Chapter 1 Intro to LE

Responsibilities of a Law Enforcement Officer

• As a law enforcement officer, you are responsible for protecting the public, maintaining order, enforcing laws, and responding to emergencies.
• You may be called to respond to various situations, such as domestic violence, child custody issues, or active shooter events.

Key Skills Required

• Service-oriented
• Dependable
• Communicative
• Problem-solver
• Multitasker
• Ability to think on your feet and react to challenging situations
• Constantly striving to improve skills and assess abilities

Main Roles of a Law Enforcement Officer

• Supporter: Adopted when interacting with the community, providing help and support to people in need, such as those who are grieving, hurt, or experiencing personal tragedy.
• Stabilizer: Displaying confidence to calm those around you in critical incidents, maintaining composure and guiding people through confusion and uncontrolled situations.
• Enforcer: Representing duties that are typically associated with law enforcement, such as making arrests and maintaining order by giving lawful commands.

Effective Role-Switching

• Developing the ability to move between different roles is crucial for effective law enforcement.
• Examples of role-switching include stabilizing a situation to preserve evidence, then shifting into a supporter role when interacting with the victim.

The Role of an Officer

• As an officer, you may need to take on different roles, such as a mediator, educator, or enforcer, depending on the situation.
• The enforcer role is essential, but incorrect or excessive use can damage the community's trust and view of law enforcement.

Emotional Intelligence

• Emotional intelligence is the ability to identify and cope with your own emotions and those of others.
• It helps you recognize when to take on and switch roles, and manage your emotions during chaotic situations.
• Emotional intelligence is not suppressing emotions, but recognizing and coping with them, and using them as assets in your professional life.

Improving Emotional Intelligence

• Engage with community members and genuinely listen to them to improve emotional intelligence.
• Ask fellow officers and command staff for honest feedback on how you deal with tense situations and how approachable you are to the community.

Service and Respect

• Always treat every person you encounter with respect and dignity, regardless of the role you assume.
• Your commitment to service should be at the core of who you are, both on and off the job.

Power Imbalance

• As an officer, you have a unique position of power and authority in your community.
• This power imbalance can lead to people reacting to your presence with fear, mistrust, or anger.

Certification and Regulation

• The Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission regulates the requirements for obtaining and maintaining certification as a law enforcement officer.
• The Commission can take away an officer's certification if they make false statements during their employment process.

Definition of a Law Enforcement Officer

• A law enforcement officer is defined as any person who is elected, appointed, or employed full-time by a municipality or the state, and is vested with authority to bear arms and make arrests.

Reducing Stress

• Prioritize your physical and emotional well-being to reduce stress and improve your personal and professional life.
• Ways to maintain a healthy lifestyle include regular physical exercise, sufficient sleep, a balanced diet, and staying active outside of law enforcement.

Building Resilience

• Establish a life for yourself outside of your job to balance work and home life and reduce stress.
• Having a support system in place, whether professional or personal, can guide you through tough times and help you build resilience.
• Strengthen resilience by making your health a priority, seeking help from licensed mental health professionals, and connecting with people in your support group.

Law Enforcement Code of Ethics

• The Law Enforcement Code of Ethics is a set of principles that guide the behavior of law enforcement officers.
• The code emphasizes the importance of honesty, integrity, and respect for the public trust.

Unethical Behavior

• Unethical behavior can damage an officer's relationship with the community and their career.
• Examples of unethical behavior include:
  • Engaging in criminal offenses, such as bribery and perjury.
  • Misusing position or authority for personal gain.
  • Revealing confidential information.
  • Engaging in situations that present a conflict of interest.
  • Accepting inappropriate favors.

Oath of Honor

• The Oath of Honor is a promise to uphold the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics.
• The oath emphasizes the importance of honesty, integrity, and accountability.

