Northeast Counterdrug Training Center

Code Of Conduct

The Code of Conduct outlined within this section applies not only to students, but also contracted instructors and any visitor to the NCTC. The overall responsibility of ensuring student, staff, visitor, and instructor knowledge of and compliance with all NCTC policies is the Executive Director. The final decision on the removal of students/visitors or instructors who violate the Code of Conduct outlined in this policy rests with the Executive Director or Counterdrug Coordinator. The NCTC Officer-in-Charge (OIC) and the Training Coordinators will insure that instructors follow proper procedures for the release of disruptive students from their classes.

The Training Coordinators will ensure all students are briefed on the Code of Conduct and are familiar with student release procedures.

 

  1. Student Attendance:
    1. Attendance is required at all scheduled and announced training sessions.
    2. Except in the case of emergency, permission must be obtained from the instructor prior to any absence from any training session. In these circumstances, the instructor must communicate any necessary absences due to emergency to the NCTC Training Coordinator.
    3. Minor absences from training may be authorized by the instructor with approval from the Executive Director or his/her designee. Under no circumstances, however, will a student receive a certificate of training unless he/she has attended and participated in scheduled instruction to include practical exercises, classroom instruction, testing procedures and opening and closing exercises.
    4. Absences under the following circumstances may result in student release, without prejudice. If student is released, the student and the students’ agency/supervisor will receive a Student Release Letter, Without Prejudice.
      1. Recall by owning department/agency.
      2. Court appearance.
      3. Personal.
      4. Medical.
    5. Students released without prejudice may re-register for the class as soon as convenient for the student and his/her agency.
    6. Tardiness at the beginning of class sessions, unexcused departures during class, or late arrivals from breaks or lunch may result in release from the class.
    7. Only those persons authorized by the NCTC OIC will be allowed to observe or participate in its training classes.
  2. Personal Conduct:
    1. NCTC students, instructors and visitors are expected to conduct themselves in a professional and dignified manner at all times. Students must understand that they are representing their agency and community while attending NCTC classes.
    2. Appropriate behavior is defined as “proper or suitable behavior that will not offend or cause harm or damage to any person or piece of property, and will not cause embarrassment to NCTC or any of its supporting agencies.”
    3. Inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated, individually or collectively. This behavior includes, but is not limited to:
      1. Criminal misconduct
      2. Disorderly conduct
      3. Action unbecoming of an officer
      4. Absent from class without approval
      5. Unauthorized possession of a weapon
      6. Rude, suggestive or insulting remarks or gestures directed towards anyone
      7. Loud, boisterous or obscene language used or directed towards anyone
      8. Sleeping in class
      9. Violating the civil rights and/or human dignity of another person
      10. Theft
      11. The willful or negligent destruction of NCTC property, or the property of another student, instructor, or staff member
      12. Falsification or fraud in securing enrollment in class
      13. Serious or repeated refusal to follow safety instructions or in any way endangering the health or safety of other students, instructors, or staff
      14. Any act which demonstrates a lack of integrity or honesty and which is of sufficient magnitude that the consequences cause disruption of work or discredit to NCTC
      15. Intoxication during class or degradation of senses due to the use of prescription or non-prescription drugs
      16. Non-participation in class or failure to perform assigned work or other acts of insubordination
      17. False representation to an instructor as to the quality and/or quantity of academic work performed
      18. Unauthorized use of NCTC property
      19. Any improper student or staff relationship, which may include but is not limited to any intentional act of discrimination by an NCTC employee on the basis of sex (including sexual harassment), age, religion, ethnic origin, and/or handicap
      20. Hazing or other physical activity which is not job or training related
      21. Any other activity which is not compatible with good public service
      22. Any other violation of policies, procedures, rules and regulations, practices or guidelines established and maintained by NCTC
    4. In order to maintain integrity of the classroom, the Executive Director or his/her designee has the authority to temporarily suspend any student or visitor who requires immediate disciplinary action. The Executive Director or his/her designee will order the student/visitor to leave the training site or classroom until a review of the situation is completed. Before leaving the site, the student will be informed in writing by the Executive Director or his/her designee of the reason why he/she is being asked to leave.
    5. All complaints and violations of personal conduct will be investigated and reported to the student/visitor’s agency.
  3. Classroom and Training Site Conduct: Classroom and training site conduct outlined within this section applies to all individuals.
    1. During periods of instruction, students and visitors will refrain from talking or otherwise behaving in a distracting manner. All cell phones and pagers will be turned off or set on silent or vibrate.
    2. Smoking or other use of tobacco will not be permitted in the classrooms or lodging. Smoking in NCTC lodging facilities will result in the student being evicted from NCTC lodging. Students can continue to attend the course, but must find lodging elsewhere at their own expense.
    3. Bottled water is the only refreshment permitted in the Distance Learning Center and High Risk Entry Facility classrooms.
    4. Students and visitors will display respect towards instructors and speakers.
    5. The classroom and all adjacent areas will be kept clean and neat at all times.
    6. Violations of classroom and training site conduct will be investigated and reported to the Executive Director or Counterdrug Coordinator.
  4. Use of Alcohol and Drugs:
    1. Consumption of alcohol prior to or during training will not be tolerated.
    2. The use of illegal drugs will not be tolerated at any time.
    3. If, in the opinion of an instructor or NCTC staff member, a student or visitor appears to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs, the Executive Director will be notified and an investigation initiated.
  5. Student/Staff Relationships:
    1. Students will not engage in other than professional relationships with NCTC instructors, NCTC staff or support personnel.
    2. Other than professional relationships may be defined but are not limited to dating, intimate relationships or other inappropriate be¬havior that is prejudicial to the good order and discipline of the class. Other than professional relationships may also include any intentional act of discrimination by an NCTC employee on the basis of sex (including sexual harassment), age, religion, ethnic origin, and/or handicap.
    3. Violations of this policy will result in removal of the student from the class with prejudice.
  6. Complaint Procedure:
    1. If a student/visitor or instructor wishes to file a formal complaint, he/she may do so by contacting the respective Training Coordinator.
    2. In the event that the complaint is against the Training Coordinator, then the complaint will be filed with the Training NCOIC.
    3. Prior to the Training Officer’s final report, subjects of any com¬plaint will interviewed and notified in writing as to what has been reported against them, and what their rights are in regards to rebuttal.
    4. The Training Officer will order a full and immediate investigation of the complaint and a factual summary will be compiled for review; at which time the Training Officer will recommend a course of action to the Executive Director (or designee).
    5. The NCTC will take all measures possible to assure the anonymity of the individual(s) filing a complaint.
    6. Complaints that arise any suspicion or suggestion of criminal activity will be forwarded to the proper authorities.
    7. If actions are observed by the training staff, that staff member will report the actions through his/her chain of command to the NCTC OIC.
    8. A factual summary of the incident will be provided to the Executive Director or the Counterdrug Coordinator by the NCTC OIC in an expeditious timeframe, not to exceed twenty-four (24) hours without approval by the CDC.
  7. Student Release Procedures:
    1. If found to be in violation of this policy, the student will be escort¬ed to his/her room to remove belongings. The student will turn in the room key and vacate premises as soon as possible.
    2. The Executive Director will send a release letter to the student, his/her supervisor and the supporting agency.
    3. Students released from NCTC courses, with prejudice, for reasons such as those involving possible criminal misconduct or disorderly conduct will be ineligible to attend any future courses.
    4. Students released from NCTC courses, with prejudice, for rea¬sons such as those involving conduct unbecoming an officer or unauthorized absence from class will be ineligible to register for classes for a period of six (6) months.
  8. Appeal Process: The decision of the Executive Director is final. There are no appeals to release actions.
  9. Class Ombudsman:
    1. The Class Ombudsman will be the individual assigned as the Training Coordinator for the class.
    2. Duties of the Class Ombudsman are as follows:
      1. Serve as a contact point for students who have problems with NCTC policies or procedures; or with the actions of an instructor, staff or other students
      2. Represent the class to the NCTC staff regarding student welfare, identified concerns and/or needs of class members
      3. Improve/solve problems where possible within the class
      4. Secure and distribute training materials, supplies, and equipment
      5. Assist instructors, staff and students in any manner possible

