Law Enforcement Interview Imagine Studying the Opinion

Law Enforcement Interview

Imagine studying the opinion of another law enforcement officer. What could one learn from that individual? Does he or she have any recommendations that are worth mentioning? How is discipline issues handled? One will discuss the various questions asked to Daniel Heinze with much analysis.

Why are ethics and character so important in the field of law enforcement?

Daniel (2011) believes that ethics and character is quite important in the field of law enforcement. He said, "From all the years of work I have done in the community, I have seen officers exploit their power by speeding and abusing innocent people" (Heinze, 2011). Recently, in the news, one has exploited another as a means of harming an innocent individual. This person has faced fines and termination from the police department. Everyone in Saline County was disappointed (Heinze, 2011).

One needs to explain how someone gets to work as an officer for the state or county. When he or she applies for a position, a vigorous screening process occurs. The individual goes through an extensive background check, interviewed by a panel, urine analysis for drug testing and his or her doctor's records are examined to see if there is a history of mental illness. If a person passes this, then the next steps are six to ten weeks of training at the academy. However, for some reason, someone does not get past these steps; they are not considered in working for the city. This is because he or she does not have high ethical standards as well as the character to handle the stresses of the job (Heinze, 2011).

Without the department taking these measures, people would continue to make poor choices, and our reputation would get ruined. We are known to do everything possible to protect the community and not the opposite. Anyone who violates our code of conduct faces disciplinary action. He or she could face having to take up to six weeks off from work as well as additional counseling. If anything is found in their case, then he or she will possibly get to go back to work or face termination (Heinze, 2011). "This happens because of how well trained we are with the law and the consequences that follow if any misconduct" (Heinze, 2011).

Do the interviewees feel that police are more ethical today, or were they more ethical ten years ago?

According to Daniel (2011), he said, "I feel that police today and of many years ago are the same in their approach when it comes to ethics." The difference between then and now is that we now have a word for it, ethics. People can go to ethics classes within the department as well as in the college setting. More are aware of this terminology, but not everyone is aware of how to have high standards within the law enforcement industry (Heinze, 2011).

Back then, people took advantage of others without knowing ethics. They may have had high moral standards compared to today, but many chose to kill innocent lives. The system back then did not care. Since then, laws have become quite strict because of what others did a decade ago. For example, when abuse took place, no one spoke of it, unlike now everyone is encouraged to let authorities know. This is quite disturbing (Heinze, 2011).

Currently, officers seek to take advantage of the system by using technology or doing things in secret. They are focused on ways of exploiting it. When they are found out, they are in denial of what happened. One is able to actually get a confession out of them by detailing all the facts and evidence set forth as well as using their words against them. When this occurs, an individual seeks to use manipulation in order to get out of the accusations. The officers keep presenting the truth, and over a period of hours, he or she does confess. This demonstrates how things have changed from then to now (Heinze, 2011).

Why do police officers become involved in misconduct?

Officers become involved in misconduct for a number of reasons. Daniel Heinze (2011) believes that this is because a person's background and the work environment. For example, if a person was physically, emotionally and sexually abused growing up, then he or she will find ways in which to get attention. Through this, one will have difficulty in breaking the cycle of abuse. As a result, he or she will bring it to their job. Many will see their outlandish behavior, and want to know why he or she is acting in that manner (Heinze, 2011).

When someone decides to misbehave at work, he or she may strive to get attention. Obviously, this is done in a negative manner. The person may lose colleagues in this process because of not having the necessary social skills. An issue arises when he or she is not aware of the behavior. If someone decides to confront the individual, most of the time the person does not want to hear it (Heinze, 2011). According to Daniel Henize (2011), he said, "They are seeking attention as a means of losing their job with the police department. Many view their job as fun, instead of taking it seriously. I wonder why they were hired in the first place."

Social skills are important in doing public service. Anyone who does not have these can make poor choices quite easily. In fact, the individual will talk when he or she is not allowed to at that time. Furthermore, the words are generally inappropriate and offensive to others. Sometimes these individuals do not understand how their behavior can affect them on the job. They usually do not last long in the force, and the turnover rate is high because of the lack of ways in which to help them. "I feel sorry for these people because they do not understand the ramifications of their actions, and for some reason a select few straighten up" (Heinze, 2011).

