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Entry Level Correctional
Academy
Values and Conduct
Lieutenant Steve Snow
Special Operations Commander
Frederick County Adult Detention Center
Introduction
In addition to the many requirements
necessary to function as a modern
correctional officer, one must possess an
internal set of traits. These are known as:
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Moral Values
Ethical Conduct
Professionalism
Integrity
Definitions
Integrity
• Having character which develops hope,
honesty, courage, empathy, etc.
• Derived from the word integer: wholeness
Definitions
Ethics
• Standards or rules of conduct by which we
live
• Relates to what is RIGHT & WRONG
Definitions
Values
Beliefs upon which our actions and
decisions are made
Professional Expectations
• Correctional Officers must at all times,
and at all levels, exhibit professional
attitudes and conduct
– High esteem and sound moral values
promote and sustain conduct consistent
w/the highest ideals of a profession
Professional Expectations
• Professionalism is the uncompromising pursuit
of excellence
• Professionalism is easy to recognize but hard to
define
• One cannot be a professional without a
professional attitude
• Apathy and a general insincerity toward work
are just not compatible with being a
professional
Professional Expectations
If someone acts like a professional,
thinks like a professional and works
like a professional, then he must truly
be a professional
A Correctional Officers Primary
Responsibilities
• Safety
– Inmates, fellow staff, working environment
• Security
– Inmates, staff, public, physical facility
• Control
– Inmate population (behaviors)
• Custody
– Inmate population
Indifference
Indifference to these moral and ethical
attributes provides the breeding ground
for future misconduct
Motivation for unethical behavior
Why Do Good People Do
BAD THINGS ?
Motivation for unethical behavior
• Rationalize Peer Pressure
– Going along with the group instead of
thinking for self
• Momentary Selfishness
– What’s in it for me
• Quick Bad Decisions
– Not using rational judgment
Acts of Misconduct
Four Most Common Acts
Of Correctional Misconduct
– False Reports
• Protect self/co-workers for misdeeds
– Theft
• Inmate, staff, or departmental
– Sexual Misconduct
• Inmate, co-workers, visitors
– Excessive Force
• Inmates
Causes For Misconduct
• Peer Pressure
– Omissions on reports to protect co-workers
• Greed
– Stealing Inmate Property
• Lust
– Sexual Misconduct with inmate or co-worker
• Anger
– Abuse/Excessive Force of inmates
Unethical acts
are a major cause of:
• Civil Suits
• Destroying Public Trust
• Ruining a career
• Being sent to prison
Resulting Factors
• Financial liability – guilty/civil suit
• Negative publicity – employer/employee
– A single act of corruption can destroy the
entire image of a department
• Loss of credibility
• Loss of employment, retirement, future
employment prospects
Responsibilities To Your
Profession
• True professionals realize they owe a
commitment to their profession
– Be sincere, loyal and dedicated
– Each officer has an obligation to promote
professionalism
Results
• Sincerity produces ethical conduct
• Ethical conduct promotes
professionalism among your peers
• Professionalism promotes respect
The Oath Of Honor
Honor, Integrity and Respect are never
betrayed
– I will always hold myself and others
accountable for having the courage to do
the right thing