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POLICE ETHICS

Lieutenant John Manago


Loveland Police Department

Course Outline
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Instructor Introduction
Course Objectives
Ethical Perspective
Pre-Test
Definitions- Ethics, Values
Law Enforcement Code of Ethics
Ethical Standards of Police Officers
Unethical Behaviors of Police Officers (Code
of Silence, Gratuities, Use of Force)
Correct Handling of Unethical Behavior

Course Outline Cont.


10.
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Application- tools for moral decision


making
Department Values
Scenarios
Test
Evaluation

Course Objectives
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The student will be able to define the term Law Enforcement


Code of Ethics and identify the purpose of the code..
The student will be able to name at least 5 provisions of the
Law Enforcement Code of Ethics as presented in class and
discuss why they are important.
The student will be able to discuss the components of unethical
behavior of police officers.
The student will be able to discuss the correct methods of
handling unethical behavior among police officers.
The student will be able to identify and discuss the tools for
moral decision making.
The student will be able to identify and discuss Department
Values.

Ethical Perspective
Why
1.
2.

have this class?

Career Survival
Understand Department Expectations

Ethics
Ethics-

a set of moral principles or

values
Values- norms, things that are held as
important. LPD Values
Where do ethics come from- values,
standards norms of society. Different in
different cultures, location, and era

Law Enforcement Code of Ethics


1.

2.

Definition- the principals of conduct governing


an individual or group (Law Enforcement
Professionals)
What is the purpose of the code- a clear
statement of who we are and what we believe
a)
b)
c)
d)

Established Values- taught, instilled, reinforced,


rewarded
Build Integrity- recognized, reinforced, rewarded
Affect attitudes- change, modify
Affect Behavior- monitor, regulate

Ethical Standards of Police Officer


Provisions of the Code

1.

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
i.

Primary Responsibilities of a Police Officer


Performance of the Duties of a Police Officer
Discretion
Use of Force
Confidentiality
Integrity
Cooperation with Other Officers and Agencies
Personal/Professional Capabilities
Private Life

Ethical Standards of Police Officers


Cont.

Why are these important?


a.

b.

c.
d.

Human Life- compassion, caring, life


threatening
Integrity- honest, truthful, high ethical
standards
Constitution- liberty, equality, and justice
Accountability- community role model, I.A.
investigations, acknowledge mistakes

Unethical Behavior of Police Officers


1.
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Code of Silence
Gratuities
Lies
Excessive Force
Double Standard- Above the Law
Problems associated with these behaviors
Ostracized by peers
Loss of integrity
Civil Suits
Misperceptions of officers

Correct Handling of Unethical


Behavior
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Reporting- External/Internal
Internal Affairs Investigations
Training
Disciplinary action
Why is this important- maintain values,
integrity, and accountability

Application
Do

you agree with the Code of Ethics?


Do you agree with the double standards
for police officers?
Do you understand the importance of the
code? It is what stands between the
good and the bad guys.

Application
1.

Tools for moral decision making*.


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3.
4.

The Bell
The Book
The Candle
The Camera

*Reputable Conduct, John R. Jones, Daniel P. Carlson

Department Values
What
a) The

are the things we value?

Law
b) Communication
c) The People We Serve and Each Other
d) Organizational Excellence
e) Our Public Image

Scenarios

Evaluation
Test
Test

review

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