Analysis And Evaluation Of Professional Ethical Values And Code Of Conduct A Border Service Officer In Canada

Ethics is a moral principle an individual possesses that shapes their character and behaviour. Ethics is simply a value one has that shapes how they deal with issues that arise personally and professionally. Every profession has rules that employees and employers are required to abide by. Every employer expects their employees to have strong morals and principles as well as vice versa. In this paper I will be discussing the professional ethical values and code of conduct a Border Service officer (BSO) must uphold being a part of the Canadian border service agency (CBSA), behaviours of officers as well as the disciplinary measures taken by the CBSA when officers are found guilty of misconduct.

I’ve always thought of myself as fair, honest, responsible and caring and wanted a career that fit my characteristics. I began to consider many professions within the criminal justice field from paralegal, correctional officer, and working in a group home. Something about helping Canada become a better society has always been my interest. To uphold the law, protect and serve my country first hand from Agriculture, Drug smugglers, immigrants, and criminals from other countries who pose a threat to Canada was the ideal job. Although the CBSA isn’t all about protecting the border, there are many protocols that a BSO must follow professionally and personally. As a BSO you are responsible for overseeing 117 land border crossings, 27 rail sites and 13 international airports. 61 out of 117 land border crossings operate 24/7, 10 out of 13 airports as well. Border service officers are required to maintain the flow of travellers and trades coming in and out of the country and are responsible for the protection and success of Canada by overseeing the travellers and trades coming in and out. Overall the Canadian border service agency expects their employees to do their job with integrity, respect, and professionalism.

As border service officers you are required to follow a Professional code of conduct given by the CBSA. The code of conduct given is a set of rules, guidelines and values agreed upon to meet the excepted standards of an individual or organization. A code of conduct can include things such as, procedures to follow when being absent, a dress code, or even a behavioural commitment. It is vital to have them in a professional environment because without guidelines or rules an organization can’t successfully operate. The code of conduct that the CBSA expects their employees to exhibit uniformed, non-uniformed, armed or unarmed are basic values and moral principles such as upholding the law, respect, integrity and professionalism. The code of conduct that the CBSA excepts their employees to follow are very similar to my own. Being a part of the Canadian border service agency you must show respect for democracy, respect for people, integrity, stewardship and excellence. The CBSA mission is to guarantee the safety and success of Canada. While guaranteeing the safety and success of Canada, border service officers want to be recognized for their excellences on the job as well. The CBSA also wants their officers to show respect and courtesy, fairness when applying the law, as well as providing accurate information, and protect the privacy and confidentiality of travellers and traders. As of right now, I believe the values of the CBSA are consistent with my own. Even though the officers who work for the CBSA have a higher standard expected to be upheld due to their position within the criminal justice field.

While I believe my morals, principles, and values are consistent with the Canadian border service agency every person doesn’t have the same ethical values. The CBSA employs individuals they believe have the same ethical values that are a part of their code of conduct. Throughout the years many issues have arisen within this profession. As early as 2017, CBSA officers were accused of conspiring to smuggle drugs through the Toronto international airport. After being under investigation for 18 months five men where arrest two of them being CBSA officers. Reading this article I became very appalled at the same time questions arise. I have a hard time believe that the RCMP and the CBSA had 2 officers under investigation and allowed their operation to run for over 1 year. In 18-month time fame 30 kilograms of cocaine entered the country. The CBSA organization was formed to protect, maintain, and help the success of the country which the 2 officers didn’t uphold. The two officers were charged with breach of trust, conspiracy to smuggle cocaine, and importing cocaine. They didn’t show no respect for democracy, people and displayed no forms of integrity which all are a part of the code of conduct a BSO must follow. The two officers Patrick Ruddy and Brano Andrews actions were put out into the media for the world to see. Although they were caught and faced criminal charges which are the good that came from this, many regular everyday citizens may feel different about the people that the government place in positions to protect and serve the border to keep Canada safe. The people of Canada may feel unsafe, disappointed, and lose trust in the Canadian criminal justice system. When professionals in organizations this important don’t uphold the law or the code of conduct regular citizens may no longer take the CBSA as a serious organization. Citizens of Canada and other countries crossing the borders may try to smuggle thing across the border. Not to say they have to commit a crime as serious has the two officers, but they may try to smuggle money, goods, and agriculture across the border. For the organization these crimes may lead to hiring more officers to overlook the border. For the individuals involved the risk they take doing criminal acts such as smuggling drugs across the border can land them in jail for a long period of time. As well it can take a major toll on their families because their name was released to the media. Friends and families of Patrick and Brano may no longer respect them. They are committing crimes that aren’t only illegal but disrespect to the uniform they wear as well as the code of conduct government employees of the CBSA are required to follow. The CBSA and the citizens may no longer respect or take the position seriously which is the biggest risk to the employees and the organization.

The CBSA doesn’t list out exactly how they deal with specific accusations that the officers are accused of professional or personally. The CBSA still must follow the Privacy Act, but they do put out the stats for misconduct. In 2014 there was 106 officers found guilty, in 2015 133 and in 2016, 166 officers were found guilty and when found guilty officers face disciplinary actions. Disciplinary actions can range from oral reprimand, written reprimand, suspensions less than 5 days, suspensions more than five days, demotions and, terminations. Termination In 2014 was sitting at 12, in 2015 was sitting at 2 and in 2016 which is the most recent it is sitting at 6. Suspensions for less than 5 days is the number one disciplinary measure taken by the CBSA. The agency believes in taking a corrective disciplinary action instead of a punitive approach. CBSA believes by approaching the misconduct at hand in a corrective way the border officers will inherit the behaviours and follow the code of conduct that is required of a BSO. Depending on the misconduct that the employees displayed they can face many disciplinary acts found guilty ranging from being reprimanded, suspend for several days, or even terminated.

In conclusion, Border Service Officers are held to a very high standard professionally and personally. When officers of the border ethical values aren’t consistent with the code of conduct or behavioural requirements of the CBSA it leaves the society of Canada open. Many possible unethical issues can arise that can interfere with the protection and success of the country. The CBSA made a promise to the citizens of Canada to do their job with integrity, respect, and professionalism which isn’t always the case with all officers. The agency wants all their employees to follow the code of conduct, but they also know that every officer is human and bound to make mistakes. Which is why that opt for a corrective approach for discipline instead of a punitive approach depending on the seriousness. Although the organization has its flaws “These allegations in no way reflect upon the true professionalism, dedication and integrity displayed each and every day by our CBSA staff,” Goran Vragovic, CBSA regional director general states. The officers do a very good job at upholding the code of conduct and behavioural requirements expected from them which is why the CBSA is the field of my choice.