Chapter-1_Unit-1_Lesson-3.pdf

Unit 1 Introduction Lesson 3 Professionalism and Chain of Command Lesson Goal You will be able to behave professionally and work effectively within a chain of command. Think About This Place yourself in the shoes of an inmate for a moment. You are trying to find an officer who would be willin...

Unit 1 Introduction Lesson 3 Professionalism and Chain of Command Lesson Goal You will be able to behave professionally and work effectively within a chain of command. Think About This Place yourself in the shoes of an inmate for a moment. You are trying to find an officer who would be willing to sneak in a cell phone for you. You narrow down your search to two officers. One of- ficer is never late for a shift. His uniform is pressed and straight. He always looks well-rested and alert. He seems focused on his job and many other officers often come to him with questions. The other officer, on the other hand, usually arrives late. He has to be reminded to tuck in his shirt. He can be heard mumbling under his breath whenever he is given a direction by a supervising of- ficer. He spends a lot of his shift talking to the inmates about the previous night’s game or com- plaining about his girlfriend. Which of these two officers would you approach to sneak in a cell phone? Why? Professionalism is behavior that demonstrates good character and is marked by pride in one’s self and career. Examples of these characteristics include service, integrity, respect, quality, fairness, honesty, courage, compassion, moral and ethical leadership, trustworthiness, and common sense. ✅ CO113.1. Understand why professionalism is important to your role as an officer Professionalism requires that you respect the people you serve and maintain a personal commit- ment to the continued development of your skills in the job. Professionalism is also doing the right thing no matter who is looking or whose back is turned. This means applying appropriate values and ethics and knowing what to do in difficult situations. Having the right professional attitude can protect you from inmate manipulation and maintain the safety of you and your co-workers. Professional Behavior ✅ CO113.2. Know why you should be dependable and fulfill obligations Model professional behavior and perform the job to the best of your ability. Always show respect for inmates as well as staff, colleagues, and leadership. Take responsibility for your actions, admit and correct your mistakes, and maintain accountability. Be dependable, strive at all times to work efficiently and consistently, and fulfill your obligations. This includes reporting to your shift on time, wearing the proper uniform, being neat and clean, and consistently performing the best job 14 / Florida Basic Recruit Training Program (CO): Volume 1 possible. This behavior extends beyond the workplace to your personal life as well. For example, practice care and respect in your use of social media. ✅ CO113.3. Know why you must exhibit self-control in performing your duties Your professionalism comes through your image and demeanor, how you communicate, and how well you do your job. Just because an action or behavior is not prohibited in agency policies does not mean it is smart or appropriate to do it. Gossiping about co-workers, discussing personal family problems, using inappropriate language, or attending to personal business at work are not profes- sional behaviors. The work environment of a correctional officer can range from quiet to chaotic throughout the course of a shift. There will be times when you will have to make quick decisions in unexpected, stressful circumstances. Remain calm in these situations. Consider your actions, think through your profes- sional response, and recall skills and information you received during training, and apply agency policies and procedures in your decisions. A sense of professionalism should instill self-control to resist abusing your authority. Remaining fair and level-headed when dealing with others can help avoid escalating a situation into unnecessary violence and endangering inmates and officers. Organizational Structure Chain of command is the order of authority within an organization. It links the authority and respon- sibility of one level of an organization to another. Following a chain of command helps coordina- tion, reduces confusion, and enhances the efficiency of the organization. ✅ CO113.4. Know the chain of command as it is used in a criminal justice agency An organization is a group of two or more people who cooperate to accomplish one or more objec- tives. An organizational chart is a diagram that visually represents an agency and the connection between each position and its rank. Rank structure establishes boundaries between the different levels within the organization. In correctional agencies, this rank structure might be as follows: 1. Sheriff or Warden 6. Lieutenant 2. Undersheriff or Assistant Warden 7. Sergeant 3. Colonel or Chief of Security 8. Corporal 4. Major 9. Deputy or Officer 5. Captain ✅ CO113.5. Understand how chain of command facilitates communication within the organization Organizations use the chain of command to help with communication and make decisions. Ques- tions that officers might have are typically answered at the lowest level possible of the chain of command. You should go to your immediate supervisor for information and assistance. In some Chapter 1 Introduction to Corrections / 15 emergency situations, your direct supervisor may not be available to answer an important question or meet an immediate need. This is when it may be necessary to bypass the chain of command. If this happens, contact your supervisor as soon as possible. For example, in a medical emergency, contact medical or the communications center immediately, and then notify your supervisor. ✅ CO113.6. Understand why chain of command within a criminal justice agency should be followed As part of the chain of command and the organizational structure, an officer must be aware of the importance of following orders. Insubordination, which is a failure to follow lawful orders from supervisors in your chain of command, is considered a very serious offense; however, an order known to be illegal must not be carried out, and an officer refusing to follow an order must be absolutely certain that it violates the law. Otherwise, the officer will be subject to charges of insubordination. 16 / Florida Basic Recruit Training Program (CO): Volume 1