PROFESSIONALISM for DETENTION OFFICERS

1. PROFESSIONALISM for DETENTION OFFICERS 2008 In-Service Training

2. 1996 – 2006 Average Certified Detention population in North Carolina 6,549 Yearly Average 37 1996 – 2006 Total number of North Carolina Detention Officers who have had their certifications revoked, suspended, or been denied certification 370 Statistics provided by DOJ Training and Standards NC Detention Officer Statistics

3. Training Objectives 1. Analyze the decision making process as it applies to the professionalism of a detention officer. 2. Determine how making good and bad decisions at work and away from work can be related to the professionalism of a detention officer. 3. Differentiate ways in which the ideology of groupthink can affect an officer’s career as a detention officer.

4. Training Objectives • Explain how policy and procedures and general orders can create a professional environment in a detention facility. • Illustrate the elements involved in creating a professional environment in the detention facility, including prevention of sexual harassment, unethical behavior, entitlement mindset, and negative attitudes. • Identify character traits that are commonly associated with a professional detention officer.

5. Professionalism Defined: Behavior and attitude patterns exhibiting standards and character marked by pride in oneself and one’s chosen career; respect for the people served and commitment to the continued development of skill in the pursuit of excellence.

6. CASE STUDY #1 Royalty-free, courtesy of FOTOSEARCH.com

7. Decision Making Process Defined: The actual thinking process that occurs when a person is faced with having to decide on a specific course of action • Some are clear-cut and easy • Some not so easy due to extenuating circumstances or lack of knowledge

8. 1. Family 2. Church 3. Neighborhood and friends 4. Schooling and education level 5. Work environment 6. Our city and/or nation Influences on Decision Making Various aspects of our lives impact and influence our thinking and decision making process

9. BELL BOOK CANDLE Decision Making Models Bell, Book, and Candle Does it sound right? Does it violate a law or general order? How will it look when exposed to the light of day?

10. Is my action legal? • Is the action fair and balanced for all concerned? • How will I feel about myself if the public knew of my decision? Decision Making Models Blanchard and Peale’s Ethics Check

11. CASE STUDY #2

12. Good Decisions at Work Examples of what good decisions can lead to: 1. Possible promotion 2. Respect from fellow officers and inmates 3. Consistency in the performance of duties 4. Good reputation 5. Supervisory support against false or questionable allegations from inmates

13. Bad Decisions at Work Examples of what bad decisions can lead to: 1. Dismissal, suspension, or decertification 2. Poor reputation 3. Increased scrutiny by supervisors 4. Poor evaluations resulting in less merit raises 5. More susceptible to inmate con games

14. Effects of Actions AWAY from Work The public feels empowered to have a right to know, because of “Public Trust.” “Perception equals Reality” When it comes to trust perception is reality. “We judge other people by their actions, but we judge ourselves by our intent.” * *Jack Azzaretto from the University of California

15. Reflections of Our Actions It is paramount to remember that our actions do not just reflect upon us as individuals, but they reflect on many others as well: • Self • Agency • Family • Neighbors and friends • Community and child’s school

16. GROUPTHINK A mentality in which the cohesion of the group becomes more important than good professional and ethical decision making.

17. Signs and Symptoms of Groupthink • Illusions of invulnerability in which the group can do no wrong. • Collective efforts to rationalize or discount warnings. • Pressure to conform and not express one’s own views.

18. Signs and Symptoms of Groupthink • Stereotyped views that guide decision making or an “Us vs. Them” mentality. • A shared illusion of unanimity (everyone always agrees).

19. CASE STUDY #3

20. They can protect the officer as well !!!! Policy and Procedures Policy and Procedures along with General Orders don’t just protect the agency... Unfortunately, we usually don’t think about that fact in relation to these documents.

21. Protection Through General Orders General Orders give the officer: • A sense of structure in his work day. • Guidelines in which to perform his daily duties. • The agency’s expectations of his/her performance and behavior. • Guidance in how to handle most situations on the job. • Strength and reassurance when making difficult decisions especially those unpopular with inmates.

22. Inmate Handbook When in place in a detention facility, the inmate handbook: • Serves as the mandate which inmates must live by while in the facility. • Explains the consequences for improper inmate behavior. • Assists the detention officer in decision making with added structure and justification. • Can minimize complaints against detention officers and establish a good professional persona.

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24. Elements that Create a Professional Environment • Educate • Training • Lead by example (Top-down model) • Strong reactions to policy infractions There are four primary elements used to create a professional environment in the workplace.

25. Professional Character Traits • Clean, neat, and pressed uniform and appearance. • Always on-time to work and has a pleasant attitude. • Knows policy and procedures, general orders, and follows them. • Shows good moral and ethical decision making on the job. • Willing to share their knowledge to help fellow officers improve.

26. Training Objectives 1. Analyze the decision making process as it applies to the professionalism of a detention officer. 2. Determine how making good and bad decisions at work and away from work can be related to the professionalism of a detention officer. 3. Differentiate ways in which the ideology of groupthink can affect an officer’s career as a detention officer.

27. Training Objectives • Explain how policy and procedures and general orders can create a professional environment in a detention facility. • Illustrate the elements involved in creating a professional environment in the detention facility, including prevention of sexual harassment, unethical behavior, entitlement mindset, and negative attitudes. • Identify character traits that are commonly associated with a professional detention officer.

28. QUESTIONS? QUESTIONS? QUESTIONS?

29. “Society may often forget about the gatekeeper known only as a detention officer, but what would society do without him at that gate.”