Policy Text
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Law Enforcement Code of Ethics 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
confid ential 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 ill
will, never employing unnecessary force or violence and never acceptin g 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, dedicatin g myself before God to my chosen profession...law
enforcement. ”
City of Los Angeles
CODE OF ETHICS
STATEMENT OF APPROVED PRINCIPLES FOR PUBLIC SERVICE
IN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES
Adopted by Council Resolution, July 21, 1959 and
Amended August 23, 1979 by Council resolution
I
General Rule with Respect to Conflicts of Interest
Persons in the public service shall not engage in nor shall they have any interest, direct or
indirect, in any business or transaction, nor incur obligation which is in substantial conflict with
the proper discharge of their official duties in the public interest or whic h impairs their
independence of judgement in the discharge of such duties.
II
Actions and Conduct Designed to Build Public Confidence
Persons in the public service shall not only be ever conscious that public service is a public trust
but also shall be impartial and devoted to the best interests of the City, and shall so act and
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Law Enforcement Code of Ethics conduct themselves, both inside and outside the City’s serv ice, as not to give occasion for
distrust of their impartiality or of their devotion to the city’s best interests.
III
Acceptance of Favors and Gratuities
Persons in the public service shall not accept money or other consideration or favors from
anyone other than the City for the performance of an act which they would be required or
expected to perform in the regular course of their duties; nor shall such persons accept any gifts,
gratuities or favors of any kind which might reasonably be interpreted as an attempt to influence
their actions with respect to City business.
IV
Use of Confidential Information
Persons in the public service shall not disclose confidential information acquired by or available
to them in the course of their employment with the City, or use such information for speculation
or personal gain.
V
Use of City Employment and Facilities for Private Gain
Persons in the public service shall not use, for private gain or advantage, their City time or the
City’s facilities, equipment or supplies, nor shall they use or attempt to use their position to
secure unwarranted privileges or exemption s for themselves or others.
VI
Contracts with the City
Persons in the public service shall not exercise any discretionary powers for, or make any
recommendations on behalf of or to the City or any department or officer thereof with respect to
any contrac t or sale to which the City or any department thereof is a party and in which such
persons shall knowingly be directly or indirectly financially interested.
VII
Outside Employment Impairing Service to the City
Persons in the public service shall not enga ge in outside employment or business activity which
involves such hours of work or physical effort that it would or could be reasonably expected to
substantially reduce the quality or quantity of work or interfere with such persons’ giving a full
day’s lab or for a full day’s pay.
VIII
Outside Employment Incompatible with Official Duties
Persons in the public service shall not engage in any outside employment which involves the
performance by them of any work which will come before them as officers or empl oyees of the
City, or under their supervision, for approval or inspection; provided that nothing in this
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Law Enforcement Code of Ethics paragraph shall be taken to limit in any manner the outside employment of such persons where
the interests of the City are protected under Section 222 of the Charter and ordinances adopted
thereunder.
IX
Personal Investments
Persons in the public service shall not make personal investments in enterprise which they have
reason to believe may be involved in decisions or recommendations to be made by the, or under
their supervision, or which will otherwise create a substantial co nflict between their private
interests and the public interests. If, however persons in the public service have financial
interests in matters coming before them, or before the department