Police Code of Conduct

• Author: George Kurian
• Pages: 1140-1142

Contenidos

• POLICE CODE OF CONDUCT.
• Primary Responsibilities of a Police Officer.
• Performance of the Duties of a Police Officer.
• Discretion.
• Use of Force.
• Confidentiality.
• Integrity.
• Cooperation with Other Police Officers and Agencies.
• Personal-Professional Capabilities.
• Private Life.

Page 1140

SOURCE Police Chief, October, 2002.

INTRODUCTION After thirty years of service, efforts were made to "replace" the 1957 IACP Law Enforcement Code of Ethics. The new code—longer, less idealistic, and more pragmatic—was adopted by the IACP Executive Committee on October 17, 1989, during IACP's 96th Annual Conference in Louisville, Kentucky. The committee that authored the new code acknowledged "the assistance of Sir John Hermon, former chief constable of the Royal Ulster Constabulary, who gave full license to the association to freely use the language and concepts presented in the RUC's 'Professional Policing Ethics,' Appendix I of the Chief Constable's Annual Report, 1988, presented to the Police Authority of Northern Ireland, for the preparation of this code." But the new code had a mixed reception. Its length disturbed some, and its diminished idealism troubled others, and the 1957 code remained a "sentimental" favorite. And so, at the 98th Annual IACP Conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota, October 5-10, 1991, the 1989 Code was renamed the Police Code of Conduct, and a slightly revised version of the 1957 Code was "reinstated" as The Law Enforcement Code of Ethics.

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POLICE CODE OF CONDUCT

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...