module 7: code of silence integrity awareness and workplace ethics workshoppage 1 reasons officers...

Integrity Awareness and Workplace Ethics Workshop

Module 7: Code of Silence

• Reasons Officers Act Unethically

• Code of Silence

• Consequences

• Why the Code Exists

• Breaking the Code

• Role of Criminal Justice System

• Role of Ethical Leadership

• Role of Training




• Excuses

• Selfishness

• Bad Decisions

• Fear of “Paying the Price”

• Code of Silence

Reasons Officers Act Unethically



• Informal mechanism that prohibits or discourages members of a close knit group from reporting the misconduct of their fellow members.

• Unwritten understanding that members will face harmful consequences if they testify against fellow members.

• Natural phenomenon among people who spend significant time together.

• Loyalty to people is placed above loyalty to principle.

Code of Silence



• Nearly half of law enforcement officers have personally perpetuated the Code of Silence.

• It is often the greatest enemy of prosecutors and police reformers.

• The challenge is to mold and sustain the culture so that the majority will not be paralyzed by the fear of being ostracized.

Pervasiveness of Silence



• Undermines the very purpose of law enforcement.

• Damages public safety.

• Erodes public trust.

• Demoralizes or destroys officers.

Consequences



• Represent people – not a political party.

• Know the law and its limitations.

• Defend the legal system.

• Study the principles of the laws.

• Seek aid from superiors when needed.

• Understand relationships within the legal system.

• Don’t violate the law or disregard public safety.

• Never use illegal means.

• Be mindful of special identification by the public.

• Be a decent and honorable person.

• Live in a manner that inspires confidence and trust.

• Make arrests in accordance with the law.

• Refuse special gifts or favors.

Undermines the Very Purpose of Laws and Government Regulations



• Careers are destroyed.

• Leaders are demoted.

• Civil suits ruin department budgets.

• Public no longer trusts department.

• Officers become hateful toward each other.

• Employees go to prison.

• Employees may commit suicide.

• Employees are fired.

Damages Public Safety



• Citizens believe everyone is corrupt.

• No support for budget increases.

• Demand for leaders to be fired.

• No credibility when controversies occur again.

Erodes Public Trust



• Good officers are harassed and insulted by the public.

• Many citizens think everyone in the department is corrupt.

• Good officers are afraid of bad officers.

• Good officers may be fired if they refuse to “cover up.”

Demoralizes or Destroys Officers



• Peer Pressure

• Displaced Loyalty

Why the Code Exists



• Peer pressure within enforcement organizations is particularly strong.

• Normal controls on behavior may crumble when in a group.

• Understanding peer pressure is essential in making the right choices.

Peer Pressure



• Corrupt officers are more loyal to each other than to honor or integrity.

• Peer pressure contributes to displaced loyalty.

• To end the corruption, loyalty to integrity must be placed above loyalty to one’s peers.

Displaced Loyalty



• Ethical Leadership

• Training

• The Criminal Justice System

Breaking the Code



• Demonstrate a sincere commitment to integrity.

• Model ethical behavior.

• Emphasize traditionally honored values.

Ethical Leadership



• Acknowledging integrity problems.

• Receiving training on ethics and integrity.

• Conducting an integrity needs assessment.

• Teaching classes on integrity.

• Developing a plan to concentrate on integrity needs.

Ethical Leadership: Demonstrate Commitment to Integrity



• Encouraging visible displays of integrity.

• Becoming directly involved in background investigations.

• Conducting confidential integrity surveys annually.

• Demanding ethical behavior of all leaders.

• Tracking complaints and compliments.

Ethical Leadership: Demonstrate Commitment to Integrity (cont.)



• Avoiding a “leader’s” Code of Silence.

• Investigating all claims of dishonesty.

• Demonstrating a loyalty to honor and integrity rather than people.

• Refraining from ridiculing upper administration.

• Abstaining from committing minor policy violations.

• Resolving major causes of employee anger and frustration.

• Watching for sudden changes in employee behavior.

• Making time to talk about an employee’s personal problems.

Ethical Leadership: Model Ethical Behavior



• Create an atmosphere in which dishonest officers fear the honest ones.

• Create a culture where honor is more important than loyalty to an officer guilty of misconduct.

Ethical Leadership: Emphasize Traditionally Honored Values



• Make sure leaders are trained before non-leaders.

• Ensure all training topics are addressed from an ethical perspective.

• Teach officers about the Code of Silence.

• Require written examinations on the material.

• Place posters, pictures, and quotes throughout the organization.

• Create a Code of Honor.

• Use video or audio ethical dilemma situation training.

Training



• Discourage and deter officers from committing crime.

• Protect society from dangerous and harmful officers.

• Punish officers who have committed crimes.

• Rehabilitate and reform officers who have committed crimes.

The Criminal Justice System



• Reputation for being one of the most corrupt police departments

in the U.S.

• One of the most brutal police departments in the country.

• FBI undercover operation in 1993 exposed the corruption within

the organization.

• In 1995, the department made one of the most impressive reforms

in law enforcement history

• Key element of the reform was leadership acknowledging

problems and leading positive change.

New Orleans Police Department Case Study



• Code of Silence is an informal mechanism that prohibits or discourages law enforcement officials from reporting the misconduct of their colleagues.

• Consequences include: Undermining purpose of law enforcement. Damaging public safety. Eroding public trust. Demoralizing/destroying officers.

• Code of silence is a result of peer pressure and displaced loyalty.

• Breaking the Code of Silence requires: Mandating ethical leadership. Providing training. Using the criminal justice system.

Summary and Review

module 7: code of silence integrity awareness and workplace ethics workshoppage 1 reasons officers...

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