Honoring the Badge: Spotting and Avoiding Ethical Pitfalls

PRESENTATION DESCRIPTION

Modern policing operates within a complex ethical landscape, where decisions made in a split second can reverberate from the streets to the courtroom and beyond. These decisions shape public perception, influence officer wellness, and define the legacy of law enforcement agencies. Honoring the Badge, co-created by former Detective Captain Jim Dugan and renowned ethicist Michael Josephson, blends academic insight with realworld application, offering practical strategies to enhance institutional effectiveness and credibility within policing agencies. The presentation vividly demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining ethical standards in law enforcement and the severe consequences of ethical compromise. Jim draws from his own experiences to offer a powerful cautionary tale, emphasizing the need for resilience, support, and integrity within the profession. This dynamic presentation goes beyond surface-level discussions, providing a thought-provoking journey that highlights often overlooked ethical dilemmas in law enforcement. Participants will leave with a renewed understanding of how ethical decision-making is not just a professional necessity but a cornerstone of effective, respected, and trusted policing.

Learning Objectives

• Identify Causes of Unethical Behavior: Upon completion, attendees will be able to list and critically discuss the major causes of unethical behavior in law enforcement, such as moral erosion, negative social learning, cognitive rationalization, and unethical organizational culture. These insights will be reinforced through interactive discussions, comprehensive research reviews, and targeted video teachings, ensuring that participants can recognize and address these issues within their own agencies.

• Understand the Impact of Unethical Behavior: Attendees will gain a deep understanding of the short- and longterm impacts of unethical behavior on career trajectories and personal wellness. They will explore how unethical actions can erode an officer’s Noble Purpose and Noble Character, leading to devastating consequences. A unique case study will provide a real-world example of the profound, often irreversible consequences of rationalizing improper actions within the policing profession.

• Integrate The Six Pillars of Character®: Participants will learn to define and integrate The Six Pillars of Character®—trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship—into their daily activities and training programs. They will develop strategies to prevent ethical issues before they arise and create an organizational culture that prioritizes ethical behavior, thereby enhancing the overall effectiveness and reputation of their law enforcement agencies.

Host or Publisher Drake University - Robert D. & Billie Ray Center