Police Ethics and PCR
Police Ethics and PCR
AND POLICE
COMMUNITY RELATION
INTRODUCTION
All members of PNP shall abide and adhere to the provisions
of Code of professional conduct and ethical standards.
Towards this end, a truly professionalized and dedicated
law enforcers shall be developed in promoting peace and
order, ensuring public safety and enhancing community
participation guided by the principle that all public servants
must at all times be accountable to the people.
3.Fortitude – Firmness of mind. It is the courage to endure
without yielding. A virtue which incites courage.
a. Patience – Calmness and composure in enduring
something.
b. Perseverance – It is the ability to go on in spite of
obstacle or opposition.
c. Endurance – It is the ability to last.
4. Justice – It is a virtue that inclines the will to give to each
one his right.
THREE DIVISIONS OF JUSTICE
COMMUTATIVE
• virtue that regulates those actions that involve the rights that
exist between one individual and another
e.g. SPO1 Geffrey Limbo violates commutative justice if he steals
the gun of Patrolman Juan Borja.
DISTRIBUTIVE
• regulates those actions that involve the rights that an individual
may claim from society
e.g. A mayor violates distributive justice if he confers an honorary
title on an undeserving relative of his.
LEGAL
• virtue that regulates those actions which society may justly
require of the individual for the common good
e.g. The state may make laws concerning imports. If a man
smuggles contraband into a country, he violates legal justice.
TWO (2) FUNDAMENTAL LAWS OF HUMAN SOCIETY
• Justice
• Charity
The law of CHARITY:
• Man is by virtue as a social animal. He is intended to live his life in company with
his fellow human beings.
• Man has certain obligations with regards to his fellowmen.. He is bound not only
by the law of justice, which obliges him to respect their rights, but also by the law
of charity, which binds him to give them under certain conditions whatever help
they may require.
Exemption from the doctrine COMMAND RESPONSIBILITY
• An officer of the police who is directly or immediately in command shall be
answerable under the doctrine of command responsibility for any misfeasance
(wrongful doing of an act which might be done lawfully), malfeasance
(commission of a wrongful act) or nonfeasance (failure to perform a duty) of his
subordinates.
Exemption:
• When he was not properly informed of the acts of mission of his subordinates.
• When he was properly informed and he conducted an immediate investigation of
such act or omission.
• When he acted upon lawful orders from higher authorities.
Definition of Terms:
1. Neglect of duty or non-feasance – is the omission
or refusal, without sufficient excuse, to perform an act
duty, which it was the peace Officer’s legal obligation
to perform, it implies a duty as well as its breach and
the fact can never be found in the absence of a duty.
2. Irregularities in the performance of Duty – is the
improper performance of some act which might
lawfully done.
3. Misconduct or malfeasance – is the doing, either
through ignorance, inattention or malice, of that which
that which the Officer had no legal right to do at all. As
where he act without any authority whatsoever. Or
exceeds, ignores, or abuse his powers.
Continuation…
4. In - competency – is the manifest lack
of adequate ability for the satisfactory
intellectual and physical performance of
police duties.
5. Oppression – imports an act of cruelty,
severity, unlawful execution, domination,
or excessive use of authority.
6. Dishonesty – is the concealment or
distortion of truth in matter of fact
relevant of one’s office.
Continuation…
7. Disloyalty to the Government –
consist of abandonment or renunciation of
one’s loyalty to the Government of the
Philippines, or advocating the overthrow of
the government.
8. Violation of Law – presuppose
conviction in court of any crime of
offenses penalized under revised penal
code or any special law or ordinances.
Law Enforcement Code of Ethics
As a law enforcement Officer, my
fundamental duty is to serve mankind;
to safeguard life and property; to
protect the innocent against deception,
weak against oppression or intimidation
and the peaceful against violence or
disorder; and to respect the
constitutional right of all men, liberty,
equality and justice.
Continuation…
I will keep my private life unsullied as an example
to all maintain courageous calm in the face of
danger, scorn or ridicule; develop selfrestrain
and be constantly mindful of the welfare of the
others. Honest in thought and deed in both me
personal and official life, I will be exemplary in
obeying the laws of the land and regulations of
my department/organization. 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 sworn duty.
Continuation…
I will never act officiously or permit
personal feelings, prejudices,
animosities or friendship to influences
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 illwell, never
employing unnecessary force or
violence and never accepting gratuities
in return.
Continuation…
I recognize the badge of my office as a
symbol of 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.
Continuation…
I know that I alone is responsible for
my own standard of professional
performances and will take ever
reasonable opportunity to enhance
and improve my level of knowledge
and competence. I will constantly
strive these objectives and ideals,
dedicating myself; before God to my
chosen profession… Law
Enforcement.
“As a Law Enforcement Officer, my fundamental duty is to serve
mankind”
• This passage is contained in two words: “duty” and “service”.
Too often we forget that law enforcement is not just a job for
which we are hired as one would hire a laborer or tradesman.
It involves a sworn duty. Some progressive police department
now requires that its officers reaffirm their oath each year in
an effort to drive home the message that is contained in this
sworn oath. And to again remind the officer of the essential
relationship between his job and the free society in which he
lives.
• The word “serve” denotes the denial of one’s own pleasures
and desire for the good of the person or persons to be
served. Service involves dedication and sacrifice of the giving
of one’s self. These are words that many find hard to swallow
in his present day and age but the job of professional law
enforcement requires a special creed of man.
“To safeguard lives and property; to protect
the innocent against deception, the weak
against oppression or intimidation; and the
peaceful against violence or disorder”
• One of the first things that a law enforcement officer must
learn is that he has no private life. Every citizen should be
entitled to his own private life yet when a person accepts the
calling of Law enforcement, as a voluntary measure, he must
be willing to offer his privacy as a sacrifice to the good of the
community which he serves. If a law enforcement officer
could hide from his neighbors the facts that he is a
policeman, then his private life could be his own. This,
however, is impossibility. If a policeman has a family, hi
occupation will become known in the neighborhood within a
few days at the most. It he is single, and keeps to himself,
he may keep the secret a little longer, but if he is engaged in
active law enforcement within his community, it is inevitable
that his neighbors will become aware of it. One this is
known, he will become the Object of constant observation.
