ecdd1159 - Integrity

FUNCTIONAL COMPETENCIES

Client - Ethics, Professionalism and Integrity [Mission, Vision & Values]

Integrity is incorruptibility -- incapable of being false to a trust, responsibility or pledge.

A person with integrity, reliably delivers on promises, honours commitments and demonstrates honesty and trustworthiness, and respect for the rights of all persons. Where rules and regulations are barriers a person with integrity challenges them through appropriate means.

Individually, we hold ourselves to high standards of moral and ethical conduct. We are role models in the community; our clients expect that we know the right thing to do and have the moral fortitude to do it.

Integrity is "doing right when there is no one to make you do it but yourself."

Judge John Fletcher Moulton as quoted by Edwin Delattre, Police Leadership Forum. Nov. 1997. p 2.

"The meaning of integrity in the public service is derived from, and finds its distinctive public service character in, its relationship to the public trust and the need to put the common good ahead of any private interest or damage."

John Tait, A Strong Foundation: CCMD Study Team on Public Service Values and Ethics. Dec. 1996. p 34.

As a policing organization, it is crucial that we maintain the law, support the administration of justice and consistently uphold ethical and social values. Police agencies and the military are the only groups who are sanctioned to use force to deal with disputes. Because of this, the actions and words of every employee are under constant scrutiny. Integrity is, therefore, fundamental to the way we do business.

But what happens when personal beliefs are inconsistent with corporate expectations? If an employee with strong feelings and beliefs against abortion is called to protect an abortion clinic from protesters, what role does integrity play here? Employees with integrity uphold the law even when faced with situations which are inconsistent with their personal values.

Trust is the cornerstone of the perception and of integrity and is based on the consistency between our beliefs and actions. We must always act fairly, ethically and honestly in dealing with clients in all situations. We must maintain a high level of honesty, forthrightness and credibility in all relationships at all times, both as individuals and as an organization. The manner in which decisions are made on a regular basis will prove individual and organizational integrity. Trust is developed over time and it takes only one incident for trust to be destroyed.

People with integrity have a willingness to accept responsibility for their actions and decisions; not just because it may be the legal thing to do, but because it is the right thing to do. Our values are consistently expressed through our actions.

"Integrity in the public service also imposes on public servants, at all levels, a commitment to the truth and therefore, an obligation to speak truth to power: to provide ministers and other supervisors with a full range of analysis and advice that will help them to take the best possible decisions for the public good."

John Tait, A Strong Foundation: CCMD Study Team on Public Service Values and Ethics. Dec. 1996. p72.

INTEGRITY