When to Discipline and When to Defend

As we continue the crucial conversation around policing in today’s world, one of the central themes I return to is the?balancing act of ethical policing. In my experience, true leadership in law enforcement comes from the ability to recognize when to exercise discipline and when to stand by an officer who has made the right decision under difficult circumstances. Both require courage and integrity, and both are essential to fostering trust within the department and with the public.

Let me share two stories from my career that illustrate this delicate balance.

A Lesson in Accountability: Exercising Discipline

Early in my career as a newly promoted lieutenant, I was tasked with leading a drug enforcement operation in Washington, D.C. During the operation, I witnessed a sergeant strike a handcuffed suspect in the mouth. Despite the suspect’s lack of interest in filing a complaint and the sergeant’s strong political connections, I knew I couldn’t let this incident slide. Punching a suspect who was already in custody was not only unnecessary but also a violation of the trust placed in us as officers of the law.

I initiated an investigation, despite the risks to my own career. Some might say I was sticking my neck out, but I firmly believe that?ethical policing means holding everyone accountable, regardless of rank or relationships. In the end, the sergeant was disciplined, and I earned a reputation for being someone who would not tolerate misconduct. This set a tone within my department that?discipline will be applied fairly, reinforcing the importance of ethics at every level.

Standing by Good Judgment: Defending an Officer’s Actions

On one occasion, I oversaw a serious incident involving a vehicle pursuit that ended tragically. An officer had been called to the scene of what was reported as a?sexual assault in progress. When the officer arrived, a woman came running out of the house, dressed in a ripped housecoat, crying and pointing to a man who followed her out. The woman screamed, identifying him as the assailant. The man ignored the officer’s commands to stop, jumped into his car, and fled. Based on these circumstances, the officer had?probable cause?to believe a serious crime was in progress, so he pursued the suspect.

The chase ended when the suspect crashed into a utility pole and died. Upon reviewing the situation, the district’s two lieutenants labeled the chase an "illegal pursuit," citing that our policy only allowed pursuits for dangerous felonies. They argued that the investigation later revealed it was a domestic dispute, not an active sexual assault.

However, as I investigated the case, I pulled all the relevant tapes—the 911 call, the radio transmissions—and it was clear that, based on the facts presented to the officer at the time, he had every reason to believe the man was committing a?serious felony. The officer had acted within the bounds of his training and judgment.

I told the lieutenants, "It doesn’t matter what we found out?later; what matters is the situation the officer was faced with in the moment." I wrote a detailed statement in support of the officer and submitted it with the final report. When it reached the trial board, they dismissed any notion of misconduct because, under the circumstances, the officer had done exactly what he was trained to do.

Standing by your officers when they act with?good judgment and discretion?is essential. If I hadn’t supported him, he could have faced disciplinary action or worse, lost his job. But because I made sure to investigate thoroughly and advocate for the truth, his actions were validated.

The Path to Ethical Policing

These two stories underscore the complexity of ethical policing. It’s a?balancing act—knowing when to correct behavior and when to support your officers. The key is to ensure that the same principles guide both: fairness, transparency, and integrity.

As leaders, we must create a culture where officers understand that?ethical behavior is rewarded and unethical behavior will not be tolerated. But equally, they must know that when they do the right thing, they will have our full support, even when their decisions are questioned.

By fostering this balance, we not only improve the professionalism of our departments, but we also strengthen our relationships with the communities we serve. After all, accountability and support are two sides of the same coin in ethical policing.

Thank you for your continued dedication to upholding the highest standards in law enforcement.