Police Ethics: Establishing the Ethical Climate
Introduction
Being a chief of police entails “the process of inf luencing human behaviour to
achieve organizational goals that serve the public, while developing individuals,
teams, and the organization for future service.” This leadership process is
comprised of two component parts, direct and indirect leadership. One of the
responsibilities of indirect leadership on the part of a chief of police is to influence
the members of the department through shaping the context for ethical behaviour
in the delivery of police services. As senior leaders, police chiefs set the context
for ethical behaviour by the following:
1. Selecting people of good character to lead,
2. Setting an example of ethical behaviour at all times, avoiding even the
perception of questionable actions or words,
3. Establishing clear guidelines for ethical behaviour and supportive norms,
4. Building support for sound values in all members of the department,
5. Developing the moral sensitivity and judgment of others,
6. Keeping competition and stress within functional limits,
7. Using rewards for ethical behaviour and punishments for unethical
behaviour, and
8. Neutralizing forces in the department’s working environment that could
undermine ethical behaviour.
In the delivery of police services the authority to take a human life and to take
away a person’s freedom while maintaining his or her constitutional rights is
delegated to the lowest level in the organization. To this end, in order to mitigate
the effects of forces inside and outside the police department that might diminish
the character of the organization and its members in the ethical delivery of police
services, the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) offers the
following four documents as foundational principles for establishing clear ethical
guidelines within a police department.
•Law Enforcement Oath of Honor
•Law Enforcement Code of Ethics
•Law Enforcement Code of Conduct
•Canons of Police Ethics
Objectives
This unit examines some of the ethical principles guiding the police and their
mode of operations. Students are therefore expected to know the four ethical
principles vis avis ethical behaviours of law enforcement agents
Main body
IACP Ethics Toolkit
Enhancing Law Enforcement Ethics in a Community Policing
Environment
The International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) and the U.S. Department
of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) have
created an Ethics Toolkit: Enhancing Law Enforcement Ethics in a Community
Policing Environment.
"Ethics remains our greatest training and leadership need today."
Both the IACP membership and the COPS Office agree with the Police Image and
Ethics Committee's finding and consider ethics an important training and
leadership need. The toolkit they created is both a call to action and a resource
guide to assist local law enforcement agencies. Local agencies using the activities
and programs contained in this toolkit will heighten the awareness and visibility of
law enforcement's ethical standards both internally and externally. The tools are to
engage your agency in the building blocks of high ethical standards and to
demonstrate your department's commitment to ethics and professionalism to your
community.
The contents of this toolkit can be found on the IACP website at www.theiacp.org
--Professional Assistance – Ethics. Below is a listing of the toolkits resources.
What is the Law Enforcement Oath of Honor?
An explanation of the elements, the resolution establishing the Law Enforcement
Oath of Honor, and ways in which to present the oath.
Oath of Honor Video
Included in this toolkit is a video that reviews the Oath of Honor and its meaning.
Oath of Honor
A copy suitable for framing and displaying in your organization is included in this
toolkit.
Sign-on Campaign
It is important that not only is the oath distributed and incorporated into
ceremonies but that individual officers publicly record their commitments to high
ethical standards.
Focus on Ethics: The Law Enforcement Oath of Honor
Statement by the IACP Police Image and Ethics Committee
Regional Community Policing Institutes
Established by the Office of Community Oriented Police Services, U.S.
Department of Justice. Provides free ethics and integrity training courses.
Bibliography
This bibliography is of pertinent ethics and integrity literature produced in the law
enforcement literature since 1990. This listing of resources will be useful for law
enforcement training organizations, command staff and others interested in an in-
depth review of the topic.
Reports/Resources
Specific reports and resources that focus on the issues of ethics and integrity
Model Policy on Standards of Conduct
This policy, developed by the IACP Policy Center, is provided for agencies to
state with specificity the standards of conduct embodied in ethical conduct.
Agencies can adopt or modify to meet their needs.
IACP In-service Training Material
Police Ethics: Problems and Solutions. This two-part Training Key, designed for
in-service training of police officers, examines the nature and importance of police
ethics and discusses some of the factors that affect police integrity in today's
world. Specific suggestions that may help law enforcement agencies resolve some
of the problems are identified.
The Public Image of the Police
Final report presented to the International Association of Chiefs of Police by the
Administration of Justice Program, George Mason University reviewing the
existing knowledge of the public image of the police up to the year 2000.
Law Enforcement
Oath of Honor
On my honor, I will never
betray my badge, my integrity,
my character or the public trust.
I will always have the courage to hold
myself and others accountable for our actions.
I will always uphold the constitution,
my community and the agency I serve...... International Association of Chiefs of
Police
IACP Law Enforcement Code of Ethics
As a law enforcement officer, my fundamental duty is to serve the community; to
safeguard lives and property; to protect the innocent against deception, the weak
against oppression or intimidation and the peaceful against violence or disorder;
and to respect the constitutional rights of all to liberty, equality and justice.
