Ethical Considerations and Confidentiality Flashcards
7 cards from real SSPO practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Ethical Considerations and Confidentiality flashcards as text
Who is typically authorized to receive the results of an officer's psychological evaluation such as the SSPO?
Answer: Only personnel with a legitimate need to know, such as the hiring authority
Psychological assessment results are confidential and may only be shared with individuals who have a legitimate, job-related need to know.
A sergeant demands that an officer show him the results of the officer's SSPO psychological assessment. What is the most appropriate response?
Answer: Decline and explain that such records are confidential and accessible only through proper channels
Psychological test results are protected by confidentiality rules and cannot be disclosed simply because a supervisor requests them without proper authorization.
What is the PRIMARY purpose of maintaining confidentiality in law enforcement psychological assessments?
Answer: To protect the individual's privacy and ensure honest, accurate responses
Confidentiality in psychological assessments ensures that candidates respond honestly without fear of unauthorized disclosure, yielding more accurate results.
An officer discovers a coworker accessing confidential personnel files without authorization. The most ethical course of action is to:
Answer: Report the unauthorized access to a supervisor or internal affairs
Unauthorized access to confidential files is a serious policy violation that must be reported through proper channels regardless of personal relationships.
Under which circumstance is it generally permissible to disclose information from a confidential law enforcement record?
Answer: When ordered by a court with proper jurisdiction
Confidential law enforcement records may be disclosed when required by a lawfully issued court order or subpoena.
In law enforcement, the 'need-to-know' principle means that information should be shared:
Answer: Only with those whose official duties require access to that specific information
The need-to-know principle limits information access to personnel whose specific role requires that information to perform their duties.
An officer inadvertently receives an email containing confidential medical information about a civilian. The correct action is to:
Answer: Notify the sender of the error and delete the email without sharing it
Receiving confidential information in error requires immediately notifying the sender and ensuring the information is not further disseminated.