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I was asked to write what I though were the 2 most important characters that an officer should have.  This is what I wrote:

Picking the two most important qualities that an officer must have is like picking two of the brightest stars in the night sky.  But of the top qualities, two that are important are faith and integrity.

Faith is multifaceted.  I don’t refer to the Faith one has in their chosen deity.  That faith for me personally is of the highest importance.  It makes me who I am.  But being religious has nothing to do with being a good officer.  It’s the other levels of faith that I am talking about.  Faith in yourself, faith in your fellow officers and faith in the system.  It’s having enough faith in your fellow man to give them the benefit of the doubt, until they show themselves to be undeserving.  And also, it’s having the faith that though you may not win every time, justice will ultimately prevail.  Because otherwise, what is the point, right?

As with faith, Integrity has more then one meaning.  It’s the integrity to do a job that offers little praise.  It’s the integrity to act respectfully in the face of total disrespect. It’s the integrity to do the right thing when no one else is watching, when no one else would know or care. It’s the Integrity to do it because it is the right thing, and for that reason alone.  Integrity is helping someone who desperately needs help, when doing so is neither required of you nor is it your responsibility.  Integrity is to act in spite of your fears, not without fears.

Picking 2 qualities as being “the most important” is impossible.  Actually, it is a non-existent characterization.  Being a truly good peace officer requires a blending of many fibers.  It takes more then 2 strings to make a panel of fine silk.  It takes more then 2 characters to make a fine officer.