“ Maintain courageous calm in the face of danger,
scorn or ridicule and develop self restrain”
• In a democratic society, a police officer is a public officer
and as such is a servant to the community. Instead of
being above reproach or ridicule, he must expect to
receive his position, as part of his job. It is not easy to
control one’s temper when being subjected to
unnecessary and unjustified scorn or ridicule. Punching
the perpetrator in the mouth will hurt him physically, but
psychologically he will sense victory in that he knows
that he “got to the officer.” Nothing will hurt him more
than being ignored. Through practice, even the officer
with temper can learn to control it. For the professional
law enforcement officer it is “must”. When subjected to
scorn and ridicule, it often helps just to consider the
source.
“ Whatever I see or hear of a confidential nature or that is confided to
me in my official capacity will be kept secret unless revelation is
necessary in the performance of my duty”
• Some officers feel that there is a difference in that the information
obtained by the doctor and attorney is freely given with the
understanding that will be confidential whereas the he information
obtained as part the law enforcement officer can be the result of
many sources or forms of investigation.
• How it was obtained is really not important. The fact that it was
obtained as part of the officer’s occupation, and is usually
information that he would not have otherwise obtained had he not
been in that field, is the key point.
• This information should never leave the department or the person
retaining it unless it is in the interest of justice. An officer should
even be careful not to reveal information to his wife. An officer’s
wife is often very tempted to reveal information of a confidential
nature of neighbor women in an effort to show her neighbors the
importance of her husband’s job, and to gain status in the eyes of
the neighbor women.
“I will never permit personal feelings, prejudice,
animosities or friendship to influence my decisions”
• One of the faults common to new officers is that they often act
officiously. They appear to the public to be overimpressed with
their own importance. In a way this is natural because it is
associated with pride and a new officer is usually very proud for his
is a noble undertaking. However, a law enforcement officer must
always guard against having this pride misinterpreted by the public
as being merely officious.
• The majority of the people who make contact with a law
enforcement officer during his hour of duty are not criminals. The
majority of the persons receiving tickets from an officer are normally
law abiding, upright citizens of the community, and they are usually
embarrassed enough by being caught inn a traffic violation without
being talked down to or treated like a criminal. Judges often report
that a common reason for a person appearing in traffic court as not
so much to contest the facts of the offense as it is complain about
the demeanor of the officer issuing the citation.
“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”
• The term “with no compromise for crime” means that crime will not be
knowingly permitted. It does not mean that the officer must perform his
duties to the “letter of the law” without taking into consideration the “spirit
of the law”. If the Code of Ethics will be examined, nothing will be found in
it to the effect than an officer must obtain convictions and send people to
prison for long periods of time. It does state, however, that he must do the
best of which he is capable, and that his actions must in them be ethical.
No man can predict or guarantee the final results of any action. Only god
can do this, Man can only be responsible for his immediate actions. If an
officer does a good job and the court release the criminal, the blame rests
not upon him but upon the courts, the jury or society itself. The modern law
enforcement officer has a new motto “Be firm but fair”. He does not have to
be a “theory bound” sociologist just because he treats criminals like human
beings.
• The professional law enforcement officer lets the criminal call the tune as to
his own treatment. The officers can and must be as tough as the situation
demands yet there is no personal vindictiveness in the way he treats the
criminal. His tone of voice and demeanor usually indicate that he will not
be walked on, yet his actions are fair
“I will never employ unnecessary force or violence”
• At times the use of force in the performance of one’s
duties is an absolute necessity. There is no escaping it.
It is extremely difficult to judge exactly whether or not
use of force is necessary in a given situation. The use of
force or violence during interrogations will often produce
immediate confessions, but it should be avoided on
ethical grounds. The interrogator seldom knows with
complete certainty that the suspect is guilty, and the use
of force or the “third degree” on an innocent person is
certainly a miscarriage of justice as well as a violation of
professional conduct. As a means of Punishment for the
criminal, it would be out of place for it is not the function
of law enforcement to punish criminals. This belongs to
the courts and prisons.
“I will never accept gratuities”
• The essence of this section is one of the most overlooked and forgotten
facets of law enforcement by the man in the field. It is this that
distinguishes the difference between law enforcement and the ordinary job.
It is this that enables an officer to suffer the difficulties and problems that
make the held, at times, so frustrating and discouraging. Police
administrators would do well to place more emphasis upon the swearing
process. It should be made very formal and similar to the initiation of many
fraternal organizations.
• The chief of Police should see that the recruit is not issued a badge or
allowed to put on a uniform until he is thoroughly familiar with the code of
ethics and especially the above section. He should be made to understand
that he is one of a select few, and that his job is public trust that must be
earned. The new officer should also understand that any personal reward
would not be obtained from the public itself. This is so because the public is
a difficult master, it there no to personal reward, it can only come from
itself or from knowing the true significance of the job and the essential role
that in plays in society. Perhaps the greatest reward is the selfrespect and
satisfaction that comes from the knowledge that the job was done in a truly
professional manner.
“I will constantly strive to achieve these objectives and ideals
dedicating my self before God, to my chosen profession… Law
Enforcement”
Proper Conduct and Behavior
• The policeman shall be mindful of his special identification by
the public as an upholder of law. Police laxity of conduct or
manner in private life, expressing either disrespect for the law
or seeking to gain special prevail, cannot but reflect upon in
the policeman and the police service. The community and the
service requires that the policeman leads the life of decent
and honorable person, following the career of policeman gives
no special prerequisite.
Conduct towards the Community
• The policeman shall be mindful of his responsibility to the community
• He shall deal with individuals of the community in the manner calculated to
instill respect for its law.
• He shall conduct his official life in a manner that will inspire confidence and
trust.
• He will be neither overbearing nor subservient, as no individual citizen has
no obligation to stand in awe of him or fight to command him.
• He will do neither from personal preference or prejudice but rather a duly
appointed officer of the law discharging his sworn obligation.
Conduct in Arresting Law Violator
• Policeman shall use his powers of arrest in accordance with the law and
with due regard to the rights of the citizen concerned.
• He shall, at all times, have a clear appreciation of his responsibilities and
limitation regarding the detention of the accused.
• He shall conduct himself in such a manner as will minimize the possibility of
having to use force.
• He shall cultivate a dedication to the people and the equitable upholding of
the law whether in the handling of the accused or lawabiding citizen.
Firmness in Refusing Gifts or Favors
• Policeman representing the government bears heavy responsibility of maintaining, in
his conduct, the honor and integrity of all government institution.
• He shall guard against placing himself in a Position in which the public can reasonably
assume that special consideration is being given.
• He shall be firm in refusing gifts, favors or gratitude, large or small, which can be
public mind, be interpreted as capable of influencing his judgment in the discharge of
his duties.
Attitude towards Police Profession
• Policeman shall regard the best possible of his duties as a public trust and recognize
his responsibilities as a public servant.
