Entry Level Correctional Entry Level Correctional AcademyAcademy

Values and ConductValues and Conduct

Lieutenant Steve SnowLieutenant Steve SnowSpecial Operations CommanderSpecial Operations Commander

Frederick County Adult Detention CenterFrederick County Adult Detention Center

IntroductionIntroduction

In addition to the many requirements In addition to the many requirements necessary to function as a modern necessary to function as a modern correctional officer, one must possess an correctional officer, one must possess an internal set of traits. These are known as:internal set of traits. These are known as:

– Moral ValuesMoral Values– Ethical ConductEthical Conduct– ProfessionalismProfessionalism– IntegrityIntegrity

DefinitionsDefinitions

IntegrityIntegrity• Having character which develops hope, Having character which develops hope,

honesty, courage, empathy, etc.honesty, courage, empathy, etc.

• Derived from the word integer: wholenessDerived from the word integer: wholeness

DefinitionsDefinitions

EthicsEthics• Standards or rules of conduct by which we Standards or rules of conduct by which we

livelive• Relates to what is RIGHT & WRONGRelates to what is RIGHT & WRONG

DefinitionsDefinitions

ValuesValues

    Beliefs upon which our actions and Beliefs upon which our actions and decisions are madedecisions are made

  

Professional ExpectationsProfessional Expectations

• Correctional Officers must at all times, Correctional Officers must at all times, and at all levels, exhibit professional and at all levels, exhibit professional attitudes and conductattitudes and conduct– High esteem and sound moral values High esteem and sound moral values

promote and sustain conduct consistent promote and sustain conduct consistent w/the highest ideals of a professionw/the highest ideals of a profession

Professional ExpectationsProfessional Expectations

• Professionalism is the uncompromising pursuit Professionalism is the uncompromising pursuit of excellenceof excellence

• Professionalism is easy to recognize but hard to Professionalism is easy to recognize but hard to definedefine

• One cannot be a professional without a One cannot be a professional without a professional attitudeprofessional attitude

• Apathy and a general insincerity toward work Apathy and a general insincerity toward work are just not compatible with being a are just not compatible with being a professionalprofessional

Professional ExpectationsProfessional Expectations

If someone acts like a professional, If someone acts like a professional, thinks like a professional and works thinks like a professional and works like a professional, then he must truly like a professional, then he must truly be a professionalbe a professional

A Correctional Officers Primary A Correctional Officers Primary ResponsibilitiesResponsibilities

• SafetySafety– Inmates, fellow staff, working environmentInmates, fellow staff, working environment

• SecuritySecurity– Inmates, staff, public, physical facilityInmates, staff, public, physical facility

• ControlControl– Inmate population (behaviors)Inmate population (behaviors)

• CustodyCustody– Inmate populationInmate population

IndifferenceIndifference

Indifference to these moral and ethical Indifference to these moral and ethical attributes provides the breeding ground attributes provides the breeding ground for future misconductfor future misconduct

Motivation for unethical behaviorMotivation for unethical behavior

Why Do Good People Do Why Do Good People Do

BAD THINGS ?BAD THINGS ?

Motivation for unethical behaviorMotivation for unethical behavior

• Rationalize Peer PressureRationalize Peer Pressure– Going along with the group instead of Going along with the group instead of

thinking for selfthinking for self

• Momentary SelfishnessMomentary Selfishness– What’s in it for meWhat’s in it for me

• Quick Bad DecisionsQuick Bad Decisions– Not using rational judgmentNot using rational judgment

Acts of MisconductActs of Misconduct

Four Most Common Acts Four Most Common Acts Of Correctional MisconductOf Correctional Misconduct

– False ReportsFalse Reports• Protect self/co-workers for misdeedsProtect self/co-workers for misdeeds

– TheftTheft• Inmate, staff, or departmental Inmate, staff, or departmental

– Sexual MisconductSexual Misconduct• Inmate, co-workers, visitorsInmate, co-workers, visitors

– Excessive ForceExcessive Force• InmatesInmates

Causes For MisconductCauses For Misconduct

• Peer PressurePeer Pressure– Omissions on reports to protect co-workersOmissions on reports to protect co-workers

• GreedGreed– Stealing Inmate PropertyStealing Inmate Property

• LustLust– Sexual Misconduct with inmate or co-workerSexual Misconduct with inmate or co-worker

• AngerAnger– Abuse/Excessive Force of inmatesAbuse/Excessive Force of inmates

Unethical acts Unethical acts are a major cause of:are a major cause of:

• Civil SuitsCivil Suits

• Destroying Public TrustDestroying Public Trust

• Ruining a careerRuining a career

• Being sent to prisonBeing sent to prison

Resulting FactorsResulting Factors

• Financial liability – guilty/civil suitFinancial liability – guilty/civil suit

• Negative publicity – employer/employeeNegative publicity – employer/employee– A single act of corruption can destroy the A single act of corruption can destroy the

entire image of a departmententire image of a department

• Loss of credibilityLoss of credibility

• Loss of employment, retirement, future Loss of employment, retirement, future employment prospectsemployment prospects

Responsibilities To Your Responsibilities To Your ProfessionProfession

• True professionals realize they owe a True professionals realize they owe a commitment to their professioncommitment to their profession– Be sincere, loyal and dedicatedBe sincere, loyal and dedicated– Each officer has an obligation to promote Each officer has an obligation to promote

professionalismprofessionalism

ResultsResults

• Sincerity produces ethical conductSincerity produces ethical conduct

• Ethical conduct promotes Ethical conduct promotes professionalism among your peersprofessionalism among your peers

• Professionalism promotes respectProfessionalism promotes respect

The Oath Of HonorThe Oath Of Honor

Honor, Integrity and Respect are never Honor, Integrity and Respect are never betrayedbetrayed

– I will always hold myself and others I will always hold myself and others accountable for having the courage to do accountable for having the courage to do the right thingthe right thing