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cjustice
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Posted: Wed Apr 29th, 2009 08:57 pm | 1st Post |
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This is the introduction thread for students in the following courses:
All Union Institute and University Spring/Summer 2009
(Includes Session I, Session II and Semester Learners)
You must make two posts to receive full credit.
For this discussion you will need to look at two webpages:
The Six Pillars of Character
http://josephsoninstitute.org/MED/MED-2sixpillars.html
Naval Inspector General on Conflict of Interest
http://www.ig.navy.mil/Complaints/Complaints%20%20(Conflicts%20of%20Interests).htm
Question: Conflicts of interest are common in human interaction. For the first part of the question, why are conflicts of interest particularly troublesome in government service? Second, of the two (a general overview of ethical character traits and a specific statement about conflicts of interest) which is the most useful to a leader in government service? And, why?
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jsandozpua450
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Posted: Thu May 14th, 2009 04:33 am | 2nd Post |
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Why are conflicts of interest particularly troublesome in government service? We are held to a higher standard and should not give any impression of improprieties. Conflicts of interest could have the appearance of a goverment entity specifically benefiting from a particular service or favor from a non governmental entity in exchange for a favor. This could reflect poorly on the organization and cause mistrust within the community.
Second, It is important that government employees demonstrate ethical character traits in his/her day to day activities. Trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship are all important. When a conflict of interest arises, the specific traits that government employees should have are questioned as well as the entire organization. If the employee has questions about a situation that develops that may be a conflict of interest, he/she should notify a supervisor to get direction.
The statement that is most useful to a leader in government service is, "if the circumstances would cause a reasonable person with knowledge of the relevant facts to question your impartiality in a "particular matter' (i.e., a contract, claim, or investigation), for which there are specific parties, then the government employee should not do any Government work on that matter until he/she has told his/her supervisor of the appearance problem and gotten his or her authorization to work on the matter." This statement is most important to government leaders because it is a catch all and is easily interrupted. It is clear cut and leaves no room for misinterpretation.
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TGrayUnion PUA450
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Posted: Sat May 16th, 2009 03:37 am | 3rd Post |
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Conflicts of interest are problematic in government service because it causes the community to lose trust in the government. The citizens trust the government to handle community affairs and money, among other things. When the community loses trust in government, the government loses its effectiveness and cannot function properly. Perception is reality, and when people are aware of conflicts of interest in the government, they tend to believe the government is corrupt.
Of the Six Pillars of Character, the ethical trait most important to a leader is respect. When a leader respects people, he or she is less likely to participate in unethical matters or situations that pose a conflict of interest. "Respect prohibits violence, humiliation, manipulation and exploitation." Last edited on Sat May 16th, 2009 03:44 am by TGrayUnion PUA450
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dcrewunion
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Posted: Sat May 16th, 2009 08:13 am | 4th Post |
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A conflict breeds contempt and dismantles the foundation of trust and mutual loyalty for which a relationship is built. This is especially true as it relates to government service, specifically when it is the government agent who betrays its charge. Public servants strive hard to build and maintain a fabric of public trust, which is the core element necessary to uphold their oath and duty, without which, leads to a lack of public confidence. An example of this is the current economic situation. The conflicts perpetrated by those how held the public trust, led to wide scale public fear and panic and ultimately worldwide economic collapse.
This situation of compromised values and principles, gives rise to a multitude of other negative consequences, extending beyond that of the public, some of which are; the co-workers of the violator, have to work harder to rectify the condition; often a conflict results in litigation which compounds a financial quandary created by the original incident; and in cases where the violation is minor, the violator non-the-less becomes less useful to the organization by virtue of their indiscretion.
The general overview of the ethical character would prove more beneficial to a leader in government service. The “Six Pillars of Character” although brief, it is compelling and provides a comprehensive analysis of the components of ethical behavior. Through the writing a leader would be able to cause his employees to self reflect and apply these principles to their decision making and behaviors.
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dcrewunion
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Posted: Sun May 17th, 2009 02:15 am | 5th Post |
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| Tracy, I agree with you on your assessment on how conflicts carried out by government, erodes community trust. I further submit that conflicts occur in organizations that have very little effect on the public but cause tremendous damage to the employees of that organization. Unfortunately, we have witnessed this from leaders in our organization at one time or another and as you said those leaders lost their “effectiveness” and will always be viewed by us as “corrupt”, at least by those of us who "know".
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JSMITHUNION
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Posted: Mon May 18th, 2009 11:04 pm | 6th Post |
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Employees of the government and employees of private organizations are held to a different standard. Employees of the government sector are canstantly in the public eye and held to a higher standard of ethics. As public administrators for the local government it is imperative we refrain from conflicts of intrests, so we don't jeopardize the public's trust.
