Continuum of Compromise Career Survival Continuum of Compromise

Compromise Begins Unprepared Personnel Understanding the Continuum

Sense of Victimization At risk-Jobs are their lives Lose faith in the Criminal Justice System Hostility towards administration Resentment grows

Acts of Omission Rationalize Superficial Investigations “You never get in trouble for the contact you don’t make” “If you don’t do anything, you won’t do anything wrong”

Acts of Commission Administrative Carrying unauthorized weapons or equipment Prohibited pursuits Romantic Incidents on Duty Not reporting accidents Not reporting shots fired Internal sanctions are only consequences thus far

Acts of Commission Administrative Feed-Ins a. “I am not a naïve rookie out to change the world” b. “I know what it is really like out there” c. “ We have to look out for each other because no one else will”

Acts of Commission Criminal Evidence thrown away Overtime inflated A weapon is not put into evidence Property is damaged in retaliation Loyalty versus Integrity dilemma

Entitlement v. Accountability Sense of victimization and resentment “We deserve special treatment” Traffic violations- “Master Shield” Many rules don’t apply to them Professional Courtesy Dilemma Doing the right thing Doing what is right

Loyalty v. Integrity Otherwise innocent personnel protecting the guilty through untruthfulness Consequences

What can be done? Progression is predictable Time spent in preventing ethical compromise through credible training and proactive supervision is less than Internal Affairs and Criminal investigations after the fact If we are to foster an atmosphere of unreproachable ethics, we must implement a comprehensive strategy

Corruption Continuum Scandals can be prevented

Phase 1 Administrative Indifference Indifference serves as the initial breeding ground for future misconduct to begin i.e. ignoring Quality of hiring Perception that discipline/promotions are unfair Disgruntled FTO’s Supervisors treating people with lack of respect

Phase 2 Ignoring Obvious Ethical Problems Lack of knowledge Allowing poor leadership role models Allowing disgruntled FTO’s Conducting ineffective background investigations Allowing a lack of accountability to flourish

Phase 2 Ignoring Obvious Ethical Problems Self-Centeredness Some believe that bringing up integrity problems will hurt them. Discrimination/Harassment Sex among employees married to other people or with a supervisor No accountability, i.e. large number of use of force or citizen complaints New employees completing FTO programs before they are qualified to do so

Phase 3 Hypocrisy and Fear In Phase 3 Hypocrisy and Fear start to dominate the culture-this is a result of years of indifference significant corruption is imminent. Frustration of disrespect and hypocrisy cause supervisors to privately discredit administrators in front of employees What began as indifference destroys morale, productivity and dedication. Extreme bitterness – Warning signs Constant harsh criticism by large groups of people – citizen reviews Open defiance of administrators – ignoring policy Employees rationalize doing unethical things during conversations with each other Helplessness 1. Leads to justification of unethical acts

Phase 4 Survival of the fittest Employees do what it takes to survive. Administrators lack of knowledge prevents corrective actions – Accountability Good employees fear dishonest ones Tradition of ignoring misconduct convinces employees that leaders want it covered up – Accountability / Integrity Code of silence is condoned and privately encouraged FTO’s are resentful and bitter Employees who should be fired and decertified are allowed to resign –gypsy cops – FHD Problem

Phase 4 Cont’d Eight Solutions to Corruption Ensure quality background investigations Have a high quality FTO Program Fight political interference – multiple standards Ensure consistent fair accountability – Sergeants and Managers Conduct effective ethics training Accept nothing less than positive leadership role models – Commanders and Supervisors (the best examples of leadership) Prevent employees from being victimized Implement an effective employee intervention process