Riverside Sheriff Training Outlines

Riverside County Sheriff's Department Chad Bianco, Sheriff-Coroner Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center 16791 Davis Avenue, Suite A • Riverside • California • 92518 www.riversidesheriff.org Citizens' Academy Expanded Couse Outline RSD# 2017001 CITIZENS ACADEMY EXPAND ED COURSE OUTLINE The Riverside County Sheriffs Department is offering an eight-week, 24-hour Citizen's Academy at the Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center, located at 16791 Davis Avenue, in Riverside, CA. Classes are generally held eight consecutive Thursdays from 1800-2100 hours. Riverside County residents will learn the daily operations of the Sheriffs Department , (along with the policies and procedures within law enforcement.) Topics will include the history and functions of the Sheriffs Department , law enforcement ethics, and criminal law. Guest speakers will cover subjects related to forensics, hostage negotiations, special weapons and tactics team, and media relations. During this eight-week course, participants may have an opportunity to tour the Robert Presley Detention Center and the Coroner's Office in Perris. All applicants must be at least 18 years old, reside in the County of Riverside, and have no prior felony convictions or misdemeanor arrests within one year of applying for the academy. I. Introductions A. Registration. B. Welcome. C. Department expectations. II. Ethics A. Mission B. Class expectations C. Course objectives D. Thinking and perception E. Paradigm s 1. A bird in the bush F. Definition s 1. Ethics 1 G. 2. Values 3. Principals 4. Morals 5. Integrity 6. Character Ethics and behavior 1. Ethics a. What are ethics? i. Ethics are the accepted principles of conduct governing decisions and actions based on values and expectations . Ethics play a dominant role in one's daily conduct and personal choices. b. It is also about self-restraint: i. Not doing what you have the power to do. a. An act isn't proper simply because it is permissible or you can get away with it. c. Not doing what you have the right to do. i. There is a big difference between what you have the right to do and what is right to do. d. Not doing what you want to do. i. An ethical person understands the values of self-control. e. As ethical people, we should: i. Put ourselves in the place of others ii. Recognize how our actions affect others iii. Seek to help when possible iv. Refrain from causing avoidable harm v. Intervene to prevent unethical behavior by others ... including peers vi. Note-In short, we should adhere to the Golden Rule: "Do unto others as you would have others do unto you." f. Obstacles to ethics i. Ethics of self-interest. 2 b. The real test of our ethics is whether we are willing to do the right thing even when it is not in our self-interest. ii. The pursuit of perceived happiness. c. The unity of principled belief and honorable behavior is the foundation for real happiness. 2. Values a. What are values? i. Values are what we prize and our value system is the order in which we prize them. ii. The chief cause of failure and unhappiness in the world stems from sacrificing what we want MOST for what we want at the MOMENT. b. Where do values come from? i. Shaped by our upbringing ii. Events occurring in our lives iii. Influence of others a. Parents b. Teachers c. Friends d. Note-It is important to remember that the values of one person or group may differ widely from another person or group. Both may perceive their beliefs or conduct as "right" based on their value system c. Types of values i. Societal ii. Organizational iii. Professional iv. Personal 3. Principles a. What are principles ? i. Ethical standards that people rely on for guidance in decision making. a. Personal convictions b. Religious beliefs 3 b. Cultural roots c. Family background d. Peers (either negatively or positively) e. Department/agency and community expectations f. Published and printed material related to professional conduct (e.g., Law Enforcement Code of Ethics, Department General Orders). i. Where are the standards for RSO found? a. 123 years oftradition b. Set forth by law c. General Orders d. Policy and procedure e. Public expectations f. Personal expectations 4. Morality a. What are morals? i. Personal convictions about right and wrong ii. Often used to refer to a system of principles and judgments shared by those whose concepts and beliefs determine whether given actions are ri.gh! or wrong. iii. "Moral compromise always leaves us vulnerable." Pastor Greg Laurie 5. Integrity a. What is integrity? i. Holding true to one's values. ii. Keeping your word. iii. Knowing what is important and acting accordingly. iv. The disposition to firmly adhere to values or standards. v. Note-It is carried out whether anyone is watching or not. 6. Character a. What is character? i. It is our moral maturity and commitment to doing the right thing regardless of the personal cost. 4 ii. It involves the will to respond to stimuli according to values and principles rather than to appetites, urges, whims, or impulses.