1. LAW ENFORCEMENT ETHICS Criminal Law and Evidence; POST LD (Learning Domain) 1
Means vs Ends Dilemma

2. Ethics in a Democracy
The principles of honor and morality, accepted rules of conduct, the principles of conduct governing an individual or group.

3. Forms of Behavior
Ethical
Organizational/Political
Legal

4. Sources of Ethics
Justice
Law
Commissions
Agency Policy

5. Sources of Standards
Law enforcement code of ethics and codes of professional conduct
Organizational standards – established by departments and by state & national commissions
CA Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST)
Procedural and substantive laws – established by appealate court rulings and by legislation

6. Professional Police Principles
Sir Robert Peel (1822) the founder of the British Police System and considered the father of Law Enforcement.

7. Sir Robert Peels 9 Principles
Basic guidelines created by Sir Robert Peel, for the London Metropolitan Police in 1829
1. The basic mission for which the police exist is to prevent crime and disorder.
2. The ability of the police to perform their duties is dependent upon public approval of police actions.
3. Police must secure the willing cooperation of the public in voluntary observance of the law to be able to secure and maintain the respect of the law.

8. Peels Principles continued
4. The degree of cooperation of the public that can be secured diminishes proportionally to the necessity of the use of force.
5. Police seek and preserve public favor not by catered public opinion, but by constantly demonstrating absolute impartial service to the law.
6. Police use physical force to the extent necessary to secure observance of the law or to restore order only when exercise of persuasion, advice and warning is found to be insufficient.

9. Peel’s 9 Principles continued
7. Police at all times should maintain a relationship with the public that gives reality to the historic tradition; the Police are the public and the public are the police. The police being only full time individuals charged with the duties that are incumbent on all of the citizens.
8. Police should always direct their actions strictly towards their functions and never appear to usurp the powers of the judiciary.
9. The test of police efficiency is the absence of crime and disorder, not the visible evidence of police action in dealing with it.

10. Progress in Police Professionalism
The Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST), created in 1959.
CA Post established standards of training for Officers in the Academy as well as ongoing professional update training.
POST Training for full time officers:
Basic Certification
Intermediate Certification
Advanced Certification

11. Why are Ethical Standards an Issue?
Social Contract
Protection based on control mechanisms that contribute to the maintenance of order in return for surrendering certain rights
Government collectively represents the society as a whole and appoints agents (police) to enforce the control mechanisms

12. Social Contract (cont)
Privileges granted to government include permission by the people to develop strictly limited processes and procedures
Society expects that the government will protect citizens, respect the rights of citizens, and appoint agents who have the integrity to protect citizens and adhere to the conditions of the social contract

13. Police Roles
Problem Solver
Protector
Crime fighter
Service provider

14. What constitutes a Good police officer?
Based upon Principles of Justice

15. Principles of Justice
Fairness
Rule of Law
Behavior

16. Fairness
Uphold the law regardless of who the offender is and not single out special groups
Cannot use the position to take advantage of people
Must avoid gratuities which could give the appearance of special treatment

17. Rule of Law
Police are tools of the constitution and are mandated not to go beyond or supplant rule of their own
Not concerned with law breakers, but their own behavior must be within the bounds of law.
Police behavior must conform to the dictates of law and policy

18. Behavior
Police officers must at all times and all places maintain a high standard of behavior consistent with the position of a public servant
Practice higher standards of behavior in their public and private lives than most other people

19. Why is Ethics Important
Play an important part of the internal image of police
Play an important part in how the police are perceived by the public
Ensure self-respect in the individual officer
Mutual respect among officers

20. What is Integrity? Acting in ways consistent with an ethic
Doing the right thing, the right way, for the right reason

21. Leadership
The practice of influencing people, while using ethical values, to produce an intended change.
People pay more attention to what you do than what you say!
Effective Leaders of the 21st Century have two important traits that must exist together: “Competence and moral character”- General Norman Schwarzkopf

22. Police Power and authority
The officer has the privilege of representing society
Police Authority is the right to act according to the general health, safety, and welfare of the people
Police Power is the force utilized to ensure compliance with the laws.

23. Leadership and Community
Successful community policing require that officers and the community have a common regard for each other.
Share common sense of values and communicate openly

24. Leaders as a courageous followers
Follow the law
Assume responsibility for self and department
Speak out against injustice
Mentor and develop others
Putting yourself after the needs of the community and the agency

25. Absence of leadership Fear, suspicion, disdain
“Them against us” mentality
Reduced community input and help
Decreased financial support
Reduced compliance and increased officer safety threats

26. Law Enforcement Officer
Society has elected to govern the behavior of its members by enforcing rules designed to control conduct
Law, to be effective, must naturally be enforced

27. Police authority vs. power
Police authority is the right to act according to the general health, safety and welfare of the people
Police power is force utilized to ensure compliance with the law

28. Compliance vs. commitment
Compliance is the acceptance of a person’s authority . Often a response to a lawful order.
Commitment is the result of an internal willingness to embrace certain values of leadership and agency goals. Often looked at as a willingness to exceed expectations.

29. What is Police Deviance?
Sex on duty
Sleeping on duty
Drinking/chemical use on duty
Sexual harassment
Quid-pro-quo harassment
Hostile work environment

30. What is Police Corruption?
Takes place when an officer receives or is promised significant advantage or reward for:
Doing something he/she is under duty to do any way
Doing something he/she is under duty not to do
Exercising a legitimate discretion for improper reasons
Employing illegal means to achieve approved goals

31. Rewards Personal rewards Organizational rewards Money Gifts
Access to power
Organizational rewards
Promotion
Peer support
Approval of Superiors

32. Slippery Slope Process of developing a “moral career”
Passing through various stages of rationalization to more serious misdeeds in a graduated and systematic way
Once a person gets past the first moral crisis, it become less difficult to rationalize new and more unethical behaviors

33. Why are Deviance/Corruption problems?
Erosion of public service
Falloff of confidence in government competency
Overall lack of public trust and credibility
Constant displays of lying, cheating, theft, etc. create Cynicism and threaten even the strongest code of ethic – especially when carried out by member of the criminal justice system

34. Corruption Mooching Perjury Prejudice Shopping Premeditated Theft
Bribery/Extortion
Shakedowns
Opportunistic Theft
Corruption of Authority – Chiseling
Kickbacks
The Fix
Direct Criminal Activity
Internal Payoffs
Combative Corruption

35. Preventing Corruption
Adequate background checks
Adequate Training
Adequate financial support and services
Positive Leadership and supervision
Checks and balances in police assignments
Political Influence
Policies and Procedures
Internal-Affairs units
Policing the Police by he police