• He shall strive to make the best possible application of science to the selection of the
crime and in the field of human relation.
• He shall strive for effecting leadership and public influence in matters affecting public
safety.
• He shall appreciate the importance and responsibility of his office, and hold police
work to be an honorable profession rendering valuable service to his community.
• Through study and experience, a police officer can acquire the high level of
knowledge and competence that is essential for the efficient and effective
performance of duty. The acquisition of knowledge is a never ending process of
personal and professional development that should be pursued constantly.
Impartial Presentation of Evidence
– Policeman shall be concerned equally in the prosecution of the accused or
for the defense of the innocent
– He shall ascertain what kind of evidence and shall present such evidence
impartially and without malice.
– He shall ignore social, political and all other distinction among the person
involved, strengthening the tradition of reliability and integrity of an
officer’s word.
Professional Police Principles
The following are the professional police principles:
• Prevention of crime and disorder
• Cooperation of the community
• Unreasonable force reduce community cooperation
• Use of reasonable force when persuasion is not sufficient
• Impartial enforcement of laws.
• The community is the police.
• Police should not usurp judicial powers.
• Rules of engagement impartially observed.
• Reduction of crime and dishonor.
• Police discretion
Prevention of Crime and Disorder
• The basic mission for whom the police exist is to prevent crime and disorder
as an alternative to the repression of crime and disorder by police force and
severity of legal punishment.
Cooperation of Crime and Disorder
• The police must secure the willing cooperation in the voluntary observance
of the law to be able to secure and maintain the respect and support of the
community. The ability of the police to perform their duty is dependent upon
community support of police existence, actions, behavior and the ability of
the police to secure and maintain community and respect.
Unreasonable Force Reduce Community Cooperation
• A police officer will never employ unnecessary force or violence and will use
only such force in the discharge of duty as in reasonable in all
circumstances. Force should be used only with the greatest restraint and
only after discussion, negotiation and persuasion have been found to be
inappropriate or ineffective. While the use of force is occasionally
unavoidable, every police officer will refrain from applying the unnecessary
infliction of pain or suffering and will never engage in cruel, degrading of
inhuman treatment of any person.
Use of Reasonable Force when Persuasion Is Sufficient
• The police should use reasonable force to the extent necessary to secure observance
of the law or to restore order only when the exercise of persuasion, advice and
warning is found to be insufficient to attain police objectives. No violence or
unnecessary force shall be subject to any greater restrain than is necessary for his
detention.
Impartial Enforcement of Laws
• The police seek and preserve community favor, not by catering to community opinion,
but constantly demonstrating absolutely impartial enforcement of laws, without regard
to the justice and injustice of the substance of particular laws. In short, there should
be impartial enforcement of laws on all individual members of the, society without
regard to their race of social standing.
The Community is the Police
• The police at all times should maintain relationship with the community that gives
really to the historic tradition that the police are the community are the police. The
police are the only members of the community who are pain to give full time attention
to maintain peace and order, which are incumbent on every citizen in the interest of
community welfare.
Police Should Not Usurp Judicial Powers
• The police should always direct their actions strictly toward their functions and never
appear to usurp the powers of judiciary by averaging individuals of the state of
authoritative judging guilt of punishing the guilt.
Reduction of Crime and Disorder
• The test of police efficiency is the reduction of crime and disorder until totally eradicated,
not by evidence of police present and action in dealing with the community.
Rules of Enforcement Impartially Observed
• Policemen engaged in anticrime operation always consider the safety and security of who
might be caught in the crossfire or arm encounters.
• The use of force including firearms is justifiable only by virtue of the Doctrine of self
defense and Defense of a Stranger. Nobody, including the policeman and other law
enforcement authorities is above the law.
• The use of force, especially firearms, should be applied only as a last resort, when all other
peaceful and nonviolent means has been exhausted.
• The use of force, especially firearms, should be confined only in the lawless elements and
the responding PNP unit. This is inherent in the police service in which the profession, the
armaments and safety life of every police officer are dedicated to the protection and safety
of the people.
Police Discretion
• A police officer will use responsibly the discretion vested in the position and exercise if
within the law. The principle of reasonableness will guide the officer’s determinations and
the officer will consider all surrounding circumstances whether any legal action shall be
taken. Consistent and wise use of discretion, based on professional policing competence,
will do much to preserve good relationship and retain the confidence of the public. There
can be difficulty in choosing between conflicting courses of action. It is important to
remember that a timely word of advice rather than arrest (in appropriate circumstances) is
a more effective means of achieving a desired end.
Professional Police Principles
Professional Police Principles, these are principles that
helps the Police force in maintaining the high standards of
the Police profession. These are the following:
1. Prevention of crime and disorder
2. Cooperation of the Community
3. Unreasonable Force Reduces Community
Cooperation
4. Use of Reasonable Force when persuasion is
not sufficient
5. Impartial enforcement of laws
6. The community are the Police
7. Police should not usurp judicial powers
8. Rules of engagement impartially observed
9. Reduction of crime and dishonor
10. Police discretion
The PNP Core Values
The Police service is a noble profession and demand
from its members specialized knowledge, skill and high
standards ethics and morality. In this regard, the
member of the Philippines National Police must adhere
to and internalize the enduring core values of the PNP.
These are the following Core values:
1. LOVE OF GOD
2. RESPECT TO AUTHORITY
3. RESPECT FOR WOMEN
4. RESPECT FOR SANCTITY OF MARRIAGE
5. STEWARDSHIP OVER MARITAL THINGS
6. RESPONSIBLE DOMINION
7. TRUTHFULNESS
What is a Pledge?
A pledge is a promise or agreement wherein one
bind himself to the performance of some engagement or
obligation.
The Police Officer’s Pledge
• I will love and serve God, my country and people.
• I will uphold the Constitution and obey legal orders
of duly constituted authorities.
• I will oblige myself to maintain high standard of
morality.
• I will respect the customs and traditions of the
police service.
• I will live a decent and virtuous Life to serve as an
example
The Police Officer Creed
I believe in God, the supreme being a great
provider, the creator of all men and
everything dear to me.
I believe that respect of authority is a duty
I believe in selfless love and service to
people
I believe in the sanctity of marriage and the
respect for women
I believe in responsible dominion and
stewardship over material things.
The Police Officer’s Creed
• I believe in God, the Supreme Being and Great provider, the Creator of all men
and everything dear to me. In return, I can do less than love Him above all, seek
His guidance in the performance of my duties and honor Him at all times.