What does it mean to have ethical behavior as a character trait? The Josephson Institute (2009) sumed it up perfectly when they explained that we certainly have no ethical duty to hold all people in high esteem, but we should treat everyone with respect, regardless of who they are and what they have done. We have a responsibility to be the best we can be in all situations, even when dealing with unpleasant people. Ufortunately, when individuals of the law enforcement community choose not to treat suspects or citizens being detained with respect then there is a good chance that integrity, responsibility, fairness, caring and trustworthiness will go out the window. As leaders in the government service respect is the single most important character trait that paves the road to ethical behavior.
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TGrayUnion PUA450
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Posted: Tue May 19th, 2009 01:56 am | 7th Post |
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| David, your comment was great but I think if a person is in law enforcement, they should not need a leader to keep them on the right track but it seems that the main focus of leaders today. Leaders are judged by how well their employees do and how well the leader keeps their employees out of trouble. Every officer took an oath and should know a conflict of interest when they see one.
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jsandozpua450
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Posted: Fri May 22nd, 2009 04:00 am | 8th Post |
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| Jason I agree with your statement. Being in Law Enforcement does not give us the green light to treat people unfair. We are held to a higher standard and are in the public eye. We should always display intergrity in all we say and do. Futhermore, respect for all people is in our code of ethics and we vowed to uphold those ethics.
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JSMITHUNION
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Posted: Sun May 24th, 2009 02:17 am | 9th Post |
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| Tracy, you made a great point when you explained that when the community loses trust in government, the government loses its effectiveness and cannot function properly. That is why maintaing positive community relations is imperative in keeping the public's trust.
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SPedenDavis2008
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Posted: Tue Jun 23rd, 2009 08:34 am | 10th Post |
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Conflicts of interest in goverment leave a bad taste in the publics mouth when it comes to trusting the public entity. They leave a constant doubt of the integrity and forthrightness of public servants in their motive to serve. Government must be untainted in order for it to stand and deliver righteous justice and service to all.
Of ethical character I think integrity is most valuable to a public leader. People expect politicians to lie but a person of integrity would immediately recuse themself from any situation of questionable practices or relationships, business or otherwise. Integrity is what allows them to govern without bias and to preserve the dependability of government service and trusting in it.
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SPedenDavis2008
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Posted: Tue Jun 23rd, 2009 08:46 am | 11th Post |
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| Johnny I believe that public servants must be held to a higher standard too. You must have respect for the community you serve or you will not care about the six pillars of character, none of those words will be in your vocabulary or your heart.
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MattEDavis2009
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Posted: Wed Jul 22nd, 2009 01:44 am | 12th Post |
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Conflicts of interest are definitely a difficult situation to deal with in law enforcement as well as other arenas of public service. It would seem sometimes that our job is very much like a double-edged sword. Government/public service employees who fail to act properly in regards to conflicts of interest compromise their public office and lose the trust of those whom they serve. As stated in the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics, "I recognize the badge of my office as a symbol of public faith, and I accept it as a public trust to be held so long as I am true to the ethics of the police service." Sometimes the mere picture of our badge in the public's eye portrays the calling of law enforcement officers: to serve the communities in which they work. Anything less would cause they public to lose their faith in us.
I also believe that honesty as mentioned in the 6 Pillars link is the most important for a leader, especially when it comes to integrity. As stated in the link regarding integrity, "What you see is what you get". I believe that being true and real with others it what makes you successful.
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MattEDavis2009
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Posted: Wed Jul 22nd, 2009 01:48 am | 13th Post |
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SPeden-
I agree with you and your stance for integrity as the most important factor. I really like the way you put it when you stated that a person with integrity would rescue themselves from situations of questionable practices. Nicely stated.
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robertg-davis-2009
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Posted: Tue Aug 4th, 2009 04:12 am | 14th Post |
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| For a public leader, I believe making a specific statement about conflicts of interest is important because it establishes the particular person's stance on ethical issues and sets the tone for future conduct.
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robertg-davis-2009
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Posted: Tue Aug 4th, 2009 04:15 am | 15th Post |
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| While honesty is clearly important, the "pursuit of excellence" under Responsibility cannot be overstated. Constantly striving to do one's best can prevent dishonesty as well.
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jamesrdavis2009
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Posted: Wed Aug 5th, 2009 01:20 am | 16th Post |
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| I think we are all leaders in law enforcement. Communication is essential, particularly when a conflict of interest is perceived. Its is vital for all to communicate their position and motives in a manner that leaves no room for guessing. Sometimes the perceived conflict turns out to be false and sometimes you move forward even when a conflict may exist. Everyone just has to knowwhere evryone stands.
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