Policy Text
LAW ENFORCEMENT CODE OF ETHICS
As a Law Enforcement Officer my fundamental duty is to serve mankind; 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 men to liberty, equality and justice.
I will keep my private life unsullied as an example to all; 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 in both my personal and official life, I will
be exemplary in obeying the laws of the land 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, 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 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 the police service. I will constantly
strive to achieve these objectives and ideals, dedicating myself before God to my chosen
profession...law enforcement.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1 GENERAL PROVISIONS .......................................................................... 4
1.1 DEPARTMENT MANUAL ............................................................................................ 4
1.2 LEGALITY .................................................................................................................... 6
1.3 DELETED ..................................................................................................................... 7
1.4 POLICE DEPARTMENT PUBLICATIONS .................................................................. 8
1.5 UNIFORM & EQUIPMENT SPECIFICATIONS MANUAL ........................................... 9
1.6 DEFINITION OF TERMS ............................................................................................ 10
1.7 ORDERS - TYPES OF ............................................................................................... 13
1.8 CORRESPONDENCE REFERENCE NUMBER DESIGNATIONS ........................... 14
1.9 FLAGS - DISPLAY OF ............................................................................................... 15
2 STRUCTURE, RANK & RESPONSIBILITIES ........................................ 16
2.1 ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE ............................................................................ 16
2.2 RANK ......................................................................................................................... 17
2.3 THE CHIEF OF POLICE ............................................................................................ 20
2.4 ASSISTANT CHIEF OF POLICE ............................................................................... 21
2.5 DEPUTY CHIEF OF POLICE OR BUREAU MANAGER ...................................... 22
2.6 POLICE COMMANDER OR ADMINISTRATOR ....................................................... 23
2.7 POLICE LIEUTENANT .............................................................................................. 24
2.8 POLICE SERGEANT ................................................................................................. 25
2.9 MISCONDUCT OBSERVED BY SUPERVISOR ....................................................... 28
3 PERSONAL CONDUCT .......................................................................... 29
3.1 PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT & RESPONSIBILITIES .............................................. 29
3.2 GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES - EMPLOYEES ...................................................... 31