• I believe that respect for authority is a duty
• I believe and uphold the Constitution, the laws of the land and the applicable
rules and regulations.
• I recognize the legitimacy and authority of the leadership, and follow and obey
legal orders of my superior officers.
• I believe in selfless love and service to people.
• Toward this end, I commit myself to the service of my fellowmen over and above
my personal convenience.
• I believe in the sanctity of marriage and the respect for women.
• I shall set the example of decency and morality.
• I shall have high regard for family life and chastity.
• I believe in responsible dominion and stewardship over material things.
• I shall inhibit myself from ostentatious display of my property.
• I shall protect the environment and conserve nature to maintain ecological
balance.
• I shall not intrigue, gossip or make unverified statement concerning personal
character of conduct, which will discredit another member of the police service.
The Police Code of Covenant
• I shall recognize and I will always be conscious of the fact that the
police service is an honorable calling, thus compelling me to set the
example by strictly adhering to the provision of the code of
professional conduct and ethical standards.
• I bind myself to promote and enhance the noble ideas and
aspirations of code of my personal and professional life and ensure
that its tenets shall be honored at all times.
• This is my personal covenant.
• Respect for Human Rights - In the performance of duty, PNP
members shall respect human dignity and uphold human rights of
all persons. Every police officer shall not inflict, investigate, or
tolerate extra judicial killing, arbitrary arrest, any act of torture or
other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment and Punishment. Every
members of the PNP shall not invoke superior order or exceptional
circumstances such as state of war, a threat to national security,
internal political instability or any committing such human rights.
• Devotion to Duty - All PNP members shall perform their duties
with dedication, efficiency enthusiasm, determination and manifest
concerned for public welfare. He shall refrain from engaging in any
activity, which shall in conflict with their duties as Public servant. He
shall not reign sickness or injury or physical incapacity to avoid
performance of duty. He shall not leave his assigned jurisdiction of
official business, except by permission of his superior officer or
other competent authority, unless such permission is not practical as
in pursuit of a criminal, in which case a report must be made
immediately thereafter.
Continuation…
• Conservation of Natural Resources - All members of the PNP shall
help in the development and conservation of our natural resources for
ecological balance and posterity. The natural resources are considered
inalienable heritage of our people.
• Discipline - PNP policemen shall conduct themselves at all times in
keeping with the rules and regulation of the organization. All policemen
at all levels shall adhere to the eight tenets of discipline, which include
the following:
• Loyalty - PNP members must be loyal to the constitution and the police
service as manifested by their loyalty to the superior peers and
subordinates as well.
• Obedience to Superior - PNP members shall obey lawful orders and
to be courteous to superior officers and other appropriate authorities
within the chain of command. No members shall use abusive, insulting
or indecent language to another member.
• Command Responsibility - In accordance with the Doctrine of
Command Responsibility, immediate commanders shall be responsible
for the effective supervision, control and direction of their personnel. He
shall see to it that all government resource with laws and regulations
and safeguards against losses through illegal of improper disposition.
The Police Ethical Standards
• Morality - All PNP members shall adhere to high standards of
morality and decency and shall set good example for others to
follow.
• Judicious use of Authority - All PNP members shall be
permitted to apply for search warrant for any evidence of
assault against himself without reporting the case in writing to
his superior officer and Obtaining from his permission to apply
for such warrant.
• Justice - PNP members shall strive constantly to respect the
rights of other so that they can fulfill their duties and exercise
their rights as human beings, parents, children, workers,
leaders, of in other capacities and to see to ensure that others
do likewise.
• Humility All PNP members shall recognize the fact that they
are public servants and not the master of the people and
toward this end, they should perform their duties without
arrogance.
Continuation…
• Orderliness - All PNP shall follow logical procedure
in accomplishing task assigned to them to minimize
waste in the use of time, money and efforts.
• Perseverance - Once a decision is made all PNP
members shall take legitimate means to achieve
the goal even in the face of internal or external
difficulties, and despite of anything which might
weaken their resolve in the course of time.
• Integrity - PNP members shall not allow
themselves to be victims of corruption and
dishonest practices in accordance with the provision
of existing laws on corrupt practices.
Ethical Issues Affecting Police Service
• Police Image - The image of any organization affects the esprit
de corps, morale and welfare of members and sense of pride to
the organization. In view thereof, all members of the PNP should
conduct themselves in manner that would not place the PNP core
values in vain and possess the following virtue: Honor, Integrity,
Valor, Justice, Honesty, Humility, Charity, and Loyalty to the
service.
• Career Management the Key In Professionalism - The
improper implementation of career management greatly these
prejudice the personnel professionalization process as regards to
procurement, promotion, all assignment, placement, training
awards, and retirement.
To address this issue, and PNP shall formulate stringent policy
and strictly implement the human resources development system,
compatible to the equitable distribution of procurement, fair
promotion, rationalizes approach in assignment, skill
development, immediate grant of reward and award, decent living
upon retirement.
Continuation…
The result is inefficiency and lack of teamwork to the detriment of
organization. It behooves therefore on the PNP leadership to address
the situation. The civilian character requires the adherence to the rule
on merit and fitness system and to dissociate to the above process from
class orientation and factionalism.
Continuation…
• Police Lifestyle - The PNP shall endeavor to promote lifestyle for every
member of the organization that is acceptable and respectable in the
eyes of the public. Further, its members should set example to the
subordinate and follow good example from the superiors. Police officers
will behave in a manner that does not bring discredit to their agencies
or themselves.
A police officers character and conduct while off duty must always be
exemplary, thus maintaining a position of respect in the community, in
which he or she lives and serves. The officer’s personal behavior must
be beyond repute. They must be free from greed, corruption and
exploitation. The public expects a police officer to live a simple, yet
credible and dignified life.
• Delicadeza - In consonance with the requirements o honor and
integrity in the PNP, all members must have the moral courage to
sacrifice selfinterest in keeping with the timehonored principles of
delicadeza. All members shall promptly discharge all debts and legal
liabilities incurred by them.
• Political Patronage - All PNP members must inhibit themselves from
soliciting political patronage in matters pertaining to assignment,
awards, training and promotion.
Continuation…
Right to Life includes the right to live, free from social
damages against life or limb, or free from unjustified control.
The Right to Liberty includes the right to determine one’s
mode of life with due respect to the rights of others. Liberty,
so it is said, consists largely of freedom arbitrary physical
restrain. The liberty of abode and of changing the same within
the limits prescribed by law shall not be impaired except upon
the right to travel be impaired except in the interest of
national security, public safety or public health, as any
provided by law. The Right in Property includes the right to
acquire, hold, enjoy, possess and manage property or to
dispose the same accordingly as well as to devote the same to
legitimate use.
