Policy Text
University of California, San Francisco
Police Department General Orders
1.1 Law Enforcement Role and Authority: Law Enforcement Agency Role
1.1.3 Law Enforcement Code of Ethics (Revised: 9/30/10)
All UCSF Police Department sworn employees are required to read, understand, sign and uphold
a Law Enforcement Code of Ethics declaration. The Code of Ethics will usually be presented,
read and signed during the swearing -in ceremony and/or orientation week (s) for each sworn
personnel. In addition, all Department personnel will complete ethics training biennially. The
Law Enforcement Code of Ethics reads:
“As a Law Enforcement Officer, my fundamental duty is to serve the community;
to safeguard lives and pr operty; 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; 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
appropr iately 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 as long as I am tr ue to the ethics of the police service. I will
constantly strive to achieve these objectives and ideals, dedicating myself to my
chosen profession...law enforcement.”