DISCIPLINE AND ETHICS Presented By Chief Supt Godwin Chikuma Officer Commanding Police Bindura District. Email gchikuma@yahoo.com Cell : 0773243698

“He who keeps instruction is in the way of life, But “He who keeps instruction is in the way of life, But he who refuses correction goes astray” Proverbs 10 verse 17

Introduction What does this story tell you? What disciplinary issues are coming out of this story? How are police officers expected to behave when boarding or alighting from vehicles?

OBJECTIVES By the end of the presentation participants should be able to: Define the concept of discipline Define ethics State the purpose of discipline. Outline the forms of indiscipline List and explain the common forms of indiscipline. Outline the causes of indiscipline Explain the guidelines of how to instil discipline in the police organisation.

Discipline defined According to the Collins Paperbag English Dictionary, discipline is defined as “systematic training in obedience, training or conditions imposed for the improvement of physical power or self control”

Put simply, it can be defined as the ability to listen to and obey the rules and regulations of the organisation or institution. There is need for enforcement of order that is ensuring instructions are carried out- Discipline is therefore often regulated through punishment.

Ethics Defined The word ethic derived from the Greek word ethos which means “character” and from Latin word mores which means Customs or Ethics is discipline dealing with what is good and bad and with moral duty and obligation or The process of systematic thinking regarding what is right and wrong, good and bad and the outcome of that is good behaviour and positive discipline.

Common forms of indiscipline Being absent without leave Being dirty on parade Making any anonymous communication to the Minister, the Commissioner General, a superior or a person in authority(Para 41of the Police Act) Late for duty Poor turnout

Causes of indiscipline Lack of managerial skills by managers Unclear instructions/ job description Over familiarisation between managers and subordinates Poor communication Domestic problem Work environment

Purposes of discipline It ensures that members conform to the code of conduct, behaviour established by the leadership in order to achieve the organisational goals. It promotes fairness, order and consistence in conduct of labour practices. Motivates members to desist from doing or repeating the same mistake/ behaviour. Gives a member the habit of self -control

Approaches to Discipline Positive discipline This is also referred to as the “carrot method” It is something that is inherent within an individual. There is self consciousness within an individual that rules need to be observed. There is no need for external influence. People individually or as a group follow the rules because they understand, believe in support of them.

Negative discipline Also referred to as the “big stick” method   Also referred to as the “big stick” method Negative discipline is where employees do not do their job as they should, managers will punish them and force them to obey. The threat of punishment is employed by many managers to keep people in line. People are just taught that they will be punished if they beak a rule.

How to instil discipline in the police Conduct inspections, parades, drill etc Insist on good turnout Lead by example Be impartial in the distribution of work. Punishments

Professional Code of Conduct Ethical Conduct Veracity Non-maleficence Professional Code of Conduct Biomedical Ethics confidentiality Beneficence Is this the correct way of effecting an arrest?

Ethical Conduct cont… Veracity Confidentiality Beneficence Ethics rely on consistent truth and honesty in all operations e.g. Police officers should always give verified correct information- accident statistics, causes of accidents etc Beneficence Ethics aim at benefitting all the clients e.g. Actions by police officers should benefit clients- traffic enforcements to reduce accidents Non - maleficence Ethics should not be harmful to clients – ticketing of offenders meant to make people comply with rules of the road – No unnecessary force should be used- use the correct tools of trade to effect arrest Confidentiality Ethical conduct should always aim at maintaining the confidentiality of clients – police officers should never divulge details about clients to any unauthorised people including the media Biomedical ethics Police officers should never divulge the medical conditions of clients to unauthorised persons, especially those who get injured in accidents Professional Code Conduct Always ADHERE TO THE PROFESSIONAL CODE OF CONDUCT – FOR THE GOOD IMAGE OF THE POLICE

Principles that constitute ideal ethics Performance of duties: Police officials shall at all times fulfil duties imposed upon them by the law, in a manner that is consistent with the high degree of responsibility and integrity. The subject of ethics is important for all people on the planet. This is true in the law enforcement because ethics should be a standard by which all individuals performs. Police officers are expected to be above reproach. They are expected by the public to be exemplary, to display such character as to be above all the things that would corrupt a lesser individual.

Discipline for Traffic Officers Ethical behaviour Appearance Correct set of uniform Clean uniform Smart turn out Uniform which is not torn Clean shaven Uniform worn to fit 9/17/2018 Discipline for Traffic Officers

Expected Not expected

Discipline and ethics for Traffic Officers Bad Behaviour Avoid eating in public Avoid smoking in public Avoid use of cell phone whilst attending to customers Drive to set a good example Do not walk casually on the road 16/09/2014 Discipline and ethics for Traffic Officers

Summary and Conclusion Discipline ensures that members conform to the code of conduct in order to achieve the organisational goals. 9/17/2018 Listening Skills

“The fear of the lord is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction” Proverbs 1 verse 7

Discipline and Ethics for Traffic Officers QUESTIONING-TIME: Discipline and Ethics for Traffic Officers 16/09/2014