Officer Survival:
Ethical Considerations for Long Term Careers
By
Inspector J. Hutt
July 12, 2007
Class Survey
• How many of you are planning on retiring
from this agency?
• How many of you are planning to promote
and retire at a higher pay grade?
• How many of you have (or will have)
family members who depend on your
employment for health care benefits or
financial support?
Why is this important?
• Statistically speaking, we have employees
that will not survive a full career due to
poor judgment. (currently about 1%/year)
• In the last 3 1/2 years we have lost 24
employees (Termination or Resignation)
for VBDS violations.
• In the last 10 years, we have lost one
current & 3 former employees to suicide.
My Goal?
• To help you avoid making a career ending
mistake.
• Everybody retires under honorable
conditions.
Fundamentals of Ethical
Expectations
• ACSO Law Enforcement Code of Ethics
• ACSO Rules of Conduct
• ACSO Disciplinary Process
• ACSO Awards Process
ACSO Law Enforcement
Code of Ethics
• As a member of the law enforcement
profession, 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 people to liberty,
equality and justice.
Code of Ethics (cont)
• I will keep my private life unsullied as an example to all;
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 in
both my personal and official life. I will be exemplary in
obeying the laws of the land 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.
Code of Ethics (cont)
• I will never act officiously or permit personal
feelings, prejudices, animosities or friendship 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.
Code of Ethics (cont)
• 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 law enforcement. I will
constantly strive to achieve these
objectives and ideals, dedicating myself
before God to my chosen
profession..............law enforcement.
ACSO Rules of Conduct
• VALUE BASED DIRECTIVE SYSTEM: Any
Sheriff's Office policy, procedure,
memorandum, email, job description,
performance anchor, post order,
instructional material or instructions, law
enforcement code of ethics, or
supervisor’s directive, either oral or written
that serves to direct or guide a member's
actions.
Rules of Conduct (cont)
• 1. Compliance with Sheriff's Office Value Based
•
•
Directive System
Members of the Sheriff's Office shall maintain
familiarity with, perform their duties according to, and
conduct themselves within the framework of the Sheriff's
Office Value Based Directive System.
Each member of the agency shall maintain
familiarity with, and obey all rules, regulations, lawful
orders and directives. A member shall not commit or
omit any acts that violate any rule, regulation, order or
directive; nor shall aid or abet another to do so.
Rules of Conduct (cont)
• 2. Lawful Conduct
• Members shall conduct themselves in a
lawful manner. Members shall obey the
laws of the United States of America and
of any state or local jurisdiction. A
criminal conviction for violation of a law is
prima facia evidence of a violation of this
rule.
Rules of Conduct (cont)
• 3. Truthfulness
• Members shall be truthful in all matters
associated with the Sheriff's Office.
Rules of Conduct (cont)
• 4. Respect for Others
• Members shall treat others courteously,
with fairness and respect.
Rules of Conduct (cont)
• 5. Public Trust and Authority
•
Members are entrusted to non-abusively safeguard
•
the authority and public trust vested in them and other
members. Members shall always use their position,
resources, and credentials appropriately. Members shall
not make promises or arrangements with a suspect, or
between a suspect and a victim, intended to permit the
suspect to escape prosecution, without the knowledge
and authority of supervisory personnel and the Office of
District Attorney.
Each member shall faithfully and properly perform all
duties.
Rules of Conduct (cont)
• 6. Gifts and Gratuities 4-ALDF-7C-02,
• Members shall not use their Sheriff's Office status to
seek or accept for themselves or others, any favors,
gifts, benefits, rewards or gratuities which may
compromise the member's position and/or would not
ordinarily be afforded the public. A gratuity is defined as
a free or reduced price service, or item given to or
accepted by an identified member of the agency with the
anticipation of influencing or gaining additional presence
or service from the member or other members of the
agency. No members or contractors will use their official
position to secure privileges for themselves. <4-ALDF7C-02>
Rules of Conduct (cont)
• 7. Adherence to Orders - Members shall
obey lawful orders given by supervisors,
acting supervisors and trainers to those in
training. In some cases, orders may be
issued by a member with seniority.
<12.1.3> <P.2.1.3>
Rules of Conduct (cont)
• 8. Conduct
–
•
On and Off Duty
Members shall use reasonable
judgment and refrain from conduct that
reflects unfavorably upon the Sheriff's Office.
Regulations in this section shall apply to the
conduct of members both on and off duty. This
type of conduct includes:<P.3.2.10>
Rules of Conduct (cont)
• A. Brings the Sheriff's Office into
disrepute
• B. Reflects discredit upon the individual
as a member of the Sheriff's Office
• C. Tends to impair the operation,
effectiveness or efficiency of the Sheriff's
Office or its members.
Rules of Conduct (cont)
• 9. Cooperation in Investigations
• Members shall assist and cooperate
with any Sheriff's Office authorized
investigation.
Rules of Conduct (cont)
• 10.Security of Information
•
Members shall treat the official
business of the Sheriff's Office as
confidential. Members do not:
Rules of Conduct (cont)
• a. Access, review or remove any report or
•
•
record for other than Sheriff's Office purposes;
b. Communicate any information that may
jeopardize an investigation, arrest, law
enforcement action or prosecution, or which
may aid a person to escape, destroy or remove
evidence
c. Communicate any information that may
endanger the safety or well being of others or
jeopardize the operation of the Sheriff's Office.
Overview of Disciplinary Process
• Review Disciplinary Process Presentation
Overview of Awards Process
• Review presentation of Awards Process
Career Survival Tips
• If you find yourself in an ethical dilemma:
DO THE RIGHT THING-THE RIGHT WAY!
• DON’T- Tarnish your long term record for
a short term issue.
• Talk to a trustworthy confidant before you
make a decision if you are able.
• Get Help from somebody who’s been
there.
Tips (cont)
• If you become the subject of an IA:
a. TELL THE TRUTH!!!
b. Accept responsibility
c. Learn from your mistake
d. Don’t repeat your mistake
e. Move on gracefully-others have.
Tips (cont)
• Remember, most IA’s are not career
enders- LYING IS!
• Most IA’s are survivable-don’t make it
worse by lying or refusal to accept
responsibility.
Warning Signs
• Burnout
• Apathy
• Bitterness
• Us vs. Them attitude
• Everybody else is an Adam Henry
Get Help before the fall
• If you or a co-worker exhibit are
experiencing any of these-GET HELPbefore it gets worse.
• Dr. Gilmartin’s book
• Peer Support
• EAP- Pamphlets in hallways
• Health Care Provider
My Goal?
• To help you avoid making a career ending
mistake.
• Everybody retires under honorable
conditions.
• Call me or a trusted friend before
something bad happens. Get help on the
front end before it’s too late.
???
• Questions or Comments?