Famous Police Chief: Violation of Code of Ethics

[Sara Livingston]

The following story appeared today and has once again remined us of our sworn oath to abide by a professional and ethical Code of Ethics, no matter what career we pursue:


http://us.news1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/nm/20030618/amdf300814.jpg
Police Chief Famed for DC Sniper Case Resigns:

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Charles Moose, the Maryland police chief who became a national figure during last October's Washington-area sniper shootings, has resigned after criticism of his plans to write a book about the murder spree, officials said on Wednesday.

Moose, 49, chief of the Montgomery County Police Department in Rockville, Maryland, submitted his letter of resignation on Monday and plans to leave his job on June 28.

"It had been my hope that the chief would be able to share with the American public his personal observations about those harrowing three weeks while continuing to serve the community," Montgomery County Executive Douglas Duncan said in a statement. "Unfortunately, it does not appear that this outcome will be achieved."

Moose, who has been on leave since March after being called up for active duty by the District of Columbia Air National Guard, was not immediately available for comment.

Last year's sniper shootings in Maryland, Washington and Virginia terrorized the U.S. capital and its suburbs, while captivating world media attention.

Sniper suspects John Lee Malvo, 17, and Gulf War (news - web sites) veteran John Allen Muhammad, 42, are accused of killing 13 people and wounding six others in the Washington area as well as in Alabama, Georgia and Louisiana.

Moose, who became a familiar television personality while leading the sniper investigation, later reached a deal with publisher E.P. Dutton to write a book entitled "Three Weeks in October," which is scheduled for release in October but has already been listed on Amazon.com.

But Montgomery County's ethics panel ruled the publishing deal violated a local code of ethics that preempts government officials from exploiting their office for personal gain.

Moose complained in a federal lawsuit that the commission's decision violated his First Amendment right to free speech under the U.S. Constitution. He also agreed to have the book's contents examined by prosecutors to avoid divulging sensitive information before Malvo and Muhammad go on trial.

SOURCE LINK:
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=578&ncid=578&e=8&u=/nm/20030618/ts_nm/people_moose_dc

My personal opinion for private investigators who wish to write a book revealing their client and case - may be to look for a ghost writer - even though their may not be any breach of a Code of Ethics.

Your thoughts?

[Walter C. Smith--]

Their are ethics codes to many activities in life. No one has the right to break a legitimate code without penalties. But, everyone should be innocent until proven guilty. I have been a Scottish Rite Mason for over 27 years and a Rotarian for over 18 years and I have seen people break codes in both organizations. The meaning and the necessity of codes must be clearly explained. Also, the organizations administering codes must be beyond reproach.

[Kathleen Padgett]

If I'm interpreting this case correctly, it sounds like the former chief can release the book without consequences, and with a huge potential profit now that he has resigned his position. He may be banking on not ever having to work again. Code of ethics agreements should be enforced and the facts in this case seem to indicate he was voluntarily violating this oath by writing the book to begin with. It doesn't seem as though he will regret anything if he's allowed to cash in on the book sales this story could generate.

[Robert Smith -]

I personally believe that any Code Of Ethics is really a great thing to have. Unfortunately though, there are those that see that rules are meant to be broken, and in this case, though the Chief might have had all good intentions on doing what he did, it was wrong for him to think that he would be able to get away with breaking that Code.

[Michael Harris]

Even the appearance of a breach of ethics may be a breach of ethics.

Since Walter mentioned the Rotary, I will say that in 1968 (as a Junior Rotarian), I recognized the Rotary code of ethics and kept the essence of it with me. As a consequence of my exposure to the Rotary, I persued a graduate degree in business ethics -- then found that almost no one uses them. :rolleyes:

[Diane Jarosz]

Many law enforcement people have written books about cases.

For instance the police detective that was on the OJ Simpson case.
I can't remeber his name. Unimpressive on my part.

DJ

[Maurice Hopkins]

That is a clear violation of his oath and code of ethics, he does not have the right to publish a case he investigated without penality. Even writing a book under a ghost name is a violation, without full consent of everyone involved. Something should be done about that matter.

[Maurice Hopkins]

I understand where you are coming from as I am a Mason myself and understand rules , regulation and codes of ethics. I feel the if a person takes a oath they should be made to uphold them, and follow the code of ethics. If for any reason there is a violation of those ethics, then that person should be penalized.

[Tracy K. Johnson]

Originally posted by Maurice Hopkins
Even writing a book under a ghost name is a violation, without full consent of everyone involved.

Before everyone goes on making assumptions- Do you for a fact that he didn't have consent from everyone involved? Someone who originally gave consent could be embarrassed by the way they were betrayed in the book and now want to claim that they had not given their consent. Make sure that when you get a consent that it is in writing and notarized!

