2008 In-Service Training PROFESSIONALISM for DETENTION OFFICERS

NC Detention Officer Statistics 1996 – 2006 Average Certified Detention population in North Carolina 6,549 Yearly Average 37 Statistics provided by DOJ Training and Standards 1996 – 2006 Total number of North Carolina Detention Officers who have had their certifications revoked, suspended, or been denied certification 370

Training Objectives 1. Analyze the decision making process as it applies to the professionalism of a detention officer. 2. Determine how making good and bad decisions at work and away from work can be related to the professionalism of a detention officer. 3.Differentiate ways in which the ideology of groupthink can affect an officers career as a detention officer.

Training Objectives 4. Explain how policy and procedures and general orders can create a professional environment in a detention facility. 5. Illustrate the elements involved in creating a professional environment in the detention facility, including prevention of sexual harassment, unethical behavior, entitlement mindset, and negative attitudes. 6. Identify character traits that are commonly associated with a professional detention officer.

Professionalism Behavior and attitude patterns exhibiting standards and character marked by pride in oneself and ones chosen career; respect for the people served and commitment to the continued development of skill in the pursuit of excellence. Defined:

CASE STUDY #1 Royalty-free, courtesy of FOTOSEARCH.com

Decision Making Process Defined: The actual thinking process that occurs when a person is faced with having to decide on a specific course of action Some are clear-cut and easy Some not so easy due to extenuating circumstances or lack of knowledge

Influences on Decision Making Various aspects of our lives impact and influence our thinking and decision making process 1. Family2. Church3. Neighborhood and friends4. Schooling and education level5. Work environment6. Our city and/or nation

Decision Making Models BELL BOOK CANDLE Bell, Book, and Candle Does it sound right? Does it violate a law or general order? How will it look when exposed to the light of day?

Decision Making Models Blanchard and Peales Ethics Check 1. Is my action legal? 2. Is the action fair and balanced for all concerned? 3. How will I feel about myself if the public knew of my decision?

CASE STUDY #2

Good Decisions at Work 1.Possible promotion 2.Respect from fellow officers and inmates 3.Consistency in the performance of duties 4.Good reputation 5.Supervisory support against false or questionable allegations from inmates Examples of what good decisions can lead to:

Bad Decisions at Work 1.Dismissal, suspension, or decertification 2.Poor reputation 3.Increased scrutiny by supervisors 4.Poor evaluations resulting in less merit raises 5.More susceptible to inmate con games Examples of what bad decisions can lead to:

Effects of Actions AWAY from Work *Jack Azzaretto from the University of California The public feels empowered to have a right to know, because of Public Trust. We judge other people by their actions, but we judge ourselves by our intent. * When it comes to trust perception is reality. Perception equals Reality

Reflections of Our Actions It is paramount to remember that our actions do not just reflect upon us as individuals, but they reflect on many others as well: 1.Self 2.Agency 3.Family 4.Neighbors and friends 5.Community and childs school

GROUPTHINK A mentality in which the cohesion of the group becomes more important than good professional and ethical decision making.

Signs and Symptoms of Groupthink Illusions of invulnerability in which the group can do no wrong. Illusions of invulnerability in which the group can do no wrong. Collective efforts to rationalize or discount warnings. Collective efforts to rationalize or discount warnings. Pressure to conform and not express ones own views. Pressure to conform and not express ones own views.

Signs and Symptoms of Groupthink Stereotyped views that guide decision making or an Us vs. Them mentality. Stereotyped views that guide decision making or an Us vs. Them mentality. A shared illusion of unanimity (everyone always agrees). A shared illusion of unanimity (everyone always agrees).

CASE STUDY #3

Policy and Procedures Policy and Procedures along with General Orders dont just protect the agency... They can protect the officer as well !!!! Unfortunately, we usually dont think about that fact in relation to these documents.

Protection Through General Orders General Orders give the officer: 1. A sense of structure in his work day. 2. Guidelines in which to perform his daily duties. 3. The agencys expectations of his/her performance and behavior. 4. Guidance in how to handle most situations on the job. 5. Strength and reassurance when making difficult decisions especially those unpopular with inmates.

Inmate Handbook When in place in a detention facility, the inmate handbook: 1. Serves as the mandate which inmates must live by while in the facility. 2. Explains the consequences for improper inmate behavior. 3. Assists the detention officer in decision making with added structure and justification. 4. Can minimize complaints against detention officers and establish a good professional persona.

CASE STUDY #4 Royalty-free, courtesy of Webshots.com

Elements that Create a Professional Environment 1. Educate 2. Training 3. Lead by example (Top-down model) 4. Strong reactions to policy infractions There are four primary elements used to create a professional environment in the workplace.

Professional Character Traits Clean, neat, and pressed uniform and appearance. Clean, neat, and pressed uniform and appearance. Always on-time to work and has a pleasant attitude. Always on-time to work and has a pleasant attitude. Knows policy and procedures, general orders, and follows them. Knows policy and procedures, general orders, and follows them. Shows good moral and ethical decision making on the job. Shows good moral and ethical decision making on the job. Willing to share their knowledge to help fellow officers improve. Willing to share their knowledge to help fellow officers improve.

Training Objectives 1. Analyze the decision making process as it applies to the professionalism of a detention officer. 2. Determine how making good and bad decisions at work and away from work can be related to the professionalism of a detention officer. 3.Differentiate ways in which the ideology of groupthink can affect an officers career as a detention officer.

Training Objectives 4. Explain how policy and procedures and general orders can create a professional environment in a detention facility. 5. Illustrate the elements involved in creating a professional environment in the detention facility, including prevention of sexual harassment, unethical behavior, entitlement mindset, and negative attitudes. 6. Identify character traits that are commonly associated with a professional detention officer.

QUESTIONS? Q U E S T I O N S ? Q U E S T I O N S ?

Society may often forget about the gatekeeper known only as a detention officer, but what would society do without him at that gate.