What Is the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics?
The topic of ethics and ethical behavior has faced society for centuries. Law enforcement personnel, in particular, face this issue daily. In recognizing this issue, the International Association of Chiefs of Police developed the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics to govern the behavior of all law enforcement personnel.
Other People Are Reading
-
How The Code Developed
-
The International Association of Chiefs of Police first developed a code of ethics in 1957. This code was revised at a conference in in Louisville, KY on October 17, 1989. In October, 1991, IACP members unanimously voted to adopt the code.
Issues Facing Law Enforcement
-
Corruption is a major issue facing law enforcement professionals. Eight issues in corruption face law enforcement personnel daily. They include the acceptance of bribes, association with criminals, disclosure of sensitive information, falsifying official documents, harassment and the failure to protect the rights of citizens.
-
The Oath Of Ethics
-
The International Association of Chiefs of Police recommends this Oath as follows: "On my honor, I will never betray my badge, my integrity, my character, or the public trust. I will always have the courage to hold myself and others accountable for our actions. I will always uphold the constitution my community and the agency I serve." The IACP strongly recommends that all law enforcement agencies take this Oath of Honor.
How The Oath Is Used
-
The Law Enforcement Code of Ethics is used as the oath of office for many law enforcement personnel upon graduation from an academy. Law enforcement professionals also take this oath when taking employment. This oath remains morally binding through the officer's career.
Other Aspects Of The Oath
-
There are other codes of ethics in existence that are taken by law enforcement personnel. They all involve the same concepts as IACP's Oath of Honor. They expect officers to keep private lives honorable, to only use the amount of force necessary to secure criminals, develop self-restraint, stay objective when enforcing the law, never accept gratuities, and to uphold the Constitutional rights of all citizens.
-
References
- Photo Credit Police image by Zeno from Fotolia.com
