Comms/Ethics Flashcards
Police discretion
Where you can use your own individual judgement to decide the best lawful course of action
Reasons for police discretion (CULL)
C – Community does not always want the law enforced
U – Uphold the spirit rather than the letter of the law
L – Law breaker’s intent is not always deliberate/malicious/evil
L – Laws cannot cover every situation and still remain workable
Sources of discretion
Common Law (Original Authority)
Lepra
The rule of law
Dealing with conflicts of interest (IARMM)
Identify - the conflict
Avoid - the conflict
Report - the conflict to supervisor
Manage - the conflict
Monitor any changes
Three Conflicts of interest
- ACTUAL – Where the conflict exists between your official duties or responsibilities
and your private interests. - PERCEIVED – Where others may interpret your private interests as improperly
interfering with, or influencing, the performance of your official duties or
responsibilities, whether or not this is in fact the case. - POTENTIAL – Where your private interests could interfere with or influence your
official duties or responsibilities in the future. You could say there is no conflict of
interest right now, but if it’s not managed, it has the potential to become one e.g. a
local take away shop gives police officers 1⁄2 price meals
Empathy
It is an understanding of another person’s point of view
Total empathy is IMPOSSIBLE to achieve
Three kinds of Empathy
- EMOTIONAL – connecting with someone
- COGNITIVE – Aware of how the other person feels/thinks. Helps to negotiate,
motivate others to understand each other - COMPASSIONATE – Understand the other person’s situation
Procedural Justice
Procedural justice is linked to public judgements about the fairness of the process through which police make decisions and exercise authority
It comprises of four key components (N.R.T.V)
Neutrality -
Police making decisions based on relevant facts and legal rules rather than
opinion and biases
Respect -
Dignified and respectful treatment of citizens during police interaction
Trustworthiness -
Show they act on behalf of the best interests of the people
Voice -
Providing citizens with the option to express their own point of view
2 Types of corruption
Noble Cause Corruption –Unlawful conduct/ actions done without any thought of
personal gain (doing the wrong thing for the right reason)
EXAMPLE: planting evidence at a known offender’s home to have them locked up in
order to have them taken off the streets.
Process Corruption – Actions being done for some form of personal gain/ advantage
EXAMPLE: planting evidence at a crime scene to have someone locked up as
revenge. Gain money.
What is a Stereotype and Prejudice
Stereotype -Is a preconceived notion, especially about a group of people. Many stereotypes are
racist, sexist, or homophobic. A stereotype may be negative, neutral or even positive
e.g. all Canadians are friendly.
Prejudice -Is a preconceived opinion that is not based on reason or actual experience. It is
ALWAYS bad.
What is social inequality
Social inequality is where one individual group or community has access to a wider range of opportunities or potential outcomes within society and another.
LCAN
Location
Condition
Action
Needs
Supporting the victim/witness
-Establish rapport with the victim
-Ask them to tell you what happened before you write anything in your notebook
-Listen for the underlying need in their message
-Listen to what the victim is saying. Look directly at them. Use your active listening skills
-Where possible sit at the same level as the victim
Dealing with difficult customers
- Always remain calm, polite, and professional
- Listen to and acknowledge customer enquiries
- Tell the customer when no further action can be taken and why
Key actions when taking telephone calls
- Ensure victims receive an event number, where appropriate
- Ensure messages are followed up
- Use interpreter services and the TTY (text telephone) number, where
appropriate - Try to resolve the customer’s matter at the first point of contact
