Policing Ethics, Conflict Management & Victims’ Rights

Vocabulary flashcards covering victims’ rights, ethics, conflict management and key NSW Police guidelines.

Charter of Victims Rights

Framework requiring police to treat victims with courtesy, compassion and respect, give access to welfare/health/legal services, and provide ongoing information about investigations and prosecutions.

Victim Follow-Up Deadlines (7 & 28 Days)

Police must contact victims within 7 days of the initial report and again at 28 days to update them on case progress and available support services.

Stereotyping

Pre-formed cultural, social, racial or gender-based ideas—positive or negative—applied to a person or group.

Prejudice

Always negative; an unfounded judgment or dislike (e.g., homophobia) not based on actual knowledge or experience.

Procedural Justice

Public judgment of fairness in police decision-making processes; relies on neutrality, respect, trustworthiness and giving people a voice.

Components of Procedural Justice

Neutrality, Respect, Trustworthiness and Voice—four elements that shape citizens’ perceptions of police fairness.

Conflict-Management Roles

Mediator, facilitator, negotiator and law-enforcer functions used to disrupt aggression and resolve disputes.

Moral Vulnerability

Susceptibility to unethical choices when unlawful access or other pressures erode personal integrity.

Police Discretion

Officer’s choice whether and how to act; determines not only action taken but if any action occurs at all (e.g., deciding a 6-hour move-on).

Listening & Communication Barriers

Obstacles such as distraction, prejudice or emotion that hinder effective listening; overcome with active, assertive engagement and acknowledgment.

Types of Empathy

Emotional (feeling another’s emotions), Cognitive (knowing how they feel/think) and Compassionate (responding to feelings with action).

Corruption – Process vs Noble

Process corruption involves personal gain; Noble-cause corruption seeks the ‘right’ outcome with wrong methods and no personal gain.

Misconduct Reporting – s211F

Must be reported in writing to a sergeant or above, via three accepted channels under section 211F.

ASSCA (5 Steps to Manage Conflict)

Ask, Set context, Set options, Confirmation, Action—structured progression to resolve conflict.

FRAP Conflict Strategy

Focus on situation, Respond professionally, Access verbal & non-verbal cues, Paraphrase understanding.

HERB Assertiveness Rules

Be Honest, negotiate on Equal terms, use Relevant facts only, stick to your Bottom line.

Code of Conduct & Ethics (COCE)

Ten obligations (e.g., behave honestly, treat everyone with respect, obey lawful directions, report misconduct) governing all NSW Police employees.

Police Act 1990 – Section 7

Legislative section establishing the Code of Conduct & Ethics and requiring officers to report misconduct.

Statement of Values (SOV)

NSW Police members must: (a) place integrity above all, (b) uphold rule of law, (c) preserve rights/freedoms, (d) engage community, (e) seek satisfaction, (f) utilise human resources, (g) use public resources efficiently, (h) exercise authority responsibly.

SELF Test

Decision-making checklist: Scrutiny, Ethics, Legislation, Fairness—used to evaluate proposed police actions.