I will keep my private life unsullied as an example to all and will behave in a
manner that does not bring discredit to me or to my agency. I will maintain
courageous calm in the face of danger, scorn or ridicule; develop self-restraint; and
be constantly mindful of the welfare of others. Honest in thought and deed both in
my personal and official life. I will be exemplary in obeying the law and the
regulations of my department. Whatever I see or hear of a confidential nature or
that is confided to me in my official capacity will be kept ever secret unless
revelation is necessary in the performance of my duty.
I will never act officiously or permit personal feelings, prejudices, political beliefs,
aspirations, animosities or friendships to influence my decisions. With no
compromise for crime and with relentless prosecution of criminals, I will enforce
the law courteously and appropriately without fear or favor, malice or ill will,
never employing unnecessary force or violence and never accepting gratuities.
I recognize the badge of my office as a symbol of public faith, and I accept it as a
public trust to be held so long as I am true to the ethics of police service. I will
never engage in acts of corruption or bribery, nor will Icondone such acts by other
police officers. I will cooperate with all legally authorized agencies and their
representatives in the pursuit of justice.
I know that I alone am responsible for my own standard of professional
performance and will take every reasonable opportunity to enhance and improve
my level of knowledge and competence.
I will constantly strive to achieve these objectives and ideals, dedicating myself
before God to my chosen profession . . . law enforcement.
Law Enforcement Code of Conduct
The International Association of Chiefs of Police
All law enforcement officers must be fully aware of the ethical responsibilities of
their position and must strive constantly to live up to the highest possible
standards of professional policing. The International Association of Chiefs of
Police believes it important that police officers have clear advice and counsel
available to assist them in performing their duties consistent with these standards,
and has adopted the following ethical mandates as guidelines to meet these ends.
Primary Responsibilities of a Police Officer
A police officer acts as an official representative of government who is required and
trusted to work within the law. The officer’s powers and duties are conferred by
statute. The fundamental duties of a police officer include serving the community,
safeguarding lives and property, protecting the innocent, keeping the peace and
ensuring the rights of all to liberty, equality and justice.
Performance of the Duties of a Police Officer
A police officer shall perform all duties impartially, without favor or affection or
ill will and without regard to status, sex, race, religion, political belief or
aspiration. All citizens will be treated equally with courtesy, consideration and
dignity. Officers will never allow personal feelings, animosities or friendships to
influence official conduct. Laws will be enforced appropriately and courteously
and, in carrying out their responsibilities, officers will strive to obtain maximum
cooperation from the public. They will conduct themselves in appearance and
deportment in such a manner as to inspire confidence and respect for the position
of public trust they hold.
Discretion
A police officer will use responsibly the discretion vested in his position and
exercise it within the law. The principle of reasonableness will guide the officer’s
determinations, and the officer will consider all surrounding circumstances in
determining whether any legal action shall be taken. Consistent and wise use of
discretion, based on professional policing competence, will do much to preserve
good relationships and retain the confidence of the public. There can be difficulty
in choosing between conflicting courses of action. It is important to remember that
a timely word of
advice rather than arrest— which may be correct in appropriate
circumstances—can be a more effective means of achi eving a desired end.
Use of Force
A police officer will never employ unnecessary force or violence and will use only
such force in the discharge of duty as is reasonable in all circumstances.
The use of force should be used only with the greatest restraint and only after
discussion, negotiation and persuasion have been found to be inappropriate or
ineffective. While the use of force is occasionally unavoidable, every police
officer will refrain from unnecessary infliction of pain or suffering and will never
engage in cruel, degrading or inhuman treatment of any person.
Confidentiality
Whatever a police officer sees, hears or learns of that is of a confidential nature
will be kept secret unless the performance of duty or legal provision requires
otherwise. Members of the public have a right to security and privacy, and
information obtained about them must not be improperly divulged.
Integrity
A police officer will not engage in acts of corruption or bribery, nor will an officer
condone such acts by other police officers. The public demands that the integrity
of police officers be above reproach. Police officers must, therefore, avoid any
conduct that might compromise integrity and thus undercut the public confidence
in a law enforcement agency. Officers will refuse to accept any gifts, presents,
subscriptions, favors, gratuities or promises that could be interpreted as seeking to
cause the officer to refrain from performing official responsibilities honestly and
within the law. Police officers must not receive private or special advantage from
their official status. Respect from the public cannot be bought; it can only be
earned and cultivated.
Cooperation with Other Police Officers and Agencies
Police officers will cooperate with all legally authorized agencies and their
representatives in the pursuit of justice. An officer or agency may be one among
many organizations that may provide law enforcement services to a jurisdiction. It
is imperative that a police officer assists colleagues fully and completely with
respect and consideration at all times.
Personal-Professional Capabilities
Police officers will be responsible for their own standard of professional
performance and will take every reasonable opportunity to enhance and improve
their level of knowledge and competence. Through study and experience, a police
officer can acquire the high level of knowledge and competence that is essential
for the efficient and effective performance of duty. The acquisition of knowledge
is a neverending process of personal and professional development that should be
pursued constantly.
Private Life
Police officers will behave in a manner that does not bring discredit to their
agencies or themselves. A police officer’s character and conduct while off duty
must always be exemplary, thus maintaining a position of respect in the
community in which he or she lives and serves. The officer’s personal behavior
must be beyond reproach.
