Module 2.1: Professionalism and Ethics

Juvenile Corrections Officer (JCO) Core Training
Unit 2.0: Professionalism and Ethics
Instructional time: 4 hours

1. Welcome and introductions

2. Objectives:

a. 2.1.1 Identify why officers should exemplify the highest ethical and moral standards both on-duty and off-duty

b. 2.1.2 Identify ethical violations you might see in a law enforcement setting

c. 2.1.3 Given a list of officer behaviors, identify whether each behavior is acceptable or unacceptable

d. 2.1.4 Identify potential consequences of an officer failing to uphold high ethical standards

e. 2.1.5 Identify potential negative effects when a law enforcement officer violates the law and/or departmental policies and procedures

f. 2.1.6 Identify appropriate actions to take when made aware of unethical and/or criminal conduct of another officer(s)

g. 2.1.7 Identify the problems associated with the acceptance of gratuities

h. 2.1.8 Identify the ethical parameters for a professional relationship between the officer and juveniles

i. 2.1.9 Identify the law enforcement code of ethics

3. Sacramento County Probation mission and vision

4. Leadership is an action, not a position

5. Define ethics

6. Identify examples of good characteristics of the following categories of professionalism: Demeanor, appearance, speech

7. Identify why officers should exemplify the highest ethical and moral standards both on-duty and off-duty

8. Moral compass

9. Identify ethical violations you might see in a law enforcement setting

10. Identify whether each listed officer behavior is acceptable or unacceptable

11. Identify potential consequences of an officer failing to uphold high ethical standards

12. Duty to intercede

13. Identify potential negative effects when a law enforcement officer violates the law and/or departmental policies and procedures

14. Brady list (Brady v. Maryland, 373 U.S. 83 (1963))

15. Blue code of silence

16. Identify appropriate actions to take when made aware of unethical and/or criminal conduct of another officer(s)

17. Identify the problems associated with the acceptance of gratuities

18. Changing perception

19. Identify the ethical parameters for a professional relationship between the officer and juveniles

20. Pros and cons of becoming a law enforcement officer

21. Identify the law enforcement code of ethics

22. Lead by example

23. Discuss how professionalism and ethics relates to a career in law enforcement

24. Putting aside negative beliefs

25. Imagine walking in the other person’s shoes

26. Discuss gangs and what gangs represent from the member’s perspective