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Off-Duty Conduct and Professional Behavior; Part I

NCJ Number
229495
Journal
Law and Order Volume: 58 Issue: 1 Dated: January 2010 Pages: 18,20
Author(s)
Ed Nowicki
Date Published
January 2010
Length
2 pages
Annotation
This first of a two-part series examines issues surrounding police off-duty conduct and the need to establish guidelines related to off-duty behavior and conduct.
Abstract
It is clear that law enforcement agencies need to set guidelines relating to off-duty behavior and conduct. Law enforcement agencies need to ensure that officers are trained on appropriate off-duty behavior. Guidelines should outline what does and does not qualify as "conduct unbecoming an officer." Specific examples can help clarify acceptable and unacceptable off-duty behavior and conduct. To ensure understanding from an officer on appropriate off-duty behavior, there must be training and the administering of a written test. In part two of this "Training" column, off-duty behavior and conduct from the perspective of officer safety and survival training will be addressed.