Working in Corrections- I know that the Code of Ethics is not followed by many people.

I guess the question that remains is- once you are no longer holding a position that is under the code of ethics- Are you still
accountable to uphold the code of ethics?

[Richard Greiner -]

I agree with Tracy, even if you have a document and it's not notarized and you what to use it in court you won't be able to use it in court. It's got be Notarized before it can be called a legal document. So it's good if your going to be a PI that you have a Notary Licenses because nine times out of ten your going to need to get something Notarized. In the State of Ohio to obtain a Notary Licenses you just need to take a simple test which is given at your City Hall. Know I don't now if this is a Law in every state, so check your laws in your state if your intrested in obtaining Notary licenses.;)

[Maurice Hopkins]

Do you ever what Biography on A&E, those were his words not mine. As far I am concerned that if a person does not respect a oath that they take then how good is their word any way.

As for your question, if you no longer work for a place that you took that oath, do you still have to follow it. From my understanding that once you have taken that oath, you have to uphold it in reference to any case you have worked. So if he worked the sniper case, he should never disclose information on it without proper consent or legal standings.

[Dragos Sfinteanu]

Originally posted by Maurice Hopkins
...So if he worked the sniper case, he should never disclose information on it without proper consent or legal standings.

Would you like to outline if Charles Moose is entitled or not to publish the book after resigning the job ? What mean, in this respect, "proper consent" and "legal standings"?

Does this apply also to a retired PI ?

[George P. Eells]

I think the chief having resigned did the right thing.This would have definately been a conflict of interest. Having to go to work as a police Chief, and write a book and meet deadlines. Quite hard to do!

[Maurice Hopkins]

I think the chief having resigned did the right thing.This would have definately been a conflict of interest. Having to go to work as a police Chief, and write a book and meet deadlines. Quite hard to do!

The conflict has nothing to do with time to write the book and performing his duty of his job. The conflict has to do with him writing a book on a case he investigated.

[Maurice Hopkins]

Would you like to outline if Charles Moose is entitled or not to publish the book after resigning the job ? What mean, in this respect, "proper consent" and "legal standings"?


Does this apply also to a retired PI ?

To answer your questions, proper consent: meaning if all parties who where involved in the case gave him the consent to include them in his book.

The legal issue to this question, I was speaking about; is if this is ethical and the question to that answer is no. He started to write this book while still employed for the police department, which makes this an issue of violating hiscode of ethics and his commitment to his job, by discussing vital issues involved in his case.

If a PI is already retired he could right the book, but still must obtain the consent of the parties involved in the cases he will write about.

[Dragos Sfinteanu]

Originally posted by Maurice Hopkins
The legal issue is if this is ethical and the question to that answer is no. He started to write this book while still employed for the police department...


I think it is an insignificant error in phrase formulation:
"...the question to that answer.." should be "the answer to that question..." This is only for asking a final question.

We all agree (I think) : it was not ethical starting writing the book when still employed. The question is: could he be sanctioned by law because of his ethical misconduct? (You mentioned the words "legal issue").

Thanks for the other answers.

[Maurice Hopkins]

You are correct, I am glad you pointed it out to me, thank you.

[William H Van Meter]

I just read all of the messages on this. I think that if you can't obey the Code of Ethics, then you better not take the job.
:)

[Jerome Isaac]

Hi all; Thanks Maurice/Dragos for shining some light on this issue; and all who participated in this thread; again many many thanks to all of you.

In general the " CODE'S " ethics/conduct/moral is what I consciously live by.

[Joseph Krause]

No matter what career or profession we get into has some type of Code of Ethics that we read ahead of time and have to agree to and know the consequences if we don't follow them. If we break that code, we have to pay the price. Just a new guys way of thinking.

Joe Krause

[Susan Yee]

My impression is former Police Chief Charles Moose breached the 'Code of Ethics' in reaching a book deal while employed by Montgomery County.

This would be comparable to a Scientist with high security clearance acquiring new skills on his job, then using that expertise for his personal gain, at the expense of his former employer.

My understanding is that most employment contracts these days have a "non-compete" clause stated in fine print.

[Richard Maxwell]

Chief Moose took an oath and agreed to adhere to a Code of Ethics. Then when presented with a large financial pay day, he decided to trade his good word for the money.

In many areas these days, it seems that moral standards are diluted and that everything is now emcompassed in "shades of grey". Right and Wrong are now redefined according to whim. Integrity is the one thing that can't be taken away from us - we have to give it up ourselves.

[Patrice-Maria Love]

It is important to display integrity in every profession. We must exhibit ethical standards and do what is morally right.