What is the Basis of Police Customs and Traditions?
• The PNP adopts the generally acceptable customs and traditions based on the
desirable practices of the police service. These shall serve as inspirations as the
PNP endeavors to attain its goals and objectives.
What do you Understand by Customs?
• Customs is established usage or social practices carried on by traditions that
have obtained the force of the law. Customs are accepted practices realized
through continued usage that takes the force and effects of the Common Law.
What do you Understand by Tradition?
• Traditions are bodies or beliefs, stories, customs effect of an unwritten law.
Traditions are inherited principles, standards and groups.
• Traditions are accumulated experiences and deeds passed on from generation
to generation both in memory and reality.
What is Courtesy?
• Courtesy is a manifestation or expression of consideration and respect for
others.
What is Ceremony?
• A ceremony is a formal acts established by customs or authority as proper to
special occasions.
What is Social Decorum?
• Social Decorum is a set of norms and standards practiced by members during
socials and other functions.
Police Customs and Traditions
The PNP adopts the generally acceptable customs and traditions base on the
desirable practices of the police. These shall serve as inspiration as the PNP
endeavor to attain its goals and objectives.
Police Customs
A. Custom on Courtesy
• Courtesy is a manifestation or expression of consideration and respect on
others.
1. Salute – It is the usual greeting rendered by uniformed
members upon and recognizing person entitled to salute.
• Salute to National Color and Standards PNP members stand at attention
and salute the national color and standard as it pass by them or when
the national color is raised or lowered during ceremony.
2. Address/Title junior in rank address senior members
who are entitled to salute with the word “Sir”
3. Courtesy Calls The following are the customs on
courtesy calls:
Continuation…
3. Courtesy Calls The following are the customs on
courtesy calls:
• Courtesy call of newly assigned/ appointed members -PNP
members who are newly appointed or assigned in a unit or command,
call on the Chief of the Unit or command and to other key personnel for
accounting, orientation and other purposes.
• New year’s call - PNP members pay a new year’s call on their
commanders and /or key official in their respective areas of
responsibility.
• Promotion Call – Newly promoted PNP members call on their unit
head. On this occasion, they are usually given during recognition and
congratulations by their peers for such deserved accomplished
• Exit Call PNP members pays an exit call on their superiors in the unit
or command when relieve or reassigned out of the said unit or
command.
4. Courtesy of the Post - The host unit extend hospitality to
visiting personnel who pay respect to the command or unit.
5. Rank has – its – own Privilege - PNP members recognize
the practice that different rank carry with them
corresponding privilege.
Custom on Ceremonies
Ceremony is a formal act or set of formal acts established by custom or
authority as proper to special occasion.
• As earlier discussed, the police is created by the people for the
protection of the people at large against all forms of criminality
and public disturbances and every police work is governed by
the laws that the people promulgated through the legislative
body of the government. In the performance of duty,
oftentimes a police officer is confronted by complex problems
brought about by the varied cultures and practices of the
people in the community. Since a police officer is dealing with
humans, he should have interest in human life. Hence, he is
obliged to build up positive relations or rapport towards the
people he serves. However, as generally accepted, building up
good relationship is a continuing process which requires mutual
respect and mutual exchange and cannot be
compartmentalized or divided if it is to be effective.
1. Public Information Program – This is designed to bridge
any communication gap between the police and public.
This is the basic among the first four programs of community
relation.
• Public Information Program – This is designed to bridge
any communication gap between the police and public. This
is the basic among the first four programs of community
relation.
a. Duties of Public Information Officers:
• He must be kept wellinformed so that he will understand
and appreciate the complexities of police work and the
good service the police render to the community.
• He must be informed that the greatest number of the
police in the community shall benefit as much as possible,
by using mass and personal media.
1.
b. Activities Implemented by Public Information Officer:
• Conduct of barangay tanod seminars
• Inform the barangay officials regarding trends and other police
community problems
• Police station commanders assign a place in police station for barangay
leaders so that they can work together and provide coordination.
• Produce and distribute brochures, advising the people on how to protect
themselves in their homes and premises.
• Conduct environment sanitation seminars
• Conduct troop information or educational and historical lectures in all
units’ offices of police district.
• Police officers deliver Lectures and Public appearance to hear civic group
and civic organizations.
• Discuss with high school students and parents and or teachers
association about drug abuse prevention control.
• Conduct cleanliness, saturation or information drive where notices of
such deficiencies are issued.
• Establish police counseling centers in zones/barangays to provide advice
to barangay leaders on crime prevention and control.
2. Public Relation Program – This is designed to maintain
harmony and mutual support between the police and the community.
• Duties of Public Relation Officers – he shall:
– Regularly issue press releases concerning police
activities which are of public concern.
– Evolve and conduct public rotation program to
promote better and closer relations between the
police and the community.
– Build good image through actual commendable
performance, without inefficiency and corruption.
– Evaluate public opinion and attitude with respect to
the policies methods, personnel of the police station.
– Plan and carry out programs aimed at keeping the
public informed on police activities.
2. Public Relation Program – This is designed to maintain
harmony and mutual support between the police and the community.
• Activities Implemented by Public Relations Officers:
– Conduct facetoface communications including dialogue
with the public.
– Attend social cultural activities of the barangay, such as
birthdays, weddings baptismal parties, wake and others.
– Attend multisectoral “ugnayans,” which include religious
sects, school, barangays civic organization and
governmental agencies.
– Sending letters of appreciation to citizen whom assists the
police in their work.
– Conduct first aid and traffic safety education.
– Promotion of manpower development for out of school
youth.
– Sponsorship of youth athletic activities.
– Assist immediate in settling dispute at barangay level.
3. Civic Action Program This is designed to maintain and
encourage community development
• Duties of a Civic Action Officer – he shall:
– Encourage and actively participate in athletic competitive in
promote youth development by wisely coordinating with the
social elements of the populace.
– Initiate if necessary, fund raising campaigns for juvenile
delinquents, who are being reformed.
– Be alert to safeguard the community against loss and
damages on properties and possible death, in the events of
calamity.
– Render all possible assistance, especially to the men folk in
enabling them obtain the means of productive endeavors and
discourage them from loitering in the street, or engaging
uneconomic activities such as illegal gambling and others.
– Whenever feasible, he shall promote and actively participate
in the establishment of free medical and dental civic action
with special attention to the community.
