Ethics For Professional Law Enforcement

Question 1

In the absence of _______________ any type of constitutional democracy is impossible.

Answer 1

Rule of law

Question 2

The ________________ is what allows society to function as a society where the individual can expect justice.

Answer 2

Rule of law

Question 3

Law enforcement officers are the “_____________________” for the rule of law.

Answer 3

Tip of the spear

Question 4

Citizens expect law enforcement officers to exemplify right and moral conduct but forget __________________________

Answer 4

They are human and subject to emotions and weaknesses

Question 5

What has resulted from law enforcement officers believing they are above the law or that the deserve special privileges?

Answer 5

Lawsuits and investigations on law enforcement officers, charges of excessive force, and assaults against law enforcement officers.

Question 6

What is the definition of morals?

Answer 6

Principles of right and wrong

Question 7

What is the definition of ethics?

Answer 7

The discipline of determining good and evil and defining moral duties.

Question 8

Name five places the code of ethics for law enforcement officers are laid out in:

Answer 8

• law enforcement code of ethics
• canons of police ethics
• law enforcement oath of honor
• law enforcement code of conduct
• departments written/unwritten policies and procedures

Question 9

What is the definition of honor? (Referencing: the law enforcement oath of honor)

Answer 9

One’s word is given as a guarantee

Question 10

What is the definition of betray? (Referencing: the law enforcement oath of honor)

Answer 10

Breaking faith with public trust

Question 11

What is the badge in the law enforcement oath of honor referring to?

Answer 11

The symbol of your office

Question 12

What is the definition of integrity? (Referencing: the law enforcement oath of honor)

Answer 12

Being the same person in both private and public life

Question 13

What is the definition of character? (Referencing: the law enforcement oath of honor)

Answer 13

The qualities that distinguish an individual

Question 14

What does “public trust” mean in the law enforcement oath of honor?

Answer 14

A charge of duty imposed in faith toward those that you serve

Question 15

What is courage? (Referencing: the law enforcement oath of honor)

Answer 15

Having the strength to withstand unethical pressure, fear, or danger.

Question 16

What does accountability mean in the law enforcement oath of honor?

Answer 16

It means that you’re answerable and responsible to your oath of office

Question 17

What does community mean in the law enforcement oath of honor?

Answer 17

The jurisdiction and citizens served

Question 18

What are the primary responsibilities of a police officer?

Answer 18

Serve the community 
Safeguard life and properties 
Protect the innocent
Keep the peace 
Ensure the rights of all to Liberty, equality, and justice.

Question 19

How should a police officer perform duties?

Answer 19

Impartially, without favor, affection, or ill will and without bias. Citizens will be treated with courtesy, consideration, and dignity.

Question 20

How should a law enforcement officer use discretion according to the law enforcement code of conduct?

Answer 20

Responsibly use discretion in his/her position and exercise it within the law. The officer should consider all surround circumstances to determine any legal action taken.

Question 21

What is the purpose of using discretion while policing?

Answer 21

It can preserve good relationships and retain the confidence of the public. (Sometimes a timely word of advice can be more effective than arresting)

Question 22

According to the law enforcement oath of honor when should “use of force” be used?

Answer 22

Only after discussion, negotiation, and persuasion are not working and only when absolutely necessary.

Question 23

What is confidentiality according to the law enforcement oath of honor?

Answer 23

Anything a law enforcement officer hears, sees, or learns will be kept severely unless the performance of duty or legal provision requires otherwise.

Question 24

According to the law enforcement oath of honor integrity means:

A- a law enforcement officer will not engage in corruption or bribery and will not condone those acts by another officer

B- law enforcement officers should not receive special advantage because of their position

C- all of the above

D- none of the above

Answer 24

C - all of the above

Remember respect cannot be bought - it needs to be earned and cultivated

Question 25

True or false:

Law enforcement officers should never cooperate with legally authorized agencies outside of their own agency.

Answer 25

False

Question 26

What is article one in the Canons of Police Ethics?

Answer 26

Primary responsibility of the job.

The protection of the people in the United States through upholding their laws -primarily the Constitution of the United States and its amendments

Question 27

What is article 2 in the Canons of Police Ethics?

Answer 27

Limitation of authority.

The first duty of a L.E.O. is to know the boundaries upon enforcing the law. The genius of the American government system is that it gives no one absolute power

Question 28

What is article 3 in the Canons of Police Ethics?

Answer 28

Duty to be familiar with the law and with responsibilities of self and other public officials.

Officers will continually study the principles of laws they are sworn to uphold. They will make certain to seek aid, understand their relationship to public officials on matters of jurisdiction

Question 29

What is article 4 in the Canons of Police Ethics?

Answer 29

Utilization of proper means to gain proper ends.

The law must be honored by those who enforce it. Using illegal means (regardless of how worthy at the end) will encourage disrespect for the law and its officers.

