Transcript Program Synopsis

Ethical Issues and Decisions in
Law Enforcement
Presented by:
The Florida Regional Community
Policing Institute
at St. Petersburg College
With Funding from:
Department of Justice, COPS Office
http://cop.spcollege.edu
Getting Started
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Introduction and Pretest
Introduction of Instructor
RCPI Paperwork
Review of Course Goals
http://cop.spcollege.edu
Course Goals
• Participants will:
– Become sensitized to ethical issues in law
enforcement.
– Understand the importance of moral maturity
and individual character.
– Demonstrate decision-making techniques for
better professional and personal decisions.
– Apply learned skills to scenarios of ethical
decisions.
http://cop.spcollege.edu
Ethics Training Is Not …
• Indoctrination
• A back-handed method to change
you
• An attempt to imply that your ethics
are flawed
http://cop.spcollege.edu
Ethics Training Is …
• A process of understanding yourself
better
• Choosing the wisest course of action
• A perishable skill
• Vital and necessary:
– Career and retirement longevity
– Makes your job easier
– Restores public trust in law enforcement
http://cop.spcollege.edu
Four Components of Consistent
Ethical Behavior
1. Moral Sensitivity
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The ability to recognize the presence and nature of
ethical issues; a situation represents an ethical problem
that requires an ethical decision.
2. Moral Judgment
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Make the right ethical decision; to determine the morally
correct and wisest course of action. This requires the
use of critical thinking skills and the ability to prioritize
competing ethical principles and values.
http://cop.spcollege.edu
Four Components of Consistent
Ethical Behavior, continued
3. Moral Motivation
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The desire to do the right thing and to be a good and
ethical person.
4. Moral Character
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Maturity, courage and discipline to follow through and do
what you know is right in situations of strong temptation
and/or great pressure from others.
http://cop.spcollege.edu
Participant Introductions
• Ethics scavenger hunt exercise
• Other options
• “The World Needs …”
http://cop.spcollege.edu
Why Do Ethics Matter?
• Brainstorming and Discussion
http://cop.spcollege.edu
Basic Ethical Terms and Concepts
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Ethics
Ethical Principles
Ethical Issues
Profession and Professional
http://cop.spcollege.edu
The “Corrupt Cop” Video
• Discussion
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Personal Attitudes Ethical Behavior
• Attitude stages in the typical law
enforcement officer’s career
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Idealistic
Frustrated
Defiant
Resigned
Aware
Decisive
Committed
http://cop.spcollege.edu
“7 Habits of Highly Effective
Law Enforcement Officers”
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6.
7.
Be proactive
Begin with the end in mind
Put first things first
Think win-win
Seek first to understand, the to be understood
Synergize
Sharpen the saw
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Reproduced with permission for Stephen Covey’s “7 Habits of
Highly Effective Law Enforcement Officers” course.
http://cop.spcollege.edu
Personal Character and Moral
Development
• Four categories of police character
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The Bad Character
The Weak Character
The Self-Controlled Character
The Excellent Character
• Reprinted from Edwin Delattre
• Discussion and Reflection
http://cop.spcollege.edu
The Kohlberg Video
• Discussion
http://cop.spcollege.edu
Stages of Moral Development
• Stage One:
– Punishment and obedience
• Stage Two:
– What’s in it for me?
• Stage Three:
– Social approval
• Stage Four:
– Law and order
• Stage Five:
– The values of the organization/society
• Stage Six:
– Universal ethical principles
http://cop.spcollege.edu
Decision Making Tools
• Bell, Book & Candle
• The A.S.C.T. Model
• Application Exercise
http://cop.spcollege.edu
Wrap up and Closure
• Group project
– Your chance to be published!
http://cop.spcollege.edu