The next area on why people misbehave on the job is because of a lack of morals. They believe that they are above the law and can do whatever one wishes at that time. For example, he or she may lie on their police reports, but when their supervisor sees the errors made, the person chooses to lie. The person is not religious, yet knows that deep down is aware of their actions, whether they are right or wrong (Heinze, 2011). According to Daniel (2011), he said, "These individuals are hard workers. They are too arrogant to take care of the community. All they think about are themselves. I feel sorry for them."

One would not think that working as a Police Officer that one could misbehave. However, this is not always the case. Daniel claims that people do this because they know too much of how the department works and want to see what they can get away with at that time. Furthermore, since their morals are low, one does not care what others think. Many will hide their issue, but eventually, everyone will find out. Sometimes the media will let the entire city and county know (Heinze, 2011). "At that time, we have no choice but suspend them from the job temporarily until the investigation is complete" (Heinze, 2011).

Our policies and procedures are strict. Everyone is supposed to take their job seriously. However, a select few think that it is their opportunity to act up (Heinze, 2011). "I frown upon these individuals because lives are at stake" (Heinze, 2011). All one can do when someone behaves this way is to confront them and hope for the best. Over time, their superior will notice, and he or she may face discipline along with possible termination (Heinze, 2011). This hurts the entire organization because then those who are executives have to strive to find ways in which to fill the gaps. The budget is already tight and people are already striving to train the new employees who come into the force. Without these issues, one's job is easier and not so difficult because of it (Heinze, 2011).

Do the interviewees feel that there is enough training offered in ethics at the police academy level? If not, why is that?

According to Daniel Heinz (2011), he believes that there is not enough training offered at the police academy level. Most of the time, they focus on the laws and memorizing them. A person goes through rigorous ways in studying them. However, one can know the letter of the law, but fail to adhere to it despite not knowing ways in which to handle it. In fact, during our training, we only have three hours of ethics. This is not enough in which to help people to learn right from wrong as well as to make good choices in the workplace.

"This is what I have seen as an officer. Most people who have more ethics training do better in adhering to the law and obeying it in the workplace too" (Heinze, 2011). When this is in place, one learns that their standards are higher, and he or she adheres to them in a more efficient manner. They actually take that time to care for others and to put them first, instead of themselves. These individuals do whatever is possible to keep learning more about this topic and to make suggestions in which to make the work environment more pleasant despite having to deal with crimes and perpetrators' on a regular basis (Heinze, 2011). "I don't like seeing misbehavior in the workplace because a person is supposed to be professional and not acting dysfunctional" (Heinze, 2011).

From what Daniel has heard from others, he mentioned that not enough ethics classes are taking place. They take one class during college, but the only place in which it does occur is that of the hospital and clinical setting. Many of them stress the Health Information Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). This can become an issue of laws are stressed but not enough about ethics. A person can choose to do much manipulating on the little training provided to them at the academy with this issue (Heinze, 2011).

Daniel suggested the following (2011). Regular audits need to take place, such as every quarter. When this occurs, he or she is able. The same applies to ethics. However, if one wants to pay for taking a class outside of working hours, then the police department can reimburse him or her for it (Heinze, 2011). In regards to continuing education, "everyone has to stay current with their gun and the various laws available. Why not with ethics and ways to stay current with it" (Heinze, 2011)?

Should ethics training be offered as an on-going process for law enforcement officers?

Ethics needs offered on an ongoing basis. In fact, Daniel (2011) believes that this should take place every two to three months. This is because of how intense the situation is in the workplace and how one has to deal with crime on a regular basis. Without the possibility of having this available means that people will continue to act up. Overtime, behavior will minimize because of them knowing what expectations are required for the job, and the consequences that will follow. Most bosses would become elated seeing this occur in their workplace (Heinze, 2011).

