The key question is, what conduct is permissible?
Professional Misconduct
This form of misconduct can range from insensitive verbal abuse of a citizen to negative body language. On the one hand, a criminal or civil violation may have occurred, while on the other, agency standards of professional conduct may be at issue. The possibilities for wrongdoing in this instance can fall within two rubrics: the law and professional conduct “unbecoming of an officer.” Again, the distinction between this type of wrongdoing and corruption is that no personal gain for the officer or others is involved. The key question is, what conduct is permissible? Hence there is a need for established policies, procedures, rules, and sanctions that explicitly encompass the conduct of police employees, both on and off duty.