By the nature of law enforcement, officers in the field are the single most visible facet of ìgovernmentî to the average citizen. The things we do, some-times when right, and always when wrong, are dissected under a microscope by Monday morning quarterbacks everywhere. But would we want it any other way? We are entrusted to protect the safety, lives, and property of every person in this state. With such awesome responsibility there needs to be a very high standard of conduct. Like the cowboy of myth, who lived by ìthe code of the westî we too live by a code. The Code of Ethics, which rules everything we do, and which should be ingrained in all of our minds. This code is meant to be a guide to live our lives by, not just to use at work. The values and principles that we all swear to uphold are designed to teach us all of that higher standard and to remind us daily of that which we stand for. Recently I was privileged to attend the graduation held for new correctional officers at the Fred House Academy. Near the end of the ceremony, I was standing at the back of the room when the director of POST, Sid Groll, led the graduates in reciting and swearing to uphold, the Code of Ethics. Every officer in that room, from grizzled veteran, to those fresh graduates, stood a little straighter, sat a little taller, and were proud as they also recited the code under their breath. It means something, and we honor it. One of the opportunities that I have as President of the UPOA is to hold a seat on the POST Council. This council does many things, from approving the curriculum of POST and the satellite academies, to helping chart the course of law enforcement in Utah. We also are charged with the responsibility of reviewing situations of peace officer misconduct to determine appropriate action in each case. It has amazed me how many cases come before this council, and thereís no other way to say it, the absolutely stupid things that are done by officers who know better and who go against the publicís trust to break the law, or the Code of Ethics. It is a very sad calling to hear of persons who make the choice to go against all that they, and we, should stand for. People who throw away their self respect, integrity, and their certification for some very temporary reason. We all know of the many ways in which officers give in to weakness and end up in trouble. As with most of our ìcustomersî in this business, the average officer disciplinary action can be traced back to one of three things: Sex, Drugs/Alcohol, or Money. I have listened to cases where officers have thrown away their families and careers for brief meaningless sexual liaisons that when they are started, may look like theyíre going to make their lives better. The end result is always despair and ruin, for them, their families, their depart-ments and each of us. We all know of friends or coworkers who have gone down this road and there is seldom a happy ending. I have heard cases in which officers have turned to alcohol or drugs, either recreationally or in what they perceive as need, and have lost everything because of it. We all know that substance abuse of any kind never solves a problem but only masks it temporarily. It then creates larger problems for the abuser. These individuals are not only damaging themselves, but often other people through their meaningless, selfish acts. The stresses of this work are huge but help or relief needs to come in other ways, before irreparable damage is done to ourselves or someone else. I have heard cases in which officers have lost their careers, their self respect, and sometimes their freedom to the quick temptation of money. I know of officers arrested for shoplifting, theft of evidence, or the theft of felony amounts of money while supposedly performing their duty. Iím afraid that Iím being redundant now. You all know these things, and have lost good friends to them along the way, just as I have. I donít want to lose any more. We are the protectors, the guardians, and yes the heroes to some. We are held as role models and examples whether we want it or not. Our neighbors and communities know who we are and they watch what we do. We all need to read and re-read the Code of Ethics until we have memorized it. We should all make a reaffirmation in our own minds to live by it, or to get out now. Law enforcement is a grand profession. I wouldnít trade my eighteen years in it for the world. We need to make sure that it continues to be a career where strong willing people will stand up to protect others from danger and harm. Where future law enforcement officers will learn from our accomplishments rather than being guided away from our mistakes. Where little kids can still play cops and robbers and always want to be the cops. Where we can deserve the love and respect of the citizens of this state, our fellow officers, and most importantly the people who support us every day, our families. It has been an honor to serve you, as president of your UPOA. This is a won-derful organization designed only to better law enforcement in every way possible. It is guided by a Board of Directors who are dedicated to working for you, and who often drive hundreds of miles to attend meetings for no pay. They have supported me in every decision, and have corrected me when I was wrong. I thank them all for it. I hope that in some way I have been able to make things better for us all, and I thank you for the opportunity. Remember to be true to yourself, your family, and your beliefs. Always be careful, and do everything you can to go home safe each night to your loved ones. |
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The Utah Peace Officers Association (UPOA) promotes the best interests of the |
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