Police Officer Conduct Unbecoming: An Essential Disciplinary Charge in Today's Changing Environment

Instructor: Lou Reiter

Course Details:

• Format: Online
• Date: November 17, 2026
• Duration: 2 hours
• Cost: $150.00

Course Description:

Public safety organizations have long relied on the 'Conduct Unbecoming' charge as a disciplinary tool for managing employee misconduct. While some view it as a blanket category applied when specific policies or procedures do not exist, this charge carries significantly more weight and application than commonly understood. In today's environment, employees frequently engage in forms of misconduct that were previously uncommon or entirely unanticipated, making the need for explicit policies less obvious at the time they occurred. Extensive case law demonstrates strong judicial support for agencies employing this disciplinary charge when addressing the actions of both sworn personnel and civilian employees.

This webinar explores several critical dimensions of the 'Conduct Unbecoming' charge, including:

• Historical context and development of this disciplinary tool
• The three essential elements required for this charge and the importance of establishing how the employee's conduct relates directly to agency operations
• Application to employee misuse and misconduct involving social media platforms
• Enhanced significance when addressing off-duty employee misconduct

Categories: Management, Internal Affairs