Ethical Standards of Conduct

• The Law Enforcement Code of Ethics provides approved ethical standards of conduct.
• Ethical behavior in law enforcement includes:
  • Being honest in work.
  • Refusing to accept or offer gratuities.
  • Preserving evidence.
  • Giving true and impartial testimony.
  • Obeying all laws and regulations.
  • Protecting the civil rights of everyone.
  • Respecting confidential and privileged communication.
  • Speaking up if you see fellow officers acting unethically.

Ethical Decision-Making

• Law enforcement officers have a duty to intervene if they see another officer committing an offense.
• Ethical decision-making is crucial in law enforcement, both on and off duty.
• Influences on ethical problem-solving include:
  • Fellow officers' attitudes and behavior.
  • Personal views on role and peers.
  • Personal life challenges, such as financial or legal troubles.

Importance of Ethical Behavior

• Ethical behavior is essential in law enforcement to maintain the public's trust.
• Unethical behavior can have serious consequences, including damage to an officer's career and reputation.

Officer Compliance and Discipline

• Good moral character is defined as a history of fairness, honesty, and respect for the rights of others and the laws of the state and nation.
• A thorough background investigation is conducted before hiring to assess moral character.
• The CJSTC may deny certification if evidence indicates non-compliance with moral character standards.

Grounds for Discipline

• Pleading nolo contendere or guilty to, or being found guilty of, any felony
• Pleading nolo contendere or guilty to, or being found guilty of, a misdemeanor involving perjury or false statement
• Failing to maintain good moral character
• Subverting or attempting to subvert the CJSTC-approved training examination process or an employing agency's promotional examination process

Disciplinary Penalties

• Written reprimand
• Probation of up to two years (with or without mandatory retraining or counseling, if applicable)
• Suspension of up to two years (with or without mandatory retraining or counseling, if applicable)
• Revocation of certification

Revocation of Certification

• Certification must be revoked if convicted of, pleading guilty or nolo contendere to, or being found guilty of any felony offense
• Revocation results in the officer no longer being able to work as a certified officer in the state of Florida

Becoming a Certified Officer

• The Florida Statutes define a law enforcement officer as a person who is elected, appointed, or employed full-time, vested with authority to bear arms and make arrests, and whose primary responsibility is the prevention and detection of crime or the enforcement of the penal, criminal, traffic, or highway laws of the state.

Criminal Justice System Structure

• The criminal justice system consists of three main components: law enforcement, courts, and corrections.
• Law enforcement enforces laws, maintains civil order, and protects constitutional rights.
• The court system interprets laws.
• Corrections enforces punishment and rehabilitation services as defined by the court system.

Law Enforcement Agencies

• There are four levels of law enforcement agencies: local/municipal, county, state, and federal.
• Each level is responsible for enforcing laws within its jurisdiction (geographical area).
• Local/municipal agencies enforce municipal ordinances and state laws.
• County agencies enforce county ordinances, state laws, and oversee the county jail.
• State agencies have jurisdiction across the state.
• Federal agencies have jurisdiction across the country.

Corrections System

• Probation and parole are alternatives to incarceration.
• Probation and parole supervise the enforcement of specific restrictions on individuals who have received a suspended sentence or are on parole.

Levels of Criminal Involvement

• Investigating officers must determine the identity of people involved in a criminal incident, including witnesses, victims, and suspected perpetrators.
• Officers must determine what each person knows about the incident and whether they participated in the crime, were a victim, or merely witnessed it.

People Involved in a Criminal Incident

• Complainant: a person who reports a crime or alleges that a crime has been committed.
• Witness: any person who has information about some element of the crime or evidence related to the crime.
• Victim: a person or entity that suffers an injury as a result of a crime.

Officer Disciplinary Process

• The CJSTC may discipline an officer who commits certain violations, including subverting the training examination process.
• Penalties include written reprimand, probation, suspension, and revocation of certification.
• Certification revocation occurs if an officer is convicted of a felony offense, even with a withholding of adjudication or suspension of sentence.

Structure of the Criminal Justice System

• The criminal justice system includes law enforcement, courts, and corrections, maintaining and enforcing criminal laws.
• Law enforcement enforces laws, maintains civil order, and protects constitutional rights.
• The court system interprets laws.
• Corrections enforces punishment and rehabilitation services as defined by the court system.