3. Civic Action Program This is designed to maintain and
encourage community development
• Activities Implemented by a Civic Action Officer:
– Assist National Red Cross on blood donation campaign
by exerting extra effort in appealing to barangay
officials.
– Conduct free medical and dental civic action
community.
– Conduct free deworming of affected children in
depressed areas.
– Assist citizens in case of transportation strike and
other similar cause.
– Develop and maintain cleanliness and beautification of
surroundings.
– Attend to backyard gardening, tree planting projects.
4. Psychological Program This is designed to condition both friendly and
hostile public thereby insuring and facilitating the attainment of police
objectives. This program is designed to influence the opinions, emotions
attitude and behavior of the community so that they will behave in a manner
beneficial to the police, either directly or indirectly. It will condition the citiz
to adhere to the laws of the land and dissuade them in committing crime.
These may be in spoken, written, pictorial or musical form.
• Duties of Psychological Operation Officers – he shall:
– Strive to mold the youth into useful and law abiding citizens, thereby
minimizing their chances to engage in the criminal activities and
preventing them from being influenced by the misguided elements of
society.
– Be adequately prepared to articulate on the gains achieved by the
government in formal or informal gatherings so that they can develop
unity and cooperation among people and neutralize any smear campaign
being wage by the elements hostile to our government.
– Develop an attitude of deep concern for the individuals in his area of
operation instead of being indifferent to their problems.
– Be instrumental in the development of civic mindedness among the
criminal offenders under his custody by providing examples why crime
does not pay.
4. Psychological Program
• Activities Implemented by Psychological
Operation Officer:
– Conduct seminars for barangay officials, police
civic relation officers, and school officials to
enable them to understand home defense
activities.
– Promote seminars among barangay leaders
regarding community relation activities.
– Identify incomegenerating projects/activities.
What is Police Information and Education?
• Community Assistance and Development – these are
under taken upon the initiative of the police unit or
personnel for the purpose of enhancing life as a means of
drawing the support, appreciation and support of the public
to wards the police organization.
Examples are:
– Skills, Livelihood, and Cooperative Development.
– Sports and SocioCultural development.
– Medical, and Dental Outreach Services.
– Tree Planting.
What does it mean by Police Community Affairs?
• Intensified information drive on pre disaster preparedness;
• Support information drive on how to get government assistance when
affected by calamity or disaster; and
• Unrelenting effort to brighten up the physical appearance of the police
facilities and vehicle. Sprucing (make neat and tidy) up of all police
station or offices to create a public friendly atmosphere therein and the
exercise of proper care.
Feedback and Evaluation System – One method of determining
whether individual police officers are performing their tasks well is through
feedback and evaluation which considers the following:
• Unit Visitation involves the conduct of scheduled and run scheduled
visits to check performance, appearance, and behavior of police
personnel and the state of police facilities and vehicles.
• Surveys – involves the conduct of random surveys by the PR (public
relation) or private agencies to determine the public perception of a
particular police unit or office.
• Records – involves the submission and analysis of periodic reports and
special reports by police units as required.
• Interviews – involves the conduct of casual and or structured
interviews of selected individuals who can provide insight on the current
state of police community relation.
• Media Analysis involves the monitoring of reports, stories
commentaries printed or aired by mass media practitioners to determine
perception of individuals who are considered as effective molders of
public opinion.
What are the Effects or Impacts of Poor PCR to the Public?
Poor PCR programs cause the public:
• not to report the occurrence of crime;
• not to come forward and provide information;
• not to assist in apprehension of criminals;
• not to be supportive of police activities;
• not to testify in court voluntarily; and
• to even aid the criminals.
Poor Police Community Relation makes the police to:
• become less judicious and less discreet;
• be reluctant to act on some matters needing police action;
• induce unnecessary use of force;
• induce verbal abuse;
• induce improper practices;
• feel isolated and unhappy in his community; and
• diminish his sense of fulfillment
Why Public Support is needed?
• Public support is needed to make it easier for the police to accomplish
their task successfully.
PUBLIC RELATION
This is a program designed to make the public aware of what the agency is
doing, why is it doing, and how it contributes to the welfare of the community.
What are the Types of Public Relation?
• Public Awareness Programs familiarizing the public with the true nature of
police operations. This includes:
– Mobile Vans Variety of displays and exhibits of police equipment, which
help to explain to the public, what the police do and how they do it.
– Displays and Exhibits Set up in department stores, shopping centers, and
other public locations are popular ways in which the police can bring their
messages to the public.
– Informative Materials Distribution of pamphlets or brochures designed to
explain their services to the public.
– Open House Public tours of facility conducted during certain times of the
year such as police week, or law observance week.
– Public Speakers Providing speakers for various types of public gatherings
such as civic clubs, businessmen, associations and social groups.
– Ride Along Permits number of the community, to ride in a police car with
an officer and observed field operations.
PUBLIC RELATION
This is a program designed to make the public aware of what the agency is
doing, why is it doing, and how it contributes to the welfare of the community.
What are the Types of Public Relation?
• Informational Programs providing the public with information which is directly
related to the interest and needs of the community. This includes:
– New Arrivals Making some members of the community feel at home in their new
surroundings.
– Traffic Advisory Reports Coordinate with the media in announcing important
traffic matters such as road accidents, highway construction and traffic congestion.
– Informational Bureaus Information about such things as renewal of drivers
license, payments of utility bills, availability of legal services and other items.
– Informational Brochures Provide the public with booklets, pamphlets, and other
types of publications, which contain information of community interest.
• Image Building Programs promoting programs which are designated to create a
more favorable public image of the police. This can be achieved through:
1. Citizens awards
2. Police Color Guard
3. Police Citizens Luncheons
4. Operational Handshake
5. Recruit Visitation Programs
6. Community Events
7. Gifts Packages
What are the duties of the Public Relations Officer?
• To evaluate public opinion and attitudes with respect to the policies,
methods, and personnel of the police station.
• To advice the police station commander with regard to the public
relations aspects of new or revised department programs, policies,
procedures and activities.
• To plan and to carry out programs aimed at keeping the public informed
on police activities
• To provide staff supervision of all police activities that may influence
public support.
Foundation of Public Relations - They are basically founded on the
GOLDEN RULE: “Do not do onto others what you do not want others
unto you.” In addition, public relations are founded on the following:
• Give before you seek to get
• Give what is due to others.
• See the other person’s side
• Respect, so you would be respected.
