AMU Emergency Management Opinion Public Safety

Professional Integrity vs. Social Disobedience

I find it fascinating whenever a conflict arises between political leadership and the ethical framework of public service. Public service such as emergency management; Public service such as homeland security. Obviously, I’ve been fascinated a LOT during this recent presidential campaign, because most of the candidates from one of our political parties appears to have little to no regard for the law, the constitution, or any of the other founding principles of our society.

We have explored integrity and social disobedience in the past. Articles that come to mind include:

[relink url=”https://amuedge.com/a-crisis-of-trust/” relink url2=”https://amuedge.com/integrity/” relink url3=”https://amuedge.com/decisions-and-more-decisions/”]

[relink url=”http://edmdigest.com/adaptation/the-professionalization-of-emergency-management/consequences-of-societal-breakdown/” url2=”https://amuedge.com/happy-birthday-bethany-yarrow/” url3=”https://amuedge.com/media/its-a-matter-of-truth/”]

So I found the most fascinating quote of this past week to be that of CIA Director John Brennan, who noted: [link url=”http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/director-brennan-cia-won-t-waterboard-again-even-if-ordered-n553756″ title=”his agency will not engage in harsh ‘enhanced interrogation’ practices, including waterboarding, which critics call torture — even if ordered to by a future president.“]

Isn’t that remarkable? One would expect social disobedience from Bethany Yarrow–that’s her contribution to the success of our society. Could one ever envision social disobedience from John Brennan? I would not be among that crowd.

So kudos to him. He has a clear sense of the ethical foundation necessary to carry out the protection of the American public. AND it pushes to the forefront the bottom line question, which is this:

Would you, in the official performance of your duties, defy your political leadership in order to accomplish the correct ethical and moral actions in the protection and service to the public?

May you never have to face this question. But be aware that as our political system continues to degrade, that the likelihood that you will increases as time goes along. There is only one solution, which is to be clear in your personal ethics BEFORE the question is asked. So to be prepared, do these things:

  • Know who you are. Clearly define the territory into which you will not go.
  • Build your organizational culture so that it reflects your moral and ethical values. As long as you pursue your profession with a good heart, that won’t be very difficult.
  • Draw your line in the sand. That’s what Director Brennon did. He said: ‘This far and no farther. This much and no more.’ Draw your line in advance of the question being asked, and publicize it.
  • Be prepared for the consequences. Even, or maybe especially, if you are on the side of right, payback will be hell. Just keep in mind that life can take away everything but your integrity. You have to choose to give that away.

Making these choices and living by them will make you a more successful emergency manager, a better servant of the public, and a better representative of our civilization. What could be more valuable than that?

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