Policy Text
La Habra Police Department
La Habra PD Policy Manual
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2019/11/15, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by La Habra Police DepartmentLHPD CODE OF CONDUCT AND MISSION
STATEMENT - 1LHPD CODE OF CONDUCT AND MISSION STATEMENT
La Habra Police Department Code of Conduct
All law enforcement employees 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 police
service. To this end the members of the La Habra Police Department have adopted the following
guidelines.
An employee of the La Habra Police Department acts as an official representative of government
who is required and trusted to work within the law. The police 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. The fundamental duties of the professional civilian
employee are to serve the community and to provide the vital assistance police officers require
in the performance of their duties.
A member of the La Habra Police Department 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.
A police department employee 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, employees will strive to obtain maximum cooperation from the public. They
will conduct themselves in appearance and department in such a manner as to inspire confidence
and respect for the position of public trust they hold.
A member of the La Habra Police Department will responsibly use the discretion vested in his/her
position and exercise it within the law. 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.
The principle of reasonableness will guide the employee's determination, and the employee will
consider all surrounding circumstances in determining whether any legal action shall be taken.
There can be difficulty in choosing between conflicting courses of action and it is important to
remember that circumstances will determine the most effective means to achieving the desired
end.
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. The members of this police department will never engage in cruel, degrading or
inhumane treatment of any persons. Respect for the individual will be the overriding policy.
Whatever a police department employee sees, hears or learns of a confidential nature will be
kept secret unless the performance of duty or legal provision requires otherwise. Members of the
La Habra Police Department
La Habra PD Policy Manual
LHPD CODE OF CONDUCT AND MISSION STATEMENT
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2019/11/15, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by La Habra Police DepartmentLHPD CODE OF CONDUCT AND MISSION
STATEMENT - 2public have a right to security and privacy, and the information available about them must not be
improperly accessed or divulged.
Employees of the department are honest in thought and deed in their personal and official life.
Every employee will be exemplary in obeying the law and the regulations of this department. All
relationships and contacts are based on trust and honesty. A police department employee will
not engage in acts of corruption or bribery, nor will an employee condone such acts by other
department employees.
The public demands that the integrity of police department employees be above reproach.
Therefore, members of the La Habra Police Department must avoid any conduct that might
compromise integrity and thus undercut the public confidence in our law enforcement agency.
Department employees will refuse to accept any gifts, presents, subscriptions, favors, gratuities
or promises that could be interpreted as seeking to cause the employee to refrain from performing
official responsibilities honestly and within the law. Police department employees must not receive
private or special advantage from their official status. Respect from the public can only be earned
and cultivated by our actions.
All La Habra Police Department employees will cooperate with all legally authorized agencies
and their representatives in the pursuit of justice. It is imperative that all members of this police
department assist colleagues from other jurisdictions fully and completely with respect and
consideration at all times.
Police officers and professional civilian employees of the La Habra Police Department 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, an employee 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 never ending
process of personal and professional development that should be pursued constantly.
A member of the La Habra Police Department will behave in a manner that does not bring discredit
to their agency or themselves. The character and conduct of a member of the police department
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 employee's personal behavior must be beyond reproach.
La Habra Police Department Mission Statement
In partnership with our community, we provide the highest quality of police service
with pride, respect, integrity, and professionalism.
La Habra Police Department
La Habra PD Policy Manual
Copyright Lexipol, LLC