Policy Text
La Palma Police Department
La Palma PD Policy Manual
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2020/01/09, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by La Palma Police Department- 1The Chief of Police has final responsibility for the prevention, detection and repression of crime,
the protection of life and property, enforcement of laws and ordinances, and the rendering of public
assistance. To assist him in the attainment of these objectives, he is provided with personnel
resources and equipment. There must be organization, direction and control so that he will be
assured of the most effective and economical accomplishment of these objectives, which, in
addition, must be achieved in a manner to inspire the confidence and respect of the public.
The efficiency of the Police Department, in enforcing criminal laws and municipal regulations in
this community, largely depends on administrative leadership, conduct and discipline.
Rules and regulations are designed to control the general conduct of Police Department
employees. Some basis for action must be left to the judgment and discretion of the individual,
inasmuch as there can be no set rules established which will embrace all of the situations
encountered in the normal course of police service with reasonableness and consistency.
To accomplish the Department's objectives, police employees are invested with authority, and
must regard laws as a means of controlling conduct, in an effort to ensure justice and equity to all.
Laws are not meant to be oppressive and therefore, law enforcement can achieve success only
by having the confidence and respect of the public it serves. Public confidence and respect can
be accomplished by a constant and earnest desire on the part of all police employees to conduct
themselves in a manner that will cultivate the recognition that the police are an important part of
the community and municipal government.
Police officers should bear in mind that he or she represents all law enforcement, and when vested
with legal authority, he is a representative of the law. It must be understood that respect which the
public affords to the law is largely that respect which it has for the police officers who enforce it.
All police employees are expected to be fair, polite, and eager to serve.
Honesty in all dealings, absence of bias and partiality, freedom from all forms of prejudice, and
a willingness to serve, all contribute to the respect that the public maintains for police as well as
enhancing the successful operation of the Department.
Police officers must do what is required for self preservation, but under no circumstances allow
their passions to induce brutality. Fear and favoritism must not cause neglect of duty. Police
Officers must be prepared both physically and mentally, to accomplish the police mission, even
to the point of endangering or actually giving their life.
Serving as a guide, the above statement should be a reminder to all police employees that
the Department's most valuable resource is the people who comprise it. Collectively, we must
consistently and competently deliver service of a superior quality.
Revisions: 07/20/09, 07/14/09, 06/11/09, 01/20/09, 12/23/08, 12/09/08, 07/21/08, 02/21/08,
01/10/08, 08/02/07, 10/20/06, 11/26/09, 12/07/09, 12/14/09, 12/23/09, 01/11/10, 02/09/10,
04/07/10, 05/04/10
La Palma Police Department
La Palma PD Policy Manual
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2020/01/09, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by La Palma Police DepartmentLaw Enforcement Code of Ethics - 2LAW 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 I condone 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