OBJECTIVES
BLOCK: 500 Ethics and Professionalism
SECTION: 500 Ethics and Professionalism
TIME ALLOTTED: 4 hours
DATE EFFECTIVE: 04/18/2001
REPLACES: 02/06/1995
SYNOPSIS:
In Ethics and Professionalism, principles that should guide personal conduct are reviewed. The
application of moral principles, such as principles of fairness, honesty, and consistency are
discussed, as is an explanation of how to reason such situations through to a moral decision.
Objectives:
At the end of this four hour block, trainees will be able to meet the following objectives:
1.
List why this course is important to you.
2.
Define the term “ethics.”
3.
Identify and describe the six sources of ethics.
4.
Identify and describe the six pillars of character.
5.
List the five standards of ethical policing.
6.
Describe the difference between bribery and extortion.
7.
Describe the difference between grass eaters and meat eaters.
8.
Describe the three classifications of corrupt departments according to Sherman.
9.
List the two forms of sexual harassment.
10.
Discuss both sides of the debate regarding gratuities.
11.
Discuss the ramifications of Tennessee vs. Garner.
 Missouri P.O.S.T. Commission
Page 1 of 6
12.
List what the acronym “A.C.T.” represents.
13.
List the three ethics check questions.
14.
List the common statements neutralizing ethical conflict.
15.
List the five P’s of ethical power.
16.
List the three methods of preventing corruption.
17.
Be able to apply ethical means to decision making when given a problem-solving
scenario.
 Missouri P.O.S.T. Commission
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SOURCE DOCUMENT
BLOCK: 500 Ethics and Professionalism
SECTION: 500 Ethics and Professionalism
TIME ALLOTTED: 4 hours
DATE EFFECTIVE: 04/18/2001
REPLACES: 02/06/1995
OBJECTIVES:
1.
Lesson Plan -- Ethics Train-The-Trainer Course, Southwestern Law Enforcement
Institute, Center for Law Enforcement Ethics, Richardson, TX. Page 4
Career Survival
Career Development
Media Coverage
Community View of the Agency
In-house Dissension
Officer Survival
Peace of Mind
2.
Ibid. Page 7
Ethics is a code of values, which guides our choices and actions and determines the
purpose and course of our lives.
3.
Policing in America, 3rd Edition, Gaines, Larry K., Victor E. Kappeler, Joseph B.
Vaughn, Anderson Publishing Company, Cincinnati, OH, 1999. Pages 337-346
Justice
Law
Agency Policy
Professional Code of Ethics
Social Norms and
Personal Values
4.
Lesson Plan -- Ethics Train-The-Trainer Course, Southwestern Law Enforcement
Institute, Center for Law Enforcement Ethics, Richardson, TX. Pages 7-9
Trustworthiness (including honesty, integrity, promise keeping, and loyalty)
 Missouri P.O.S.T. Commission
Page 3 of 6
Respect
Responsibility (including accountability, pursuit of excellence, and self-restraint)
Justice and Fairness
Caring
Civic Virtue and Citizenship
5.
Ibid. Page 10
Fair Access
Public Trust
Safety and Security
Teamwork
Objectivity
6.
Policing in America, 3rd Edition, Gaines, Larry K., Victor E. Kappeler, Joseph B.
Vaughn, Anderson Publishing Company, Cincinnati, OH, 1999. Pages 355-356
Bribery – Police officers are offered something of value to influence their performance of
a duty. The citizen must initiate the offer to have an officer do or not do something.
Extortion – The officer initiates extortion. The officer requires a person who has
committed a crime to give them something of value.
7.
Ibid. Page 361
Grass-eaters engage in illegal activities only occasionally.
Meat-eaters aggressively pursued corrupt activities.
8.
Ibid. Pages 361-362
Type I: Rotten Apples and Rotten Pockets -- Individual officers use position for personal
gain; there is no organized effort among officers.
Type II: Pervasive Unorganized Corruption -- Individual behavior is not effectively
controlled; officers are not organized; and a significant number of officers are doing so.
Type III: Pervasive Organized Corruption -- Occurs when officers act in an organized
manner; requires either the active cooperation of police administrators or their passive
assistance.
9.
Ibid. Page 369
 Missouri P.O.S.T. Commission
Page 4 of 6
Requiring an individual to grant sexual favors, and hostile work environment.
10.
Ibid. Pages 371-373
Those opposed contend that it is an attempt to corrupt the officer in return for future
favors. Some believe that those who do not offer gratuities are denied the presence of
officers.
11.
Ibid. Page 378
Under this doctrine, police officers were authorized to use deadly force to apprehend any
person who had committed a felony if there was no other way to prevent their escape.
12.
Lesson Plan -- Ethics Train-The-Trainer Course, Southwestern Law Enforcement
Institute, Center for Law Enforcement Ethics, Richardson, TX. Page 11
A. – Identify Alternatives
C. – Project the Consequences
T. – Tell your story
13.
Ibid. Page 12
Is it legal?
Is it balanced?
How will I feel about myself?
14.
Ibid. Page 14
Denial of responsibility
Denial of injury
Denial of the victim
Condemnation of the condemners
Appeal to higher loyalties
15.
Ibid. Page 16
Purpose
Pride
Patience
Persistence
Perspective
16.
Lesson Plan -- Ethics Train-The-Trainer Course, Southwestern Law Enforcement
 Missouri P.O.S.T. Commission
Page 5 of 6
Institute, Center for Law Enforcement Ethics, Richardson, TX. “The Role of the Field
Training Officer.” Page 3
Applicant selection
Reinforcement of values
Active anti-corruption programs
17.
Lesson Plan -- Ethics Train-The-Trainer Course, Southwestern Law Enforcement
Institute, Center for Law Enforcement Ethics, Richardson, TX. Page 11
The students will be given a scenario and required to use the A.C.T. decision-making
model to determine the appropriate course of action.
 Missouri P.O.S.T. Commission
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