Sorry, an error has occurred while trying to process your request.
- We are currently unable to connect to our database server. Please try again later.
- We were unable to retrieve some of the information you requested for this page.
- We were unable to retrieve some of the information you requested for this page.
- We were unable to retrieve some of the information you requested for this page.
Please check any information you may have provided and try again.
National Institute Of Ethics
The National Institute of Ethics is the world's largest provider of ethics training for all types of organizations and is guided by a national board of directors.
Sheriff Eslinger (center) receives the agency's Certificate of Integrity as the first law enforcement agency in the United States to be accredited as such. From left, Neil Trautman and Congressman John Mica flank the Sheriff.
The Institute created a Certificate of Integrity in February of 1998. A short six months later, Neal Trautman, Executive Director of the National Institute of Ethics announced on August 25th, that the Seminole County Sheriff's Office of Sanford, Florida became the first law enforcement agency in American history to be "Certified in Integrity."
To gain this distinctive honor, all of the Sheriff's Office's employees had to meet the following standards:
- Conduct an Integrity Needs Assessment
- Develop One and Three Year Integrity Plans
- Conduct Integrity Training
- All employees must sign a customized Oath of Honor
- Implement an Employee Early Intervention System
- Continually Track Integrity Effectiveness
- Maintain Annual Documentation
Each of our took an oath and affixed their signature as a public commitment to conduct their duties in an ethical and integrity driven manner. It reads: "On my honor, I will never betray my integrity, my character or the public trust. I will always have the courage to hold myself and others accountable for our actions. I will always uphold the constitution and the community I serve."
With the Certificate in Integrity the Seminole County Sheriff's Office is enjoying many important distinctions. These include enhanced management areas that are often the focus of civil litigation, prevention and defense of civil suits, improved morale of employees through the publicity received by the agency and acquired community loyalty from citizens' knowledge of our integrity certification.
According to Seminole County Sheriff Don Eslinger, "In today's society it is important that people trust us. This certification enhances the relationship we have with the citizens in the community." He also added, "Integrity is about thinking and doing the right thing. Either you have it or you never will have it."
Additional benefits include employees capable of conquering ethical dilemmas and fewer finding their careers, marriages and self-respect destroyed.
In light of current events, there has never been a greater need for people to become positive role models; promoting standards of respect, fairness and honesty. Leaders, by virtue of their visibility and constant contact with subordinates and peers become major role models. Their actions speak louder than any words ever will. With this in mind, it is not only an honor, but also encouraging being a part of an organization that is doing right, because it's the right thing to do.