Question 30

What is article 5 in the Canons of Police Ethics?

Answer 30

Cooperation with public officials in the discharge of their authorized duties.

The law enforcement officer will cooperate fully with other public officials (when doing authorized duties) regardless of party or personal prejudice. In any situation open to question the officer needs to report to their superior officer.

Question 31

What is article 6 in the Canons of Police Ethics?

Answer 31

Private conduct.

Officers need to lead a life that is decent and honorable whether at work or off duty. Being a law enforcement officer does not give them special privilege.

Question 32

What is article 7 in the Canons of Police Ethics?

Answer 32

Conduct toward the public.

The law enforcement officer will deal with individuals in the community in a way to instill respect for its laws and its police service. The officer will service when possible without personal preference or prejudice.

Question 33

What is article 8 in the Canons of Police Ethics?

Answer 33

Conduct in arresting and dealing with law violators.

The officer will use their powers of arrest strictly in accordance with the law and with regard to the rights of the citizens. The officers position does not give them a right to give punishment.

Question 34

What is article 9 in the Canons of Police Ethics?

Answer 34

Gifts and favors.

The officer will guard against placing themselves in a situations where any person can expect special consideration or a situation where the public can reasonably assume special consideration is being given. The officer needs to be dirk in refusing gifts, favors, or gratuities (large or small).

Question 35

What is article 10 in the Canons of Police Ethics?

Answer 35

Presentation of evidence

The officer needs to be equally concerned about the prosecution of the wrong-doer and the defense of the innocent. He or she will present evidence impartially and without malice.

Question 36

What is article 11 in the Canons of Police Ethics?

Answer 36

Attitude toward the profession.

The law enforcement officer shall regard the discharge of his duties as a public trust and recognize his responsibilities as a public servant. He or she should hold police work to be an honorable profession rendering valuable service

Question 37

What are some examples of common rationalizations given by law enforcement for unethical behavior?

Answer 37

1 - Loyalty to colleagues comes before anything else.
2 - The public, most of it, is the enemy.
3 - Due process is the barrier to getting the job done.
4 - Deception and lying is okay if it means getting the “bad guy”.
5 - “Real” (crime control) policing is what is important, not “garbage calls” (social service).
6 - The public is weak
7 - The use of force is justified in the face of my opposition.
8 - Police officers are victims; we don’t get paid much and the public doesn’t like us or understand us.
9 - The public owes us police officers for all we put up with on the streets to serve and protect them.
10 - Force is the only thing some people understand.
11 - You don’t have to obey the law when you are the law
12 - The public thinks every cop is a crook, so why try to be honest?
13 - The money is out there; if I don’t take it, someone else will.
14 - I’m only taking what is rightfully mine; if I was paid a decent wage I wouldn’t need to take it.
15 - I can use it because it’s for a good cause - my son needs an operation, bike, tuition, etc…
16 - My actions are predetermined by criminals, the higher ups in the department who don’t understand “the reality of the streets” and fickle political pressures (denial of responsibility.)
17 - This guy is a criminal; a beating is what he deserved (denial of a victim.)
18 - Taking jewelry from this larceny scene won’t hurt anyone. The owner is going to get a big insurance payment (denial of injury)

Question 38

What is noble cause corruption?

Answer 38

the rationalization that the “end” of crime fighting justifies “means” that might otherwise be illegal, unethical, or is against the rules or regulations.

Question 39

What are the two most frequently given factors for noble cause corruption?

Answer 39

• The belief that legal technicalities made the job impossible to do
• The belief the offender was guilty

Question 40

How does “the blue curtain”/code of silence usually start?

Answer 40

An officer makes a mistake (reasonable or not). Instead of reporting the incident, a co-worker covers for the officer that made the mistake. The officer who made the mistake feels indebted and trapped in a situation where they think they must do the same. The officer that made the mistake doesn’t say anything because they don’t want to get the officer that covered for them in trouble.

Question 41

What is the “slippery slope” and the “mama Rosa’s test”?

Answer 41

Slippery slope - Once an officer engages in minor illegal or corrupt behavior greater levels of corruption become easier to perform.

Mama Rosa’s test - Acceptance of gratuities can be a ritual indoctrination used by those grafting subcultures for more insidious purposes.

Question 42

What are the 6 major groups of unethical behavior in law enforcement?

Answer 42

1 - graft, bribery, and classic corruption
2 - process corruption
3 - brutality and excessive force
4 - on-duty unprofessional conduct
5 - workplace deviance
6 - off-duty unprofessional conduct

Question 43

Name 4 ethical dilemmas encountered by law enforcement officers

Answer 43

1 - dilemmas of discretion
2 - dilemmas of duty
3 - dilemmas of honesty
4 - dilemmas of loyalty