Josephson Institute's Exemplary Policing Initiative

A great tree cannot love without deep roots. Great character cannot survive without good value. - Michael Josephson... #Character #EthicalPolicing

An antidote to fear is perspective - ability to objectively evaluate risks with firm conviction that even if the worst happens, you can deal with it. - Michael Josephson #ExemplaryPolicing #Perspective

Reputation is important but it is unwise and dangerous to worry too much about our image and too little about out character. - Michael Josephson #Reputation #Charater

Its not enough to be successful, be significant. Fulfillment comes with knowing you've made a positive difference, that the world is at least a little bit better because of you. - Michael Josephson... #Police #ExemplaryPolicing

Our character is revealed by how we deal with special pressures and temptations. But it is also disclosed by our everyday actions, especially by what we say and do when we think no one is looking and we won't get caught. - Michael Josephson... #Police #Character #Pressure #Action #ExemplaryPolicing

Man's capacity for justice makes democracy possible, but man's inclination to justice makes democracy necessary. - Reinhold Niebuhr #leadership #justice #police #policetraining

The whole point of character is that it gives us the moral strength to do the right thing when it is not in our self-interest. Why? Because a world where honesty, integrity and honor can be expected is infinitely better than one where such virtues are regarded as unnecessary and unattainable.... - Michael Josephson

It's easy and perversely gratifying to be a sideline cynic. It's harder to use our critical analysis, not as an endpoint, but a beginning. A builder sees problems as challenges and seeks solutions; a dismantler sees problems in every solution.... A builder sees flaws and tries to fix them; the dismantler sees flaws in every fix. Be a builder. - Michael Josephson

Those who surrender to cynicism tell us they are simply realists. But their worldview is distorted by a negative prejudice that assumed the worst while it sneers at and mocks appeal to virtue and duty. If we are more objective about the human condition we can see that cynicism is a deplorable lie.... Our nation is filled not only with heroes who risk their lives on our behalf but by millions of everyday heroes who live noble and worthy lives, who live with integrity, help their neighbors and love their kids.

Attempts to compartmentalize our ethical lives so we live by one standard at work and another at home is form of ethical relativism that has no moral validity and, in the end, it's a strategy that leads to the disintegration of integrity & consuming anxiety. - Michael Josephson

Act as if you knew everything you say or do is being recorded. If what you're thinking of doing isn't consistent with the image you want to convey, don't do it. - Michael Josephson

Pressure is no excuse for cheating, but it is a frequent cause. Responsible management needs to take into account the propensity of pressured employees to tell them what they want to hear. There’s nothing wrong with aggressive growth and performance goals, but if organizations do not place an even higher value on character in their hiring, training, promotion, compensation and discipline practices, all they will achieve is the illusion of success.... Michael Josephson