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2003 Ethics
Achievement Award
Presented to Arizona Peace Officer
Standards and Training
In early 2000, Arizona Peace Officer
Standards and Training (POST) adopted a “zero
tolerance” policy on certifying peace officers who
had lied, a stance that became known, informally,
as the POST “Integrity Wave.” Among agencies
charged with oversight or certification of peace
officers, Arizona POST has distinguished itself
through its forward-looking emphasis on character
and ethics as integral to the law enforcement
profession.
On October 16, 2003, at the 12th Annual
International Ethics Conference, and in
recognition of their work in spotlighting the
critical nature of ethics and integrity in law
enforcement, Arizona Peace Officer Standards and
Training was presented the Ethics Achievement
Award. Accepting the award on behalf of Arizona
POST was Mr. Thomas J. Hammarstrom, Executive
Director of Arizona POST.
2002 ETHICAL COURAGE
AWARD WINNER
Officer David Gebhardt
Rochester,
New York, Police Department
On January 4, 2001, Officer David
Gebhardt was the “point” person with the
Rochester, New York, Police Narcotics Team, as
they entered a home to execute a drug search
warrant. He was the first officer through the
door, but in moving toward a rear room, he tripped
on electrical cords causing his shotgun to
discharge, strike and mortally wound a 21-year
old, unarmed man sitting in a chair. After this
tragic incident, and prior to the case being
presented to the Grand Jury or completion of the
Internal Affairs investigation, Gebhardt issued a
public statement. In it, he expressed his deep
sense of sorrow, and accepted full responsibility
for this accidental shooting. His public
statement, which helped reduce tensions in the
city, was applauded by the mayor and a number of
other community leaders. David Gebhardt came
face-to-face with one of the true “nightmares” in
a police career. But according to Rochester Police
Chief Robert Duffy, “his integrity, his character
and his sense of responsibility to the profession
and to his family not only helped him endure the
trauma attached to these types of incidents, but
in the end, he earned a whole new level of respect
as a person, set a new standard for integrity and
accountability on behalf of police officers, and
served as an outstanding example for everyone in
law enforcement.”
On October 18, 2002, at the 11th Annual
International Ethics Conference, David Gebhardt
accepted the Ethical Courage Award in recognition
of his willingness to stand up for “the right
thing,” and for his unhesitating demonstration of
character and integrity.
2001 ETHICAL COURAGE
AWARD WINNER
Officer
Keith Batt
Pleasanton Police Department,
CA
Born in San Francisco, Keith Batt
grew up in Sebastopol, CA, before going on to
Sacramento State University where he earned a
Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice
Administration. Upon graduation, he decided to
pursue the life-long dream of becoming a police
officer. Keith joined the Oakland, CA, Police
Department, and in November, 1999, graduated
number one academically from his Recruit Training
class. When he was assigned to Field Training, his
vision of law enforcement was badly shaken as he
witnessed officers (including his FTO) engaging in
brutality, falsifying reports and planting
evidence. In his words, Batt said, "They took
everything I valued about policing, everything I
had looked forward to, and ruined it."
Deciding to take a stand against what he
saw, Batt (a rookie officer on probation!)
reported his observations and experiences to the
Oakland PD Internal Affairs. His allegations
(later corroborated by citizens) resulted in a
supervisor being demoted, and the filing of thirty
five felony and multiple misdemeanor counts
against four Oakland Police officers. Considerable
media attention was given to the legal process
involving four rogue cops (known locally as "The
Riders"), but through it all one fact is
indisputable ... without Keith Batt's courageous
stand there would have been no investigation and
no criminal case.
Though he was encouraged to remain, Batt
resigned from the Oakland Police Department. He
was hired by the Pleasanton, CA, PD, where Chief
Timothy Neal says "My agency is better for having
Keith Batt employed as a police officer ... all of
us in law enforcement stand a little taller
because of Keith Batt."
On October 12, 2001, at the 10th Annual
International Ethics Conference, Keith Batt
received the Ethical Courage Award in recognition
of his willingness to stand up for "the right
thing," and for his unhesitating demonstration of
character and integrity.