The interviewee stressed that when people fail to actually take part in the training, they are closer to termination with the city and government. He or she may no longer have a job. This can cost the departments thousands of dollars a year because of having to train others as well as hire people on a tight budget because of the difficulty of the entire process of finding the best qualified worker around (Heinze, 2011). Daniel said, "If we had more ethics training, people would do their job with higher quality, and the complaints from the citizens would become much less" (2011). One has to note the significance of that statement; he or she would have to step it up with their leadership both in and outside of the force. People would do a better job with their work and actually care about others through this entire process (Heinze, 2011).

Daniel went on about this subject for quite awhile, and one can definitely say that he would do everything possible to get it implement state and nationwide on every level of law enforcement. He was quite passionate. One would go as far as seeing if there is a way in which letting others know in the department first and foremost to get an opinion poll. The interviewee liked this idea, and believes it needs implemented immediately (Heinze, 2011).

Do the interviewees feel that education and/or training in ethics would reduce incidents of police corruption?

The interviewee appeared indifferent on whether or not education and/or training would make a difference with using ethics in the workplace. For example, people are always going to misbehave in the police department as well as choose to break the law. He believes that as he sees individuals want to do the wrong thing, an ethics class is not going to make that much of a difference. In fact, the individual will try harder to find a way around the policies and procedures because of it. Furthermore, a person is going to do what it is he or she chooses. By having something in place, this may make it minimal until someone finds a way around the system set forth by the organization itself (Heinze, 2011).

Not only that, but when individuals want to misbehave; they will do so regardless if rules are set in place. Daniel made note of this on many occasions. He stressed that people who want to stay bad will remain this way regardless if any rules are in place. This is significant because it all comes down to the choices one makes on a regular basis. A person can decide to behave positive or negative and with good cause, but the choice is up to them, regardless. Each person can become strong willed and stubborn to fulfill their selfish wishes but do it differently. For example, some choose to work hard for their income, while others steal for a living (Heinze, 2011).

Conclusion

Ethics is an issue when it comes to working in the force as a Police Officer or Sheriff. These are important jobs for one to take on because it requires much sacrifice and knowledge. In order for one to take on such a position, he or she has to think about others before themselves; however, this is not always the case. This is exactly what one interviewee did. His name is Daniel Heinze, and he is a Sheriff with the Salina Police Department. He has worked there for decades and is passionate about his position and to make sure that people do their job in a proper manner (Heinze, 2011).

One needs to note the questions that were asked during the interview. These consisted of the following. Why are ethics important in the field of law enforcement? Do the interviewees feel that police are more ethical today, or were they more ethical ten years ago? Why do police officers become involved in misconduct? Do the interviewees feel that there is enough training offered in ethics at the police academy level? If not, why is that? Should ethics training be offered as an on-going process for law enforcement officers? Do the interviewees feel that education and/or training in ethics would reduce incidents of police corruption? All of these were important and had an important aspect in the interview with Daniel Heinze. Each question was analyzed in detail and helped one to understand the perspective from an officer standpoint (Heinze, 2011).

According to Daniel (2011), he believes that one needs much character in order to behave ethically. However, we all have character, but it is a matter in how we use it. He said, "From all the years of work I have done in the community, I have seen officers exploit their power by speeding and abusing innocent people" (Heinze, 2011). The news is known for bringing out the worse in officers, and that is why I do not watch it because I know the truth about my colleagues. Sometimes they make poor choices, but we do our best to support each other through the good times and bad (Heinze, 2011).

One has to keep in mind that in order to get into the academy is rigorous enough. If he or she does not have character by the time he or she is hired, then there is no way that person will have character when becoming a Police Officer. For example, the individual has to turn in the application, go to an interview that consists of a panel, and to do everything possible to pass the UA, background check as well as mental health exam. This is no easy task and could take months before the person goes into training. Regardless, one has to remain strong and have much patience. Also, upon completing the program, when getting out into the real world, a variety of citizens are subject to complaining. If a plethora takes place, he or she may no longer have a position, which is devastating for everyone and the individual involved (Heinze, 2011).