Ethical Standards in Law Enforcement
| Author | George Kurian |
| Pages | 1137-1140 |
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SOURCE American Academy for Professional Law Enforcement, 1976.
INTRODUCTION The American Academy for Professional Law Enforcement (AAPLE) was formed in 1974—the result of a merger of the New York based Academy of Police Science and the St. Louis-based Law Enforcement Association on Professional Standards, Education and Ethical Practice. AAPLE's mission was to foster "professional standards" in the provision of "law enforcement services to the public." It sought to do this "through education and training aimed at providing the maximum effective service and promotion of highest professional ethics in serving clients and dealing in inter-professional activities with colleagues." A note to the standards indicates that it is "based on provisions of 'Ethical Standards in Law Enforcement' developed as a consequence of LEAPS, Second National Symposium on Police Ethical Practice with subsequent amendments, June 26, 1973." It is further stated that "the new materials in Sections 5.0, 6.0, 9.0, and 10.0 were suggested by Professor William
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P. Brown. Section 6.0 c.f. and 10.0 are based on the provisions of the Draft Code of Conduct for Law Enforcement Officials adopted by the United Nations Committee on Crime Prevention and Control and as reported by Amnesty International."
The worth of the law enforcement profession is measured by its contribution to the welfare of man. Police officers are entrusted with a legal authority and responsibility to enforce the laws of society and to carry out this mandate with courtesy, fairness, consideration, and compassion.
The purposes of these principles of ethics are: to elevate the standards of the profession and to strengthen public confidence in law enforcement; to encourage law enforcement officers to fully appreciate the total responsibilities of their office; to earn the support and cooperation of the public; and to ensure the effectiveness of service to society.
The officer is entrusted with special authority and responsibility to enforce the laws of society and to give assistance in a specified manner to individuals in need. He is required to carry out this mandate with courtesy, fairness, consideration, and compassion.
The officer should manifest a belief in the dignity and worth of every individual and in the constitutional right of each person to liberty, equality, and justice under law.
The officer should manifest commitment to the welfare of the public. That interest is best served when high value is placed on objectivity and integrity and on achieving the highest standards of professional service.
Officers in a command or supervisory position should carry out their duties in a manner that is consistent with a full recognition of their responsibilities and an effort to achieve them with the highest degree of professional effectiveness and ethical awareness.
The need for continual striving for increased professional competence is an obligation shared by all law enforcement officers. That responsibility begins when they enter the police service and continues throughout their professional career.
While education and training does not guarantee competence, the emphasis on the personal development that it manifests does tend to equip an officer to better meet the changing demands of...
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