Sexual Harassment

It is the policy of the Pennsylvania National Guard to treat all individuals with respect and dignity, since that is essential to good order and discipline. Mistreatment, harassment and inappropriate comments or gestures have no place in the Pennsylvania National Guard.

Sexual harassment is unacceptable behavior and will not be tolerated. Sexual harassment infringes on an individual’s right to a comfortable work and learning environment.

Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination that involves unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when:

  • Submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of a person’s job, pay, or career or submission to or rejection of such conduct by a person is used as a basis for career or employment deci¬sions affecting that person.
  • Submission to or rejection of such conduct by a person is used as a basis for career or employment decisions affecting that person.
  • Such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s work performance or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive working or learning environment.

The definition of sexual harassment emphasizes that workplace and classroom conduct need not result in concrete psychological harm to the victim, but rather need only be so severe or pervasive that a reasonable person would perceive, and the victim does perceive, the work or classroom environment as hostile or abusive.

For military members, the workplace may include conduct on or off duty, 24 hours a day. For civilian members, the workplace includes all compensable work time. For students and instructors, the classroom includes all scheduled training and NCTC-sponsored social events.

Immediate disciplinary action will be taken against any employee, instructor or student engaging in sexual harassment. Such action may include suspension, demotion, discharge, severance of future instructor use or early return to the student’s agency without course credit.

Any person who believes he or she has been the victim of sexual harassment, or who has any knowledge of such behavior, is urged to report such conduct immediately. NCTC personnel will report through the chain of command to the local EEO Officer or to the State Equal Employment Manager at (717) 861-8520. Instructors and students will report to the Training Coordinator for due process.