INDIVIDUAL PUBLIC RELATIONS
As individuals, police officers shall also develop personal relationship with
the public which is divided into the following categories:
1. Domestic Relations - This consist of a person’s dealing with his
family, parents and immediate relatives, with whom he has to have
good relationship in order to develop a respectable family prestige as
well as cordial community relations.
2. Neighborhood Relations - This consist of a person’s dealing with
neighbor who constitute a vital link to good reputation in the community
3. Community Relations - This is made up of a person’s dealing with
the citizens of the community, city or town where a person likes. These
also include his membership or contributions to civil undertakings and
his membership or contribution to the civic organization or community
associations in the locality.
4. Church Relation - This consists of a person’s dealing with religious
affiliation that is necessary for the stability of moral principles.
5. Government Relations - This is made up of the dealings, which a
person has with the government and its various instrumentalities. The
recognition of government authorities, its laws and ordinance, as well as
other public responsibilities, are significant phases of an individuals
public relations.
PROFESSIONAL PUBLIC RELATION
In the practice of his profession, a police officer shall observe a
professional conduct which is divided into the following categories:
• Inter-Departmental Relation - This is made up of the peace officers
relations with the officers and men of his own department, his supervisor, the
station commander, as well as the city/municipal mayor where he is assigned.
• Citizen’s Relation - This includes all dealings or contact with the citizens in
relations to the enforcement of the law and the maintenance of peace and
order, together with the giving of information to the public on criminal and non
criminal activities.
• Complainant Relations - This includes how officer deals with complainants,
the techniques of interview he uses, the manner of approach he adopts, and the
treatment of witnesses and informers.
• Relations with Accused Persons - This covers the proper treatment of
suspects, the recognition of their constitutional rights during custodial
investigation and the handling of accused persons during confinement.
• Relations with Prosecutor - This includes a police officer’s duty to cooperate
during preliminary investigations and the gathering of further pieces of evidence
once the fiscal files the case.
• Judicial Relations - This consists of the peace officer’s duties toward the
courts when appearing as a witness and the honesty of his testimony.
The Peace Officer’s Professional Public Relation
The peace officer’s professional public relations are divided into
eight categories, namely:
• 1. Intra- Departmental Relations
This is made up of the peace officer’s relations with the officers
and men of his own department, his superiors, the station commander,
as well as the city/municipal mayor where he is assigned.
• 2. Inter- Departmental Relations
Relations with other police agencies are evident in his cooperation
and dealings with the Philippine National Police and other law
enforcement agencies of the government.
• 3. Citizens’ Relations
This includes all dealings or contacts with the citizens in relation to
the enforcement of the law and the maintenance of peace and order,
together with the giving of information to the public on criminal and non
criminal activities.
• 4. Complaint Relations
This includes how an officer deals with complaints, the techniques
of interview he uses, the manner of approach he adopts, the treatment
of witnesses as well as informers.
The Peace Officer’s Professional Public Relation
The peace officer’s professional public relations are divided into
eight categories, namely:
• 5. Relations with Accused Persons
This covers the proper treatment of suspects, the recognition of
their constitutional rights during custodial investigation and the handling
of the accused persons during confinement.
• 6. Relations with State Prosecutors or Fiscals
This includes a police officer’s duty to cooperate during preliminary
investigations and the gathering of further evidence once the case is
filed by the fiscal.
• 7. Judicial Relations
This consists of the peace officer’s duties toward the courts when
appearing as a witness and the honesty of his testimony.
• 8. Institutional Public Relation
Dealings with the institution or organization.
DEALING WITH COMPLAINANTS – Police officers when dealing with
complainants shall observe the following:
• Receiving Complaints - When a citizen calls at the police station or
approaches a policeman on the streets to make a complaint, he should be
accorded a suitable reception. The police office must adopt an attractive
manner; his attitude alert, his face and voice pleasant, and he must appear
interested in the subject at hand. Timid citizens often dread police officers;
they should make great effort to place these timid citizens at ease.
• Shall maintain an attitude of enthusiasm, dedication, zeal and pride in his work.
• Shall be tactful in his dealing with people of the community.
• Shall be firm and unyielding but not officious in dealing with people.
• Shall be serious and purposeful but not officious in dealing with people.
• Shall genuinely be interested to his task.
• Shall avoid unwarranted practice or situation that will endanger him.
• Shall be patient when the situation demands.
Police Moral and Esprit de Corps
• The police build their reputation upon favorable community relationship and
express by community confidence and the continued constructive
accomplishment is only possible when the internal strength of the organization is
assure.
• When the members of the police organization show pride of belongingness to
their organization (or esprit de corps) consequently, their morale is high. It
follows also that they manifest genuine loyalty and noble faith in the policies and
objective of their organization.
Exemplary Conduct
• Exemplary conduct or conduct worthy of emulation is another way of
maintaining public trust especially so that the community demands more than
the ordinary acts. A police as a public officer loses his private life because
whether he is on or off duty, he will be under unrelenting scrutiny and critical
analysis by the community.
• The police by reason of their specific responsibilities are bound to more exacting
code that any other public servant. Delinquents in conduct that pass
unchallenged when committed by other public officials are acts that are
accepted as common place in judging the conduct of the citizens but are
adjudged as reprehensible when committed by policeman.
Police Officer’s Compassion and Understanding
• In the performance of his duty, a police officer looks no
requirements. He should fairly serve regardless of the personality of the
person whom he deals with. Further, even the seriousness of the
problem should not be a factor whether to serve or not to serve.
Sometimes, a person with personal problems approaches police officers.
And in dealing with personal problems, it is imperative that matters of
such of vital personal importance be approached with understanding,
compassion and magnanimity
Police Influence over the Community
• The community looks upon policeman as representative of the
authority of law. It is obvious therefore, that influence of the policeman
over the community is increased by reason of the authority they
personify. People under stress or influence of excitement are more
susceptible to the influence of external stimuli than they would be under
normal circumstances. They are likely to be more readily influenced by
the action of those with whom they come into contact. Policeman must
be careful that the influence of their authority does not become
oppressive in their relationship with the community particularly in
situations of stress and excitement.
Police Practice of Courtesy
• Practicing courtesy involves much more than friendliness. To appreciate sincerity and
habitually performed acts of courtesy requires cultivation of appearance, voice, manner,
intelligence humor, temperament and unselfishness that are easily appreciated by the
people. All of these factors comingle in the production of a gentleman in principle and in
conduct. Compassionate but firm and earnestly interested without being over solicitous.
