Todays need for officers to rely on a set of ground rules and ethos is vital to retain public trust. With all the negative media in the papers and on line regarding officer misconduct and professional standards, it is nice to read the Police Officer Code of Ethics to get some perspective. Not all police are badge and gun heavy, most are human beings who truly want to help others. Not all agencies try and make life difficult for their officers but with some it just comes naturally. Retired Police Corporal Chris Grollnek and the Police Code of Ethics makes us as officers consider alternative policing models to solving crimes by following values, not just black and white legal standards. Discretion is the most under-utilized tool an officer can use and typically the most frowned upon when something does not go the way the administration viewed its outcome days later.
Retired Police Corporal Chris Grollnek believes that following these simple values can be the saving grace of nearly any incident where officers may be faulty in a decision that was required to be made in a split second. The issue with most agencies from all the research conducted to complete my post graduate degree circles back to administrative internal politics. As I continue to update this blog with officer conduct articles, it is my intent is to increase the professional aspect of the office each policeman holds and the challenges that comes with the profession. If you take a minute to read the code, it makes people and officers alike understand why officers do what they do daily. Some take for granted the duties of an officer and view them as a revenue machine for municipalities. Others see them as getting in the way of their criminal enterprise. While working undercover and with tactical units, Chris Grollnek realized the importance of this code is stronger than the “think blue line” code because it holds everyone accountable and forces them to “do the best they can while attempting to do the right thing. That unfortunately is not always possible so the “best” solution for the moment sometimes turns out not to be the best after all. I empire the readers of this article who are non-law enforcement to take a ride along with an agency and see a glimpse of what 12 hours working with the public looks like, it may surprise you. For others, enjoy the Code and it literally translates to many walks of life…
Thank you for reading,
Respectfully,
Chris Grollnek