2000 ETHICAL COURAGE
AWARD WINNER
Mr. Perry Dunlop
British
Columbia, Canada
Over the course of a distinguished law
enforcement career which began in 1983, Constable
Perry Dunlop worked in patrol, criminal
investigations and the drug unit for the Cornwall,
Ontario, Police Service. In recognition of his
professionalism and courage, he was on two
occasions chosen Cornwall Police Officer of the
Year, once in 1987, and again in 1991.
In 1994, though, Constable Dunlop found
himself in a very unfamiliar position, when he was
charged with illegally revealing police
information to a source outside his agency.
Specifically, after learning of a case of reported
child sexual abuse in which the alleged abuser was
permitted to pay the victim a sum of money in lieu
of criminal charges, Dunlop asked why his agency
was not investigating the case or reporting the
matter - as required - to the appropriate child
protective authorities. Despite being cautioned to
stay away from the case, Dunlop reported it to the
Children's Aid Society; an act which resulted in
disciplinary charges from his department. He was
twice cleared of any wrongdoing, and a special
task force eventually was formed to investigate
allegations of widespread child sexual abuse.
Because of his outspoken stand against
official silence and inertia, Perry Dunlop and his
family were harassed and ostracized both in the
community and within his police agency. In July,
2000, Perry Dunlop resigned from the Cornwall
Police Service and moved with his wife and three
children to western Canada.
On October 13, 2000, at the 9th Annual
International Ethics Conference, Perry Dunlop
received the Ethical Courage Award in recognition
of his willingness to stand up for "the right
thing," and for his unhesitating demonstration of
character and integrity.
1999 ETHICAL COURAGE AWARD
WINNER
Mr. David Snyder
Amarillo,
Texas
In November, 1994, David Snyder, former
Chief of Police at Texas State Technical Institute
in Amarillo, Texas, got the bad news ... he was
being terminated for insubordination. He had
trouble believing it, for after an unblemished
career (six as chief), he was being fired for
failing to obey an order from his boss. But even
in the midst of that difficult time, he knew he
had done the right thing, for the "order" had been
a directive for him to stop investigating a series
of criminal matters on his campus, and to turn
over all his records.
After his dismissal, Chief Snyder was
forced to sell his house, seek other employment,
and move his family to a new community. Eventually
he sued his former employer under the state of
Texas Whistleblower Act, and in February, 1998, he
prevailed in his suit. He was awarded a monetary
settlement, though that did not signal the end of
his difficulty. Despite his desire to remain
active in the field of law enforcement, the stress
from his ordeal has caused physical problems that
make it impossible to do so. He is now employed in
the private sector.
On October 29, 1999, at the 8th Annual
Ethics Conference, David Snyder received the
Ethical Courage Award in recognition of his
willingness stand up for "the right thing," and
his unhesitating demonstration of character and
integrity.
1998 ETHICAL COURAGE AWARD
WINNER
Chief Jeffrey Harbin
Carnegie
Police Department, PA
On December 26, 1997, a 25 mile-long
high-speed pursuit ended in the small community of
Carnegie, PA, a suburb of Pittsburgh. As a
Carnegie Police Officer was taking the driver into
custody, several members of another agency swarmed
the driver, and appeared to use excessive force in
restraining him. The event was captured on the
Carnegie P.D. in-car camera. The circumstances and
the video were brought to the attention of Police
Chief Jeffrey Harbin who immediately turned the
tape over to the County Prosecutor.
After the video was enhanced, a Grand Jury
decided there was insufficient evidence to indict
for assault, but recommended that two of the
officers seen on tape be prosecuted for lying in
their reports about the arrest. Once that report
was made public, Chief Harbin and the members of
the Carnegie Police were subjected to a barrage of
harassment from a small-but-vocal number of other
police officers in the Pittsburgh area, including
some who publicly proclaimed "You never turn in
another cop." Over time, harassment escalated to
the point where other officers on the area radio
network keyed their microphones to prevent
Carnegie officers from transmitting or receiving
messages; direct threats to the safety of officers
and citizens in Carnegie.
In stepping forward immediately to report
the apparent use of excessive force in the arrest
made in his city, Chief Jeffrey Harbin
demonstrated unimpeachable strength of character
and moral courage. On October 30, 1998, at the 7th
Annual Ethics Conference, Jeffrey Harbin accepted
the inaugural Ethical Courage
Award. |