Irregardless of the nature of the task, a policeman must continually practice courtesy; they
cannot be made as an exception. Disagreeable duties must be performed willingly and
unpleasant orders obeyed cheerfully. Flares of temper, sarcastic criticism and moodiness
have no place in the conduct of a good policeman.
Moral Ascendancy
• Moral ascendancy is the influence that oneperson exercise over a group of persons by
reason of exemplary nature of his character. It arises out of withstanding the hardship and
difficulty of the work, sincerity of purpose that manifest in willingness to personally adhere
without equivocation, and to the same standards of conduct that he is duty bound to
enforce upon other. Policemen are particularly vulnerable to community criticism, for
lack of this quality, they must be able to control their emotion, temper, their likes and
dislikes, physically able to withstand hardship without complaint, and able to effectively
conceal their worries.
• Moral ascendancy is not important in evaluating the effectiveness of commanding officer in
the police service. The moral force or lack of it in commanding officer is reflected in the
very character of policemen under their control, and obviously become an important
influence in the community appraisal of police service.
Dependability and Punctuality
• The public has the right to demand the same guarantees in the manner of its
safety as all exacts for the protection of public health. The public is concerned
with emergency situations that require immediate attention and effective
treatment. Police service if it is to be of any value must be dependable. The
policeman should be able to serve at the right place at the right time. All the
skills and abilities that policemen possess are of little value unless he can defend
upon to apply his skill at the proper time. Punctuality is not only important in
relationship with the public but it is also essential in routine activities as well.
The rendition of report, appearance in court and cooperation with colleagues
and other law enforcement agencies are responsibilities that can be relied upon
if properly implemented.
• Policeman shall accept their responsibilities to the public by being punctual in
their engagements and expeditions in the performance of their duties. Thus he
must:
1. Promptly carry out every duty to which he is assigned.
2. Be punctual, attentive, accurate and unselfish
3. Accept the fact that punctuality involves more than reporting to work at
time; it involves every detail of the policeman’s daily activities.
Attitude in Trial Court
• Aside from proper attire, police officers when attending
court sessions in whatever capacity should also observe the
following behavior while in the witness stand:
• He must say nothing but the truth.
• He must be calm.
• He must be prepared.
• He must be courteous.
• He must be natural and straightforward.
• He must maintain his temper.
• He must be attentive to the questions to be hurled or asked.
• He must speak loudly enough to be heard.
• He must be conscious of his personal appearances.
Appearing as a Witness
• Witness in Criminal Case – A policeman shall, when
subpoenaed as a witness in a criminal case, promptly notify
their immediate chiefs. No members of the PNP shall be a
witness in such capacity without the service of a proper
subpoena.
• Witness in Civil Case No member of the PNP shall
testify in civil cases unless summoned to do so by proper
authority.
• Action After Court Attendance A member of the PNP
attending any court session under subpoena/summon or
other processes as a witness, shall after having been
released there from for the day, immediately report to their
superior officer.
POLICE APPEARANCE AND THE COMMUNITY
Police Personal Appearance
A police officer’s personal appearance speaks well of his department. To
ensure positive opinion to his department or organization, he should observe the
following:
• He shall be properly attired and equipped whenever he appears before the
public.
• He carries with him only the prescribed regulation weapons and other related
items.
• He shall dress moderately and of good taste if and when they must wear civilian
clothes.
• He must maintain good posture and grooming.
• He must see to it that his uniform is clean and properly maintained.
• The policemen must not only avoid evil, he must also avoid the appearance of
evil. Thus:
•
•
He should be careful to avoid questionable associates and to spend spare time
and obtained his recreation in the company of those whose character and
reputation are irreproachable.
• He must avoid controversial questions, those dealing with religion, politics and
the laws.
• He must avoid domestic difficulties more assiduously than the average citizen.
• He must abstain from drinking intoxication beverage to excess.
• He shall not engage in any form of gambling except those allowed by law:
• He should avoid entering any house reported as being of illrepute and other
vice dens.
• He shall not buy nor use or process smuggled products.
• He shall avoid accepting any fees, rewards or gifts of any type, for any service
rendered in the performance of his duty other than his authorized salary or shall
use his position for material consideration.
• He should avoid “bad habits” celebrating Christmas, New Year and other
occasion by firing their guns.
POLICE HEADQUARTERS AND THE COMMUNITY
It was mentioned that the appearances of a police station/headquarters
influence the attitude of both the police and the community. This can be
further attained by the observance of the following guidelines.
• 2. A Man Who Risk Life and Limb
A police officer is a man. If he were not a man, he would lack the
courage to risk his life and limb in pursuit of the speeding demon that
makes a death trap of the public highway. If he were not a man, he
could not face the gunfire, which every police officer knows from
common experience that he may possibly encounter on any patrol or in
any criminal case. If he were not a man, he would not be eternally on
duty in the streets, in wind and rain and in the dead of the night when
men of lesser resolution seek shoulder from the elements. In short, if he
is not a man, he is not long a police officer.
The Paradox of thee Law Enforcement Officer
• 3. Police Officer Must Know Constitutional Law
A police officer is now a constitutional lawyer in some of
the most sensitive areas of the law. Decisions on the
constitution, handed down by the Supreme Court during the
recent years, require that the police officer should not make
an arrest until he has established that probable cause
exists. They require he does not search and seize except in
a manner, which the courts deem reasonable under the law.
They require that he not interrogate his prisoner for
evidence of guilt until he has complied with the stringent
restriction of the constitution against selfincrimination. His
principal acts in each of these functions arrests, search and
interrogation requires that he pass judgment on questions
of constitutional laws. The identical legal questions which
the most capable lawyer may raise as high as the Supreme
Court for ultimate decision.
The Paradox of thee Law Enforcement Officer
• 4. Police Officer Must Be Honest and Incorruptible
A police officer is a man of whom we demand the ultimate in
human dignity. Like Caesar’s wife, he must not only above sin but
also above the suspicion of sin. In a society in which the
complimentary lunch often leads to a safe, a contract, or a favor
to policeman must buy his own less he be compromise in his
official duty. In the society in which the hoodlums who dominate
organized crime may wear silk suits, drive the finest automobiles,
occupy mansions, and become millionaires, the policeman must
cling to his ideals, make out a living in a modest wage, and tell
the children on his beat that “crime does not pay”. In a society in
which public and private morals frequently are often to questions,
a report that a policeman is “on the take” is always first rate
scandal in a society in which the policeman often is the target of
unprintable obscenity, It is expected to address the rest of us
with the utmost gentility. We demand that he be single standard
gentleman in what sometimes appears to be a double standard
society.
The End
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