Law Enforcement Agencies

• There are four levels of law enforcement agencies: local/municipal, county, state, and federal.
• Each level enforces laws within its jurisdiction.
• Local agencies enforce municipal ordinances and state laws.
• County agencies enforce county ordinances and state laws, oversee county jails, and handle civil processing.

Corrections System

• Probation and parole are alternatives to incarceration, supervising people who received suspended sentences or are on parole.

Levels of Criminal Involvement

• Investigating officers determine the identity of people involved in a criminal incident, including witnesses, victims, and suspected perpetrators.
• Officers determine what each person knows about the incident and their level of participation.
• The flow chart shows how people identified in a crime may move from one designation to another as the criminal justice process proceeds.

Key Terms

• Complainant: a person who reports a crime or alleges a crime has been committed.
• Witness: a person with information about the crime or related evidence.
• Victim: a person or entity that suffers an injury as a result of a crime.
• Confidential source: a person who provides information in confidence about a crime.
• Person of interest: someone involved in a criminal investigation who has not been arrested or formally accused.
• Subject: a known person accused or suspected of committing a crime.
• Suspect/detainee: a person believed to have committed a crime.
• Arrestee: a person who is under arrest or has been arrested.
• Defendant: a person formally accused of committing a crime in a court proceeding.
• Offender: a person convicted of a crime in a court of law.

Communication in Law Enforcement

• Vertical communication refers to the flow of information from the agency head down through the supervision levels to the lowest levels of the organization.
• Lateral communication is the communication across a level of the organization to employees on the same level within the chain of command.

Importance of Following Proper Chain of Command

• Following the chain of command is crucial to prevent miscommunication of important information and data.
• Not following the chain of command can lead to confusion and a lack of coordination within the unit.
• Violating the chain of command may result in insubordination, which can be a serious violation.

Delegation of Authority

• Delegation of authority is the assignment of decision-making authority to subordinates.
• Effective delegation of authority is essential for efficient management of an organization.
• It enhances an agency's efficiency by coordinating communication channels and reducing confusion.

Chain of Command

• Chain of command is the order of authority within an organization, providing links of authority and responsibility.
• A typical rank structure in a law enforcement agency includes sheriff/chief of police, undersheriff or chief deputy/deputy chief of police, colonel, major, captain, lieutenant, sergeant, corporal, and deputy/officer/trooper.
• Knowing who has the authority to make decisions and who has the responsibility for the follow-through is the foundation of an effective organization.

Procedural Justice

• Procedural justice is an approach that focuses on carrying out justice in a fair and equitable manner.
• It is composed of four main pillars: fairness and consistency of rule application, voice and representation in the process, transparency and openness of the process, and impartial decision-making.
• Practicing procedural justice helps to strengthen the bonds between law enforcement and the community they serve.

Communication in Law Enforcement

• Vertical communication refers to the flow of information from the agency head down through the supervision levels to the lowest levels of the organization.
• Lateral communication is the communication across a level of the organization to employees on the same level within the chain of command.

Importance of Following Proper Chain of Command

• Following the chain of command is crucial to prevent miscommunication of important information and data.
• Not following the chain of command can lead to confusion and a lack of coordination within the unit.
• Violating the chain of command may result in insubordination, which can be a serious violation.

Delegation of Authority

• Delegation of authority is the assignment of decision-making authority to subordinates.
• Effective delegation of authority is essential for efficient management of an organization.
• It enhances an agency's efficiency by coordinating communication channels and reducing confusion.

Chain of Command

• Chain of command is the order of authority within an organization, providing links of authority and responsibility.
• A typical rank structure in a law enforcement agency includes sheriff/chief of police, undersheriff or chief deputy/deputy chief of police, colonel, major, captain, lieutenant, sergeant, corporal, and deputy/officer/trooper.
• Knowing who has the authority to make decisions and who has the responsibility for the follow-through is the foundation of an effective organization.

