What is Josephson Institute’s approach to policing ethics?
“If the government becomes the lawbreaker, it breeds contempt for law and invites every man to become a law unto himself.” – Louis Brandeis, Supreme Court Justice Modern policing takes place in an ethical minefield – from the street to the courthouse, from management to recruiting, from training to on- and off-duty conduct. The mission of our Center for Policing Ethics is to help agencies shape, enhance, and fortify their ethical culture and to prevent misconduct from eroding confidence in the public sector. To accomplish this, the Institute created five core principles for the policing arena: • Place public interest over all other considerations including personal or private interests. • Make decisions on the merits, free from partiality, prejudice, or conflicts of interest. • Conduct police operations openly, efficiently, equitably, and honorably. • Observe the letter and spirit of the law. • Avoid appearances of impropriety or unethical conduct.
