Riverside Pd Policy Manual

Riverside Police Department Riverside PD Policy Manual Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2020/03/17, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Riverside Police DepartmentChief’s Preface - 1CHIEF’S PREFACE The Riverside Police Department Policy Manual is the result of countless hours of research, consultation and review of modern police procedures, evolving law and emerging best practices. It is a living document; additions, changes and deletions will inevitably be required, almost from the date of its publication. Nonetheless, issuing this manual is necessary to provide guidelines for our personnel and to give insight to the communities we serve into how we do our jobs and what they can expect from us. Each of us has an obligation to become familiar with the manual, to abide by its policies and to ensure that our comportment reflects the Department’s Core Values and Mission Statement and the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics, all of which are incorporated into the Policy Manual. The manual is not, however, a substitute for critical thinking and good judgment. No written guidance document can anticipate the entire range of human behaviors that police employees might encounter, nor can every contingency be predicted. We are all expected to follow policy. Occasionally, given the complex and nuanced nature of police work, we may need clarification from a supervisor as to how to interpret the manual in a specific situation. Always, we are expected to use our best professional judgment and our basic human decency to guide our actions. When we act thusly, we will have honored the many RPD heroes who have preceded us. Be safe and do good. Larry V. Gonzalez Chief of Police Riverside Police Department Riverside PD Policy Manual Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2020/03/17, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Riverside 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 and ideals, dedicating myself before God to my chosen profession . . . law enforcement. Riverside Police Department Riverside PD Policy Manual Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2020/03/17, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Riverside Police DepartmentMission Statement - 3MISSION STATEMENT The Riverside Police Department is dedicated to improving the quality of life, by creating a safe environment, in partnership with the people we serve. We act with integrity and grit to reduce fear and crime, while treating all with respect, compassion, and fairness. Riverside Police Department Riverside PD Policy Manual Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2020/03/17, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Riverside Police DepartmentVision Statement - 4VISION STATEMENT We will engage our community through exemplary service and unequaled professionalism, while employing a work force that reflects the diversity of our city. We will commit to implementing the latest technology available, and best practices, to meet the demands of 21st century modern policing. We will invest in the success of our employees of the Riverside Police Department by providing excellent training opportunities, advancement, and personal growth. Riverside Police Department Riverside PD Policy Manual Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2020/03/17, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Riverside Police DepartmentCore Values - 5CORE VALUES INTEGRITY We do what is right even when no one is looking. We pledge to uphold the core principles espoused in the Police Officer's Code of Ethics. We utilize this code as our moral compass guiding us to make proper choices. We recognize the ideals of integrity are inseparable from several other characteristics: •ACCOUNTABILITY - We do not try to shift the blame to others or take credit for the work of others. •COURAGE - We have moral courage and we