Procedural Justice

• Procedural justice is an approach that focuses on carrying out justice in a fair and equitable manner.
• It is composed of four main pillars: fairness and consistency of rule application, voice and representation in the process, transparency and openness of the process, and impartial decision-making.
• Practicing procedural justice helps to strengthen the bonds between law enforcement and the community they serve.

Communication in Law Enforcement

• Vertical communication refers to the flow of information from the agency head down through the supervision levels to the lowest levels of the organization.
• Lateral communication is the communication across a level of the organization to employees on the same level within the chain of command.

Importance of Following Proper Chain of Command

• Following the chain of command is crucial to prevent miscommunication of important information and data.
• Not following the chain of command can lead to confusion and a lack of coordination within the unit.
• Violating the chain of command may result in insubordination, which can be a serious violation.

Delegation of Authority

• Delegation of authority is the assignment of decision-making authority to subordinates.
• Effective delegation of authority is essential for efficient management of an organization.
• It enhances an agency's efficiency by coordinating communication channels and reducing confusion.

Chain of Command

• Chain of command is the order of authority within an organization, providing links of authority and responsibility.
• A typical rank structure in a law enforcement agency includes sheriff/chief of police, undersheriff or chief deputy/deputy chief of police, colonel, major, captain, lieutenant, sergeant, corporal, and deputy/officer/trooper.
• Knowing who has the authority to make decisions and who has the responsibility for the follow-through is the foundation of an effective organization.

Procedural Justice

• Procedural justice is an approach that focuses on carrying out justice in a fair and equitable manner.
• It is composed of four main pillars: fairness and consistency of rule application, voice and representation in the process, transparency and openness of the process, and impartial decision-making.
• Practicing procedural justice helps to strengthen the bonds between law enforcement and the community they serve.

Communication in the Chain of Command

• Communication channels in an organization must include both vertical and lateral communication.
• Vertical communication refers to the flow of information from the agency head down to the lowest levels of the organization.
• Lateral communication refers to communication across a level of the organization to employees on the same level within the chain of command.

Importance of Following the Chain of Command

• Following the chain of command is crucial to ensure proper communication and coordination within an organization.
• Not following the chain of command can lead to miscommunication, damage relationships, and result in confusion and lack of coordination.
• Violating the chain of command can also result in insubordination, which is a serious violation.

Delegation of Authority

• In an organization, the person in command needs to assign decision-making authority to those under their command to effectively manage the organization.
• Decision-making authority is necessary to handle situations where a direct supervisor is not available.

Chain of Command Structure

• A typical rank structure in a law enforcement agency includes:
  • Sheriff/chief of police
  • Undersheriff or chief deputy/deputy chief of police
  • Colonel
  • Major
  • Captain
  • Lieutenant
  • Sergeant
  • Corporal
  • Deputy/officer/trooper
• The rank structure provides the links of authority and responsibility that join one level of an organization to another.

Consequences of Not Following the Chain of Command

• Possible consequences of not following the chain of command include:
  • Miscommunication of important information and data
  • Damage to relationships with immediate supervisors
  • Confusion and lack of coordination within the unit
  • Insubordination, which can be a serious violation

Sexual Misconduct While on Duty

• Sexual misconduct while on duty is a serious violation and can include:
  • Asking a driver for a date during a traffic stop
  • Having sex on duty
• There is an inherent power imbalance between law enforcement officers and the public, and engaging in sexual misconduct can compromise the integrity and impartiality of law enforcement.

Harassment in the Workplace

• Everyone has the right to work in an environment free of harassment and hostile conditions.
• Harassment can take many forms, including quid pro quo harassment, where a supervisor demands sexual favors in return for job benefits.
• A hostile work environment can be created through harassment, making it difficult or uncomfortable for employees to work.

Delegation of Authority

• Delegation of authority is when a person with authority grants decision-making authority to another person.
• It involves the distribution of authority and responsibility at each level of the chain of command.

