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by June Werdlow Stansbury, Ph.D.

This book contains information that every Criminal Justice Professional hopeful needs to know. It is written in response to an alarming trend whereby criminal justice candidates meet all of the requisite qualifications such as education, age, and citizenship but are still unable to obtain employment in their field. The problem is that they are unable to pass background screenings or investigations due to derogatory information contained in their pasts. And unlike other stumbling blocks, it is unlikely that much can be done to correct a background problem - the past is what it is. Becoming Ethically Marketable "sounds the alarm" to get prospective criminal justice candidates to understand the importance of and encourage them to present unsullied backgrounds - thereby becoming ethically marketable if it is their intent to obtain work in the field.

Becoming Ethically Marketable is designed to be a tool for criminal justice majors and recruits as well as those educators responsible for developing their students' careers. Whether the reader is a criminal justice major or recruit; a college professor responsible for teaching introductory courses or ethics; a police academy director or instructor; a police administrator or recruiter; or a mentor - there is information of value contained within the pages of Becoming Ethically Marketable. Candidates will value the frank advice to help them determine whether criminal justice is a field for them; while educators will appreciate a tool to help facilitate provocative discussion in an applied ethics format.

The primary objectives of Becoming Ethically Marketable are to help readers become ethically marketable by:

1. Identifying the importance of maintaining a lifestyle conducive to hire in the field of criminal justice
2. Identifying what constitutes inferior choices and behavior likely to disqualify or otherwise interfere with obtaining employment in the field of criminal justice
3. Making suggestions for thinking, decision-making and behavior likely to lead to passing intrusive hiring screenings and background investigation
4. Preparing readers for what to expect during intrusive screenings and background investigation
5. Providing suggestions to help with ethical decisions throughout a criminal justice career to retain employment
6. Facilitating a decision of whether becoming ethically marketable and remaining ethically fit are sacrifices one is willing to make in pursuit of a career in criminal justice

A unique approach in this book is the inclusion of Life Application Exercises at the conclusion of many of the chapters. The purpose of these exercises is to provide readers with real and current lifestyle examples to permit them to reflect and decide where they stand on matters that may be of importance to their future careers. Most focus on ethics for practitioners occurs post-hire. Becoming Ethically Marketable, much needed advice on how to prepare (pre-hire) ethically for those hoping to enter the profession, is now available - especially what they can do now to get ready. Becoming Ethically Marketable is recommended for use in college level criminal justice ethics, introduction or orientation courses; in police academies; by career counselors; by police recruiters; and by mentors of criminal justice hopefuls.

The subject of ethics is always timely; and this book is particularly so. Consider for example the emerging scandal concerning the withdrawal of Bernard Kerik as a presidential nominee for the position of Homeland Security Secretary. Amidst allegations about his background, Mr. Kerik asked the President to remove his name from consideration in filling the position while disclosing that he had employed a woman as a housekeeper and nanny who may have been an illegal immigrant; and that he had not paid the required taxes on her salary. To be selected to serve in one of the most prominent criminal justice positions in the nation and have to reject it due to background problems has to be one of the most disappointing times in one's life. His mentor, former Mayor Rudolph Giuliani who was instrumental in Mr. Kerik's selection said he was "heartbroken" and himself has faced adverse publicity as a result of the situation with his protégée.

"Heartbreaking" is also the sentiment the author experiences each time she encounters criminal justice candidates who have met all of the requisite qualifications such as education, age, and citizenship but still unable to obtain employment in their field. The problem is that they are unable to pass background screenings or investigations due to derogatory information contained in their pasts. And unlike other stumbling blocks, it is unlikely that much can be done to correct a background problem - the past is what it is. Becoming Ethically Marketable "sounds the alarm" to get prospective criminal justice candidates to understand the importance of and encourage them to present unsullied backgrounds - thereby becoming ethically marketable if it is their intent to obtain work in the field.

Becoming Ethically Marketable: A Guide for Criminal Justice Majors and Recruits is the product of contemplation and writing over the past four years. Having conducted research in the area of corruption, instructing ethics, managing on an executive level in a federal law enforcement agency and observing special problems criminal justice recruits experience today provides a basis for the author having written this book.

Part I -Practitioners in Criminal Justice

Why work in the Criminal Justice Field?
What can you be?
What Jobs? Opportunities in the Criminal Justice System

Part II - Deciding on & Preparing for a Career in Criminal Justice - "Know Thy Self"

Temptations - The Field of Criminal Justice: Is it too much for you
Integrity Can you keep a secret?
Family, Friends and Others Close
Loyalty
Truth and Honesty

Part III - The Process - What to Expect

"Getting High: Not in the Job Description". Drug Use - To Use or Not to Use
The Background Investigation: Getting to Know Who You Are
Driving Record
Money
Criminal History
Prior Work History
References and Your Reputation
Screenings
Urinalysis Testing for the Presence of Drugs
The Polygraph Exam
Psychological Exams
Interviews

Part IV - You Got It! Keep It! (Beyond the Hiring Process: Keeping it Together)

Deciding to Do the Right Thing
Rules, Rules, Rules
Do Criminal Justice Professionals have Freedom of Speech?
Competency
Abuse of Power
Equality
Unethical Behavior and the Code of Silence
A to Z for building a solid foundation for your Criminal Justice Career

Self-described as having the heart of a practitioner and the mind of a scholar, June W. Stansbury is a federal law enforcement executive and criminologist. Originally from Detroit, Michigan she is a graduate of Wayne State University (B.S. Degree in 1980) and Central Michigan University (M.A. Degree in 1982). She received a Ph.D. in Criminal Justice and Criminology at the University of Maryland in 1997. She has conducted research in her expertise and specialization of "Narcotic Law Enforcement" leading to the preparation of papers, making presentations and policy change within her agency. Her doctoral dissertation, entitled "A Descriptive Exploratory Analysis of Corrupt Drug Agents and their Careers in Corruption" has formed the basis for several Ethics presentations and policy recommendations.

She has worked for a federal law enforcement agency for over 21 years. Over the course of her career, Ms. Stansbury has conducted successful investigations; been an academy instructor; a first and second level supervisor; and ultimately elevated to the ranks of executive law enforcement. Her geographic assignments have also been diverse including Detroit, Michigan; Baltimore, MD; Arlington, VA; Quantico, VA; New York, NY; and Houston, TX.

For over a decade, she has made hiring decisions about criminal justice recruits. Ms. Stansbury remains convinced that those interested in working in the field of criminal justice must behave ethically long before entering their chosen professions to receive serious consideration for employment.

Ms. Stansbury has previous law enforcement experience as a Police Officer with the Detroit Police Department and also with Central Michigan University's Department of Public Safety. Ms. Stansbury authored a chapter on Counseling Issues & Police Diversity appearing in Police Psychology into the 21st Century. She has been a speaker at the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences' Conference, the International Symposium on the Future of Law Enforcement, the Interagency Committee on Federal Women in Law Enforcement Conference (ICWIFLE), Maryland's Annual State Conference on Teenage Pregnancy and Parenting, the D.A.R.E. Officer's Training Conference and numerous other training seminars including on the management level. She continues to educate community groups in her areas of expertise.

Several honors have been bestowed upon Ms. Stansbury including performance awards for outstanding achievement, scholarships, a police citation, and being featured in news stories. Most recently she was recognized by the Attorney General of the United States for outstanding performance.