i-01CodeOfEthics

1 (04/28/2016)) ST. PETERSBURG POLICE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDER Subject: CODE OF ETHICS Index as: Code of Conduct Integrity Code of Ethics Oath of Office Code of Ethics, Law Enforcement Oath of Office, Public Employees Code of Ethics, Public Safety Telecommunications Police Code of Conduct Confidentiality Public Employees Oath of Office Discretion Public Safety Telecommunications, Code of Ethics Ethics Use of Force Ethics Training Accreditation Standards: 1.1.1, 1.1.2 Cross Reference: G.O. I-2, Mission, Values and Goals G.O. II-1, Written Orders and Directives G.O. IV-1, Rules of Conduct City of St. Petersburg Administrative Policy #010405 Rules and Regulations of the Personnel Management System, Section 9 §876.05, F.S.S. Replaces: G.O. I-1, Law Enforcement Code of Ethics (November 9, 2007) This O rder consists of the following sections: I. Introduction II. Law Enforcement Code of Ethics III. Police Code of Conduct IV. Public Safety Telecommunicators Code of Ethics V. Public Employees Oath of Office VI. Ethics Training I. INTRODUCTION A. All law enforcement officers and other employees of a law enforcement agency must be fully aware of the ethical and professional responsibilities of their position as public employees within the criminal justice system. They must strive constantly to live up t o the highest possible standards of the law enforcement profession. B. The Department believes it important that employees have clear direction to assist them in performing their duties in an ethical and professional manner and hereby adopt the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics and the Police Code of Conduct , both of which have been promulgated by the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP). C. While civilian e mployees of the Department lack the authority and powers of arrest granted by law to sworn employees, they represent the Department and the law enforcement profession by their actions and/or inactions and should conduct themselves in an ethical and professional manner whether on or off duty. DATE OF ISSUE EFFECTIVE DATE NUMBER April 2016 Immediately I-1 Distribution: All Employees General Order I -1 2 (04/28/2016 ) 1. The Association of Public Safety Communica tions Officials (APCO) has, likewise, published a Code of Ethics for Telecommunicators and this standard too is hereby adopted by this Department. This Code serves as a guide for the conduct of employees who provide valuable and direct services to the citi zens and visitors to the City of St. Petersburg. 2. Employees not represented by ethical codes addressed to sworn officers and Telecommunicator shall strive to comply with those portions of the cited ethical codes that are applicable to them in the course of their personal and professional lives and shall, like others, adhere to their oath of office (§876.05 F.S.S.). See also the City’s Administr ative Code and the Rules and Regulations of the Personnel Management System . II. LAW ENFORCEMENT CODE OF ETHICS “As a Law E nforcement Officer, my fundamental duty is to serve the community; to safeguard lives and property; to protec t 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 friendsh ips 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 neve r 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 con done such acts by other Police Officer s. 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. ” III. POLICE CODE OF CONDUCT A. Primary Responsibilities of a Police Officer - A Police Officer acts as an official representative of government who is required and trusted to work within the law. The officer's powers and duties are conferred by statute. The fundame ntal 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. B.