Procedural Justice

• Procedural justice focuses on carrying out justice in a fair and equitable manner.
• It involves four main pillars:
  • Fairness and consistency of rule application
  • Voice and representation in the process
  • Transparency and openness of the process
  • Impartiality and unbiased decision-making

LEED Framework

• The LEED framework is used to practice procedural justice in daily police work.
• It involves:
  • Listen: giving everyone a chance to tell their side of the story
  • Explain: explaining your actions
  • Equity: making fair decisions
  • Dignity: treating people with respect

Police Legitimacy

• Police legitimacy happens when the community views law enforcement as fair, morally obligated to administer the law, and a legitimate authority of power.
• A positive perception of law enforcement helps build and maintain the public's trust.
• Police legitimacy is connected to building and maintaining the public's trust and is more effective at stopping crime than traditional deterrence.

Importance of Procedural Justice

• Practicing procedural justice minimizes tension and potential violence in law enforcement encounters with the public.
• It helps build trust and strengthens the partnership between law enforcement and communities.

Delegation of Authority

• Delegation of authority occurs when a person with authority grants decision-making authority to another person.
• On each level of the chain of command, there is a distribution of authority and responsibility.

Procedural Justice

• Procedural justice is an approach that focuses on carrying out justice in a fair and equitable manner.
• It involves four main pillars:
  • Fairness and consistency of rule application
  • Voice and representation in the process
  • Transparency and openness of the process
  • Impartiality and unbiased decision-making

LEED Framework

• The LEED framework is a tool to practice procedural justice in daily police work.
• It involves four factors:
  • Listen: give everyone a chance to tell their side of the story
  • Explain: always explain your actions
  • Equity: make fair decisions
  • Dignity: treat people with respect

Importance of Procedural Justice

• Practicing procedural justice minimizes tension and potential violence in law enforcement encounters with the public.
• It helps to build trust and improve relationships between law enforcement officers and the community.

Roles of Law Enforcement Officers

• Law enforcement officers have three main roles: supporter, stabilizer, and enforcer.
• All three roles employ procedural justice.

Emotional Intelligence

• Emotional intelligence is important in the law enforcement profession.
• It helps to improve relations between law enforcement officers and the community.

Certification of Law Enforcement Officers

• The Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission regulates the requirements for obtaining and maintaining certification as a law enforcement officer.
• A law enforcement officer is defined as a person who is elected, appointed, or employed full-time by any municipality or the state, vested with authority to bear arms and make arrests, and whose primary responsibility is the prevention and detection of crime or the enforcement of laws.

Delegation of Authority

• Delegation of authority is when a person with authority grants decision-making authority to another person.
• It involves the distribution of authority and responsibility at each level of the chain of command.

Procedural Justice

• Procedural justice focuses on carrying out justice in a fair and equitable manner.
• It involves four main pillars:
  • Fairness and consistency of rule application
  • Voice and representation in the process
  • Transparency and openness of the process
  • Impartiality and unbiased decision-making

LEED Framework

• The LEED framework is used to practice procedural justice in daily police work.
• It involves:
  • Listen: giving everyone a chance to tell their side of the story
  • Explain: explaining your actions
  • Equity: making fair decisions
  • Dignity: treating people with respect

Police Legitimacy

• Police legitimacy happens when the community views law enforcement as fair, morally obligated to administer the law, and a legitimate authority of power.
• A positive perception of law enforcement helps build and maintain the public's trust.
• Police legitimacy is connected to building and maintaining the public's trust and is more effective at stopping crime than traditional deterrence.

Importance of Procedural Justice

• Practicing procedural justice minimizes tension and potential violence in law enforcement encounters with the public.
• It helps build trust and strengthens the partnership between law enforcement and communities.

Unbiased Policing

• Unbiased policing involves making decisions based on evidence and data, rather than emotions and predetermined ideas.
• Bias can be explicit (conscious dislike) or implicit (unconscious judgments).
• Implicit bias is present in everyone, influenced by factors like media, lack of exposure to diverse groups, and societal factors.

