Law Enforcement Leadership, Ethics, and Use of Force Principles

What are the Five Exemplary Practices of Leadership?

Model the Way, Inspire a Shared Vision, Challenge the Process, Enable Others to Act, Encourage the Heart.

What characterizes professional law enforcement authority?

Power, Force, Discretion, Control, Influence, Leadership, Command Presence.

How do LE core values influence the ethical use of authority?

They define character, guide decision-making, and provide a foundation for a successful career.

What are the LEO core values?

Integrity, Fairness, Respect, Honesty, Courage, Compassion.

What does integrity mean in law enforcement?

Uprightness of character, sound moral principles, and absolute truthfulness.

What does fairness mean in law enforcement?

Administering duties with impartiality and justice, without abusing discretionary power.

What does respect mean in law enforcement?

Acknowledging the rights and values of others.

What does honesty mean in law enforcement?

Being truthful, trustworthy, reliable, and sincere.

What does courage mean in law enforcement?

The ability to face difficulty with resolve and without excessive fear.

What does compassion mean in law enforcement?

Understanding and sympathy for victims or others' suffering.

What are the elements of the OPSEC cycle?

Identify critical information, Analyze threat, Analyze vulnerabilities, Assess risk, Apply countermeasures, Periodic assessment.

What is critical information in the OPSEC cycle?

Information important to U.S. objectives that requires safeguarding.

What is a threat in the OPSEC cycle?

Anyone with the intent and capability to cause harm.

What is the risk equation in the OPSEC cycle?

Risk = Threat X Vulnerability X Impact.

What are the four Cardinal Virtues in ethical behavior?

Courage, Temperance, Justice, Wisdom.

What is the Bell, Book, and Candle test?

A method to evaluate ethical decisions based on intuition, legality, and fairness.

What is conformity bias?

The tendency to align actions with group norms or authority figures.

What is confirmation bias?

The tendency to favor information that confirms prior beliefs.

What is authority bias?

The tendency to attribute greater accuracy to the opinion of authority figures.

What is the first step in the Critical Thinking & Decision Action Process?

Inquire: The gathering of information and identifying symptoms to an issue.

What does the 'Define' step in the Critical Thinking & Decision Action Process involve?

Clearly defining the problem or issue.

What is involved in the 'Weigh' step of the Critical Thinking & Decision Action Process?

Listing all available alternatives to the ethical dilemma and their best and worst-case consequences.

What does the 'Act' step in the Critical Thinking & Decision Action Process entail?

Putting into action the decision made after weighing all possible alternatives.

What is the purpose of the 'Evaluate' step in the Critical Thinking & Decision Action Process?

To evaluate actions taken to determine if the action resulted in the expected outcome.

What is heuristic thinking?

System 1 thinking which is subconscious and involves intuitive fast types of thinking.

What does critical thinking allocate attention to?

Effortful mental activities that demand it, including complex computations.

What is creative thinking?

The ability to conceive new and innovative ideas by breaking from established thoughts, theories, rules, and procedures.

What is holistic thinking?

The ability to see the big picture and recognize the interconnectedness of components in a large system.

What are the methods to create or foster an ethos-based culture?

Building a culture of ethical behaviors, challenges to building an ethical culture, and giving voice to values.

What is one way to build a culture of ethical behaviors?

Lead by example.

What is a challenge to building an ethical culture?

Short-term pressure for results.

What is the first pillar of Giving Voice to Values?

Values: Know and appeal to a list of widely shared values.

What does the second pillar of Giving Voice to Values emphasize?

Choice: Discover and believe you have a choice about voicing values.

What are fighting words?

Personally abusive epithets likely to provoke a violent reaction.

What is the three-part test for true threats?

1. Intentionally communicate a clear and present determination to assault. 2. Intended that recipient would feel threatened. 3. Would a reasonable person believe the speaker was serious.

What does advocacy of imminent lawless action involve?

Aiding, abetting, counseling, or commanding a crime.

What does the legislative branch of the U.S. government do?

Creates and enacts necessary and proper laws.

What is the role of the executive branch of the U.S. government?

Enforces the law.

What does the judicial branch of the U.S. government do?

Interprets the laws and determines the constitutionality of laws and executive actions.

What rights does the 1st Amendment protect?

Freedom of religion, speech, peaceful assembly, press, and right to petition.

What does the 4th Amendment protect against?

Unreasonable searches and seizures.

What rights are granted by the 5th Amendment?

Right to a Grand Jury, protection against double jeopardy, right to not self-incriminate, and due process.

What rights does the 6th Amendment guarantee?

Right to a speedy/public trial, informed of accusation, confront witnesses, compulsory process, and assistance of counsel.

What does the 8th Amendment prohibit?

Excessive bail/fines and cruel/unusual punishment.

What does the 14th Amendment do?

Applies the same rights to the states as the federal Bill of Rights.

Where are rights of expression greatest under the 1st Amendment?

In public forums.

How can the government control expression in public forums?

By obtaining permits that restrict time, place, and manner of expression.

What are some mitigating strategies to reduce negative lifestyle impacts on wellness in law enforcement?

Sleep, nutrition, physical activity, and stress management techniques.

What is a strategy for improving sleep in law enforcement?

Implement flexible scheduling.

What is a recommended nutritional strategy for law enforcement?

