Affairs and inappropriate relationships with citizens and fellow officers alike have toppled even the highest ranking officers. That ring means something.
hinged on a case where the perp walks and the media talks about us. Set your organization’s moral compass now. How could your integrity be dragged into the courtroom? What about any off-duty misadventures that could have surfaced in social media, the local news, or coffee shop leg- ends? Everyone knows of cops behaving badly stories, es- pecially when out of town or there is interaction with other law enforcement agencies. No need to share stories, we all have several.
Now to defend these on the stand or in the media, we all know of promising careers wasted over near frat-like antics. Police offi cers need to decompress and have stress relief from the rigors of the job, but stay within due bounds to keep the job. Harvey advice to all is this: If you have a group going out, appoint a handler. This can be the control offi cer, wing- man and designated driver all rolled into one.
Divorce Rates
Affairs and young cop divorce rates: In the academy, this is blushed over about the stress of police marriages, and most of the students may not be married yet and doze through this topic. Now on the streets, there are these mystical creatures of the night who are attracted to men and women in uniform. There is always a story of a young cop who fi nds this young lady who is ‘midnight pretty’ and soon the adventure begins. Warn all of your young coppers of the dangers of badge bun- nies, holster sniffers, and these other changelings who lurk in the night.
Freebies, discounts and an ‘on the arm’ climate is another departmental culture question that must be made clear. Yes,
The duty gun, off-duty gun, and ammo for both all need to be department approved.
there are some departments where this is acceptable behavior and others forbidden. If your department has written policy on this, make sure it is understood by all. I have even had to give copies of my policy to businesses so they will not lure a naïve offi cer into a violation.
I have seen letters to the editor with offi cers’ names, amounts and tales of this culture spilling into the news. It is diffi cult to defend and it also can become a transition to abuse of offi ce. There is a vast amount of difference between a free coffee and protection money, but both are diffi cult to defend to the public.
Non-Approved Gear and Techniques The use of equipment, whether it is unapproved or approved equipment in unapproved applications, can create a career ending event. Misuse of governmental property is codifi ed in most every state. The reason departments and national/ state accreditation standards articulate the use of equipment is simple and a liability protection. The practice of bring- ing unapproved equipment on the job can be a violation within itself.
We all know of offi cers who thought they had a better idea after a visit to the local cop shop or the latest cop catalog was delivered. Just because it is on the market does not mean it is within legal state perimeters (some items are illegal from state to state) and may fall outside the departmental rules and regulations. Everyone knows of some offi cer who bought the latest cop fad gadget, which will later be equated to an imple- ment of torture in the courts. This is yet another reason why supervisors should conduct compliance inspections. A similar worry is the use of unapproved or vetted defen- sive tactics programs. Most all states and departments select
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