Implicit Bias

• Implicit bias can influence actions without awareness, especially in split-second decisions.
• Understanding implicit bias is the first step in countering its consequences.
• Taking the time to think through actions can help slow down implicit bias.

Discriminatory Practices

• Avoiding bias is only one step in fair and unbiased policing.
• Stereotyping, prejudices, and discrimination must also be avoided.
• Training and communication are key to understanding and preventing sexual harassment.

Consequences of Sexual Harassment

• Engaging in sexual harassment can result in internal disciplinary action, certification revocation, monetary damages, and imprisonment.
• Consequences can be severe, emphasizing the importance of professional behavior.

Fair and Unbiased Policing

• Unbiased policing is the equal treatment of all individuals, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, national origin, homeless status, mental or physical disability, or age.
• Discriminatory or bias-based policing is illegal and can bring criminal or civil penalties.

Constitutional Rights

• The Fourteenth Amendment guarantees every person equal protection under the law.
• Law enforcement agencies may require officers to report demographic data to detect and eliminate unfair policing.
• It is the responsibility of law enforcement officers to treat everyone within the community equally.

Discriminatory or Bias-Based Policing

• Discriminatory or bias-based policing is the unequal treatment of a person based on their race, ethnicity, religion, gender presentation, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, national origin, homeless status, mental or physical disability, age, or other self-defining characteristic.
• This behavior is illegal and can bring criminal or civil penalties against the officer.

The Fourteenth Amendment

• Guarantees every person within the United States equal protection under the law.
• No state can limit this constitutional right; every person is entitled to be treated the same under similar circumstances.

Stereotyping, Prejudice, and Discrimination

• Stereotyping: judging a group of people based on opinions or encounters, which can be positive or negative, but always hurt because they categorize people unfairly.
• Prejudice: an unjustified and baseless attitude toward a person only because of their membership in a social group.
• Discrimination: occurs when people choose to act on their prejudices, leading to unfair treatment.
• These practices can cause misunderstandings, misinterpretation of information, and exclusion of vital information in an investigation.

Unbiased Policing

• Unbiased policing (also known as fair and impartial policing) is the equal treatment of any person, regardless of their race, ethnicity, religion, gender presentation, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, national origin, homeless status, mental or physical disability, age, or other self-defining characteristic.
• Bias is the unfair treatment and attitude toward a group of people, considered unethical behavior.

Consequences of Sexual Harassment

• An officer who engages in sexual harassment may face severe consequences, including:
  • Internal disciplinary action, such as mandatory retraining, leave without pay, loss of rank, and termination.
  • Revocation of certification by the CJSTC.
  • Monetary damages in a lawsuit.
  • Imprisonment in a criminal case, such as stalking, assault, battery, or official misconduct.

Officer Well-Being

• Officer well-being is crucial for recognizing and managing stress, which can impact mind, body, job performance, and quality of life.
• Stress is a physical or emotional reaction to an event or situation, which can be negative or positive.

Types of Stress Response

• Fight response: preparing to face danger head-on
• Flight response: preparing to get away from a dangerous situation
• Freeze response: failing to react

Effects of Stress

• Acute and routine stress can lead to negative effects on life if not managed properly
• Health-related stress responses: headaches, blood pressure changes, loss of sleep
• Job performance-related stress responses: inconsistent work habits, decreased productivity
• Personal relationships can be affected, and chronic health problems can occur if stress is not addressed

Recognizing Indicators of Stress

• Sudden behavioral changes, inconsistent work habits, accidents or injuries, frequent tiredness, sleeping and eating disorders
• Anxiety, alcohol misuse, drug use, and complaints from other officers or community members

Coping with Stress and Building Resilience

• Prioritize health and well-being as a law enforcement officer
• Managing physical health: regular exercise, sufficient sleep, balanced diet, staying active outside of law enforcement
• Establishing a life outside of work, having a support system, and seeking help from mental health professionals can help build resilience