Interpersonal Skills, Ethics, and Integrity
What this domain tests
Interpersonal Skills, Ethics, and Integrity tests truthfulness, reporting misconduct, bias control, confidentiality, conflict resolution, and community trust. The exam favors the lawful, honest, and minimally confrontational choice.
Core rules
- Tell the truth even when it exposes a colleague or yourself; a false report is misconduct whether written or spoken.
- Refuse to falsify, omit material facts, or backdate documents.
- Intervene to stop excessive force when you can, and report it through the chain of command.
- Keep confidential information need-to-know; do not gossip about cases, victims, or personnel matters.
- Recognize implicit bias and use behavior-based descriptions rather than stereotypes.
- Resolve conflicts directly and professionally; document agreements and warnings.
Worked example
A partner asks you to leave out that he forgot to activate his body camera during a use-of-force incident. He says it will be handled internally and that loyalty matters. Best response: refuse to alter the report, write the facts accurately, preserve the camera and physical evidence, and notify a supervisor according to policy. Reasoning: loyalty cannot justify a false or incomplete official record. The omission is material because it affects review of force and evidence. Reporting through the chain of command protects the partner's due process and the department's integrity.
Traps that cost marks
- Choosing loyalty over truthfulness.
- Rationalizing a 'noble cause' lie.
- Promising confidentiality you cannot keep.
- Using biased labels instead of observed behavior.
- Ignoring misconduct because it is inconvenient.