Aim for better not perfect nutrition.

What is one approach to physical activity for law enforcement?

Do something every single day.

What is a key aspect of stress management?

Define your goals and make them realistic.

What is the role of Congress in lawmaking?

Congress passes laws, but the President can veto.

How can Congress override a presidential veto?

Congress can override vetoes by a 2/3 vote.

Who appoints Justices in the U.S.?

The President appoints Justices with Senate approval.

Who can be impeached and tried by Congress?

The President, Justices, and Federal judges can be impeached and tried by Congress.

What authority does Congress have regarding courts?

Congress can establish lower courts and define their jurisdiction.

Who has the power to appropriate money?

Congress alone can appropriate money.

What can the President do regarding laws passed by Congress?

The President can choose not to implement or enforce the laws.

What are the legal standards for the use of force in Graham v. Connor?

Use of force must be objectively reasonable and viewed from the perspective of a reasonable officer on scene.

When is deadly force considered objectively reasonable?

When a suspect threatens the officer with a weapon or poses a significant threat of death or serious bodily injury.

What must officers do before using deadly force?

Give a warning to the suspect, if feasible.

What legal issues are associated with intermediate weapons?

The use must be objectively reasonable, weighing the nature of the intrusion against governmental interest.

What factors guide the use of intermediate weapons?

Officers should reference the Graham Factors and consider the circumstances at the moment of force application.

What is the constitutional standard for using force?

Force must be objectively reasonable based on the totality of circumstances.

What factors may cause unnecessary hesitation in using force?

Unintended training consequences, personal beliefs, legal misunderstandings, agency policy, belief in lawsuits, and media persecution.

What methods can overcome hesitation in use of force?

Winning mindset, proactive use of force, and mental preparation.

What are the fundamentals of documenting a use of force incident?

Reports should be objective, focusing on facts, and include legal reasons, suspect actions, and medical care provided.

What human performance factors impact use of force responses?

The conscious mind (rational, analytical) and subconscious mind (reflexive, processes danger).

What physiological changes occur during high-stress encounters?

Muscle tension, rapid breathing, dizziness, sweating, and loss of motor skills.

What perceptual changes occur during high-stress encounters?

Diminished sound, tunnel vision, heightened visual clarity, and memory loss.

How can officers overcome physiological responses to danger?

Using box/combat breathing and sighs of relief.

What strategies build resilience for law enforcement officers?

Mental rehearsal, understanding law and policy, reality-based training, physical fitness, and expecting to win.

What is culture?

Culture is the customary beliefs, social forms, and material traits of a group, learned behavior transmitted across generations.

What are the major components of culture?

Language, dress, religion, symbols, government, and arts.

What are the principal barriers to effective cross-cultural communication?

Language, ignorance of cultural norms, prejudice, and ethnocentrism.

What is prejudice?

A preconceived opinion or feeling, usually unfavorable, formed without thought or knowledge.

What is stereotyping?

A form of patterning; perceiving a similarity between two events or things because of superficial features.

What is ethnocentrism?

The belief in the superiority of one's own ethnic group.

What are negative impacts of racial profiling in law enforcement?

Increased tension between communities, fear and lack of trust in law enforcement, diluted effectiveness of law enforcement efforts, indignation and embarrassment, perception of police oppression.

What skills can improve cross-cultural communication?

Stay interested in current events, visit cultural sites, talk to other law enforcement officers about cultures, and engage with people from different cultures.

What are the components of the winning survival circle?

Mental preparedness, tactics, physical preparation, equipment, shooting skills.

What are the dozen deadly errors in law enforcement?

Failure to exercise due regard while driving, improper use of handcuffs, not enough rest, relaxing too soon, missing danger signs, taking a bad position, failure to watch the hands, tactical restraint, preoccupation, failure to maintain health, complacency.

What are some risk trends in law enforcement?

Carrying a weapon off duty, hiding professional identity, increasing home security, discarding sensitive mail, ensuring travel safety.

What are physiological effects of stress?

Pupils dilate, breathing quickens, heartbeat quickens, awareness heightens, adrenaline enters blood, muscles tense, perspiration increases, digestion slows, cholesterol increases.

What are psychological effects of stress?

Denial, isolation, preoccupation with the event, heightened sensitivity to others' reactions.

What are potential stressors for law enforcement officers?

Personal issues, family, finances, health, lifestyle, housing, living conditions.

What are some stress management techniques?

Develop a life plan, social coping, nurture spirituality, engage in hobbies, take vacations, physical exercise, maintain proper nutrition.

What are support systems for managing stress?

Self care, buddy check, intervention (ACT Model).

What is government critical infrastructure?

Assets, systems, and networks vital to the U.S. that, if incapacitated, would impact national security, economic security, or public health.

What roles do officers have in protecting critical infrastructure?

Ensure security, safety, operational continuity, physical security, access control, incident response, surveillance, counterterrorism, coordination with agencies.

What is the National Crime Information Center (NCIC)?

A primary database providing information on wants/warrants, fingerprints, probation/parole status, mug shots, convicted sex offenders, and more.

What are the essential elements of law enforcement notes?

Notes should be contemporaneous, accurate, complete, clear, objective, retained until court actions are finalized.

What are the essential elements of a narrative police report?

Accurate, complete, concise, clear, objective.