Creating and Implementing An Agency Policy on Ethics (Essay Sample)

St. Augustine Police Department Code of Ethics Name Institution Date Developing a Code of Ethics With the ongoing negative public perception toward the police and assumed cases of police racial profiling, St. Augustine police department intend to develop a code of ethics on profiling to guide its enforcement officers. The code of ethics will be implemented within the police department and other staffs involved in the enforcement and administration of law and order in the region. The procedure and steps to be used in developing the policy document are detailed below. Developing a policy statement or manual is an extensive process. One of the first step or tasks will be the selection of a policy project chairperson or coordinator. The selection of the right person to lead the process is critical to the success of the development and implementation of the policy statement. The appointed project leader will be given the authority, knowledge, and motivation to lead the process, draft the policy, coordinate meetings, and facilitate the entire policy making process. The project leader will be ethics manager who will be deputized by the compliance officer. The next step will involve formulating an inclusive committee. The policy committee ought to include representatives from areas critical to the department’s operations. The aim of ensuring a diverse and heterogeneous member is to ensure diversity and enriched contribution. Additionally, involving staffs in the policy formulation process provides a vehicle for the staff’s abilities and potentials to be recognized and challenged (Akid, 2001). The inclusion of those with vocal opposition provides a safe channel for discussion and promotes resolution. In developing the code, the initial step will involve gathering adequate information and compiling ideas on what should constitute the ethics policy. A good source of what the policy should entail includes the values of the police department as outlined in the mission statement. The key topics from the information-gathering process will be used to create a foundational outline for the development of the code. The formulated policy committee and representative members will reach a consensus on the content of the policy. During the first meeting, any discussion issue, question, and concerns identified in the preliminary meeting will be noted by the committee coordinator and raised in the subsequent meetings. Using information from the committee, the project coordinator or committee chairperson will develop a draft policy. The copies of the draft will then be sent to each committee member for review and comment. The committee members may individually return the draft copies with their comments to the coordinator who will subsequently convene a group discussion to address concerns from each of the committee member. The committee discussion will also address the validity of the policy statement by addressing any contradictions, inconsistencies, and gaps. After the discussion stage, the coordinator or the committee chairperson and Secretariat will review the comments and contribution from members and make the necessary changes to the draft. The copies of the second draft will be sent back to individual committee members for a second review. In case members raise further issues, the coordinator will summon another meeting to discuss the issues until a consensus or agreement is achieved. The committee chairperson will submit the final draft to the police legal counsel to ensure the drafted or proposed policy comply with the state and federal laws. After the legal review, the legal counsel will send the proposed policy back to the committee chairperson with any comments or proposed changes. Upon the final review, the chairperson will draft the final form of the policy and prepare it for distribution to the various department staff. The policy statement will then be submitted for adoption by the various department heads. The adoption of the policy will legitimize the code and express the department’s commitment to instilling and maintaining the ethical culture within the police department. After the adoption by the police department leadership, it is critical to introduce the new policy statement or code to all staff. Like most important corporate-wide initiatives, a wide-scale introduction of the code for its successful implementation (Willey & Burke, 2011). As a commitment to ethical behavior and policy begin at the top of the department and trickles down, the department leadership is responsible for unveiling the policy and resources to execute the policy. Resources Requirement The development and implementation of the code of ethics on racial profiling will borrow from federal and state regulations on racial profiling. Best practices from other police departments will be used to guide its implementation. Financial resources will be sourced from the compliance office which will liaise with department leadership to ensure all the necessary resources are dedicated to the process (Tasdoven& Kaya, 2014). Human resources to guide the process will be allocated by the human resource department. To ensure continuity of day-to-day functions of the department, the human resource will select representatives from various departments. Communicating the Code The aim, form, content, and tone of a code of ethics have implications on the success of communicati...