Policy Text
West Covina Police Department
West Covina PD Policy Manual
LAW 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.
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2024/04/23, All Rights Reserved. LAW ENFORCEMENT CODE OF ETHICS - 2
Published with permission by West Covina Police Department
West Covina Police Department
West Covina PD Policy Manual
LEGAL DISCLAMER
The contents of this Manual are for Departmental use only and do not apply in any criminal or
civil proceeding. The Department policy should not be construed as a creation of higher legal
standard of safety or care in an evidentiary sense with respect to third party claims. Violations of
this directive will only form the basis for departmental administrative sanctions. Violations of law
will form the basis for civil and criminal sanctions in a recognized judicial setting.
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2024/04/23, All Rights Reserved. LEGAL DISCLAMER - 3
Published with permission by West Covina Police Department
West Covina Police Department
West Covina PD Policy Manual
Table of Contents
EXECUTIVE ORDER. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
LAW ENFORCEMENT CODE OF ETHICS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
LEGAL DISCLAMER. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Chapter 1 - Law Enforcement Role and Authority. . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
100 - Law Enforcement Authority. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
101 - Chief Executive Officer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
102 - Oath of Office. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
103 - Policy Manual. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
104 - Law Enforcement Code of Ethics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Chapter 2 - Organization and Administration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
200 - Organizational Structure and Responsibility. . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
201 - Departmental Directive. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
202 - Disaster Plan. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
203 - Training. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
204 - Electronic Mail. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .