
Training
Disciplinary action
Why is this important- maintain values,
integrity, and accountability
Application
Do you agree with the Code of Ethics?
 Do you agree with the double standards
for police officers?
 Do you understand the importance of the
code? It is what stands between the
good and the bad guys.
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Application
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Tools for moral decision making*.
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The Bell
The Book
The Candle
The Camera
*Reputable Conduct, John R. Jones, Daniel P. Carlson
Department Values
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What are the things we value?
The Law
Communication
The People We Serve and Each Other
Organizational Excellence
Our Public Image
Scenarios
Evaluation
Test review
 Test
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