ethics and professionalism in the workplace1

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Ethics and Integrity

Dr. Laura B. MyersDeveloper and Facilitator

College of Criminal Justice

Sam Houston State University

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5 Goals for Exploring

Ethics

Become more aware and open to

moral and ethical issues.

Begin developing critical thinking and

analytical skills.

Become more personally responsible.

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5 Goals for Exploring

Ethics

Understand how criminal justice is

engaged in a process of coercion.

Develop wholesight.

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3 Contexts for Understanding

Justice, Crime and Ethics

Personal

Social

Criminal Justice

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What Is Ethics?

Knowing the difference

between right and wrong

Deciding to do the right

thing under pressure

Assume people are trying

to do their best

Ethical issues are not

clear-cut

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The Slippery Slope

Contingencies

Moral Experiences

Apologia

Stages

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The Resolution...

Training

Modeling

Reinforcement

Use of reality

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Becoming a Police Officer

Choice to become

a police officer.

Introduction to

policing.

Encountering the

reality.

The

metamorphosis.

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The Reality of Law

Enforcement

Discretion

Low-visibility

discretionary

decision making

Numerous laws,

rules, and policies

Threats to safety

Authority

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An Ethical Crisis

Misuse of funds

Abuses of authority

Winning at all costs

Using people as a means to an end

Making ourselves an exception

Not recognizing an ethical trap

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More Examples

Political leaders

Lawyers

Law enforcement

officers

Clergy

Medical doctors

Others?

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The Integrity Image

Role models?

Commitment

Trust

Karma

Do these things exist in law

enforcement?

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Workplace Impact

Decrease in morale

Breakdown in chain of

command

Burn-out

Grievances & lawsuits

Loss of productivity

Damage to image &

reputation

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Perceptions

The role of law

enforcement.

Crime control

Due process

Public opinion

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Individual Impact

Not efficient

An organizational liability

Not a team player

Damage to career

Damage to future

Unfit role model

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The Institutions that

Teach Values & Morals

Family

School

Church

Media

Do people recognize these influences

on their choices?

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An Ethical Population?

Cheating in school

Cheating in sports

Cheating in business

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Ethical Conflict

Resolution?

The Golden Rule

Recognizing differences

Recognizing human feelings

Recognizing the sanctity of human

life

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Can We Improve?

Is it possible to teach people values

and morals?

What if they already know what is

right and wrong?

Need to teach people how to

recognize the trap of an ethical

dilemma

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Tools

People Can Use

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Remembering Character

What is character?

How can it be used in law

enforcement?

Being conscious of character

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The Six Pillars of

Character

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[1] Trustworthiness

Honesty

Integrity

Promise keeping

Loyalty

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[2] Respect

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[3] Responsibility

Accountability

Pursuit of excellence

Self-restraint

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[4] Justice and Fairness

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[5] Caring

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[6] Civic Virtue and

Citizenship

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Moral Development

Premoral Level

Conventional Level

Post-Conventional Level

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Character and Decision-

making

The greatest good

Duty

Karma

Caring

Being mindful

That inner voice

An Ethics Check

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An Ethics Check

Is it legal?

Is it balanced?

How will it make me feel about

myself?

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Inner Strength

Living by principles

Acting consistently

Striving to be fair

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The Five Principles

Purpose

Pride

Patience

Persistence

Perspective

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Principles of a Morally

Good Person

Just

Truthful

Trustworthy

Moral courage

Moral autonomy

Benevolence

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In the Workplace

Application of law

Use of authority

Due Process

Meeting your goals…

Humans have intrinsic value

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Pressures in the

Workplace

Productivity

Solving a bad problem

during a crisis

Doing your job

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Inner Strength

Practice

Seek advice

Realize this will not be easy

Don’t take yourself for granted

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Outer Strength

An organizational value

Walk the walk, talk the talk

Training

Modeling

Discussion

Nip it in the bud

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The Reality of Law

Enforcement Ethics

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Dr. Laura B. Myers

College of Criminal Justice

Sam Houston State University

Huntsville, Texas 77341

(409) 294-1654

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