Chapter 3 – Personnel, Training, and Employee Relations

33030.3.3 Law Enforcement Code of Ethics

• Peace officers employed by the Department are held to a higher standard of conduct on and off duty, as specified in the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics and the peace officer oath. The Law Enforcement Code of Ethics is as follows:

  • 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 people to liberty, equality and justice.

  • I will keep my public and private life unsullied as an example to all and will behave in a manner that does not bring discredit to me or my Department. 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 in both my personal and official life. I will be exemplary in obeying the law and the regulations of my department.

  • I will never act officiously or permit personal feelings, prejudices, political beliefs, aspirations, animosities, organizational associations 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.

  • Confidential information received in my official capacity shall remain undisclosed unless disclosure is necessary in the performance of my duty. I will never engage in acts of corruption, bribery, insubordination or the obstruction of justice, nor will I condone such acts by other peace officers. I will immediately report acts of misconduct by staff of my department and 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 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 serving as a law enforcement officer. I will constantly strive to achieve these objectives and ideals, dedicating myself before all present to my chosen profession… law enforcement.