Career Survival How to save your career before it starts. Officer Gerard Kendle Hagerstown Police Dept.

The Oath of Honor Honor, Integrity and Respect are never betrayed. I will always hold myself and others accountable for having the courage to do the right thing.

USAF Motto Integrity First Service before Self Excellence in all we do

Who is responsible? Academy Instructors? FTO’s? Sergeants? Lieutenant? Command Staff? Fellow Officers?

You, Me! EVERYONE !!!!

What do you, as a new Law Enforcement officer, need to know to save your career before it begins?

Integrity goes beyond a free cup of coffee. Padding the Overtime book Getting a free meal? Or worse demanding a free meal? Avoiding work? Hung over on duty?

Where have we crossed the line? Where do we draw the line? What should we as Law Enforcement Officers demand of ourselves? Where should supervisors start discipline? Something more serious like theft, assault, excessive use of force? Or... Haircuts?, uniforms?, late for duty?, sloppy reports?

What causes people to commit unethical acts? Law Enforcement officers live in a dynamic social context where we are constantly exposed to ethical conflicts. If we have role models that just “Go with the Flow” then we increase the likelihood that we will commit more serious infractions in the future.

Without good morals and role models, officers may get tempted by the pretty girl wanting out of a ticket or the senior officer who “Knows” how to get over on the system.

It is a matter of defining who we are and what we are about. Law Enforcements officers should expect the same from their Chain of Command as they should expect from themselves. Do it professionally!

Going Bad in a Nutshell “The Continuum of Compromise” Officers develop perceived sense of victimization At risk are those whose way of life is “I am a Cop” Officers who identify with the job can be more at risk and loose control over many aspects of their lives. They become cynical of their departments. Us vs. them Victim

Omission Not seeing onsite activity Superficial investigations Lack of follow-up Omitting paperwork “You can get in trouble for the stop you don’t make” Rationalize this behavior

Commission Commit Administrative infractions Omit duties, break small rules Unauthorized equipment, romantic interludes at work, etc. Eventually criminal acts like padding the overtime book, excessive use of force, keeping some drug money, and not turning in evidence. Commission

We need to provide our officers with the skills they need to make split-second ethical decisions during periods of high stress!

How do we do this? With training in ethical dilemmas and emphasizing ethics and integrity in all we do.