July 10, 2025
Academy Curriculum Recommendation: Basic Peace Officer Course (BPOC), Professionalism and Ethics in Law Enforcement (Chapter 1)
The Office of Police Oversight (OPO) is collaborating with the Educational Development Unit of the Austin Police Department (APD) to enhance the academy's curriculum. The OPO recommends changes to APD's Professionalism and Ethics in Law Enforcement curriculum, recommending discussions of similarities and differences in individual cadet values, including I.C.A.R.E. department values, incorporating current information into the TCOLE lecture scenario, and covering Chapter 900 (General Conduct and Responsibilities) of APD's General Orders.
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P.O. BOX 1088, AUSTIN, TEXAS 78767
OFFICE OF
WWW.ATXPOLICEOVERSIGHT.ORG
POLICEOVERSIGHT@AUSTINTEXAS.GOV
POLICE OVERSIGHT
PHONE: 512.974.9090 I TTY: 711 FAX: 512.974.6306
FOUNDED
GERY
COMPLAINT HOTLINE: 512-972-20PO
ACADEMY CURRICULUM RECOMMENDATION
TO:
Chief Lisa Davis, Austin Police Department
FROM:
Director Gail McCant, Office of Police Oversight
DATE:
Thursday, July 10, 2025
SUBJECT:
BPOC Chapter 1: Professionalism and Ethics in Law Enforcement
Dear Chief Davis:
The Office of Police Oversight (OPO) is collaborating with the Educational Development
Unit of the Austin Police Department (APD) to enhance the academy's curriculum. OPO's
Policy Compliance Consultant is a member of the Professional Advisory Committee (PAC),
which is responsible for reviewing, evaluating, and providing feedback for improvement.
In addition to the subject matter experts hired by APD, the OPO has reviewed APD's
curriculum for Professionalism and Ethics in Law Enforcement and provided the following
recommendations for improvement:
ARE
BPOC (Basic Peace Officer Course) Chapter 1: Professionalism and Ethics in Law
Enforcement
Course Goal: Understand and respect professionalism as it pertains to law
enforcement, as well as recognize the vital role of ethics in relation to
professionalism. Additionally, understand the civil and criminal laws concerning the
unethical behavior of peace officers.
Understanding Personal and Professional Values
1. The Office of Police Oversight recognizes that cadets come from diverse backgrounds
and have differing life experiences. As a valuable learning exercise, they should take the
time to list their personal values and compare them with the values of the law
enforcement profession at the beginning of this course. This will allow for the
identification and discussion of similarities and differences in those values.
Additionally, it offers an excellent opportunity to address cultural differences in values.
Department and State Guidelines
2. The I.C.A.R.E. Department Values listed in the APD General Orders should be used in
addition to the TCOLE (Texas Commission on Law Enforcement) training materials to
help further define the values of the law enforcement profession.
1
CTTL OF AUSTIN
P.O. BOX 1088, AUSTIN, TEXAS 78767
OFFICE OF
WWW.ATXPOLICEOVERSIGHT.ORG
POLICEOVERSIGHT@AUSTINTEXAS.GOV
FOUNDED
1839
POLICE OVERSIGHT
PHONE: 512.974.9090 I TTY: 711 I FAX: 512.974.6306
GERY
COMPLAINT HOTLINE: 512-972-20PO
ACADEMY CURRICULUM RECOMMENDATION
3. OPO recommends that APD instructors leverage the TCOLE Lecture Scenario section of
the lesson plan to incorporate current information and examples relevant to the course.
4. In addition to the current APD General Orders discussed in this course, OPO believes it
is important to thoroughly cover Chapter 900 of the General Orders, which addresses
General Conduct and Responsibilities. The policies outlined in Chapter 900 of the
General Orders are closely related to the topics of professionalism and ethics explored
throughout this course.
The Office of Police Oversight appreciates the chance to offer constructive feedback on the
Austin Police Department's academy curriculum, recognizing that there is room for
improvement. We look forward to ongoing collaboration on current and future curriculum
development to ensure continuous improvement and effectiveness.
Sincerely,
Dail
Gail McCant
Director, Office of Police Oversight
FOUNDED
6339
2
P.O. BOX 1088, AUSTIN, TEXAS 78767
OFFICE OF
WWW.ATXPOLICEOVERSIGHT.ORG
POLICEOVERSIGHT@AUSTINTEXAS.GOV
POLICE OVERSIGHT
PHONE: 512.974.9090 I TTY: 711 FAX: 512.974.6306
FOUNDED
GERY
COMPLAINT HOTLINE: 512-972-20PO
ACADEMY CURRICULUM RECOMMENDATION
TO:
Chief Lisa Davis, Austin Police Department
FROM:
Director Gail McCant, Office of Police Oversight
DATE:
Thursday, July 10, 2025
SUBJECT:
BPOC Chapter 1: Professionalism and Ethics in Law Enforcement
Dear Chief Davis:
The Office of Police Oversight (OPO) is collaborating with the Educational Development
Unit of the Austin Police Department (APD) to enhance the academy's curriculum. OPO's
Policy Compliance Consultant is a member of the Professional Advisory Committee (PAC),
which is responsible for reviewing, evaluating, and providing feedback for improvement.
In addition to the subject matter experts hired by APD, the OPO has reviewed APD's
curriculum for Professionalism and Ethics in Law Enforcement and provided the following
recommendations for improvement:
ARE
BPOC (Basic Peace Officer Course) Chapter 1: Professionalism and Ethics in Law
Enforcement
Course Goal: Understand and respect professionalism as it pertains to law
enforcement, as well as recognize the vital role of ethics in relation to
professionalism. Additionally, understand the civil and criminal laws concerning the
unethical behavior of peace officers.
Understanding Personal and Professional Values
1. The Office of Police Oversight recognizes that cadets come from diverse backgrounds
and have differing life experiences. As a valuable learning exercise, they should take the
time to list their personal values and compare them with the values of the law
enforcement profession at the beginning of this course. This will allow for the
identification and discussion of similarities and differences in those values.
Additionally, it offers an excellent opportunity to address cultural differences in values.
Department and State Guidelines
2. The I.C.A.R.E. Department Values listed in the APD General Orders should be used in
addition to the TCOLE (Texas Commission on Law Enforcement) training materials to
help further define the values of the law enforcement profession.
1
CTTL OF AUSTIN
P.O. BOX 1088, AUSTIN, TEXAS 78767
OFFICE OF
WWW.ATXPOLICEOVERSIGHT.ORG
POLICEOVERSIGHT@AUSTINTEXAS.GOV
FOUNDED
1839
POLICE OVERSIGHT
PHONE: 512.974.9090 I TTY: 711 I FAX: 512.974.6306
GERY
COMPLAINT HOTLINE: 512-972-20PO
ACADEMY CURRICULUM RECOMMENDATION
3. OPO recommends that APD instructors leverage the TCOLE Lecture Scenario section of
the lesson plan to incorporate current information and examples relevant to the course.
4. In addition to the current APD General Orders discussed in this course, OPO believes it
is important to thoroughly cover Chapter 900 of the General Orders, which addresses
General Conduct and Responsibilities. The policies outlined in Chapter 900 of the
General Orders are closely related to the topics of professionalism and ethics explored
throughout this course.
The Office of Police Oversight appreciates the chance to offer constructive feedback on the
Austin Police Department's academy curriculum, recognizing that there is room for
improvement. We look forward to ongoing collaboration on current and future curriculum
development to ensure continuous improvement and effectiveness.
Sincerely,
Dail
Gail McCant
Director, Office of Police Oversight
FOUNDED
6339
2