NCJ Number: 198313
Title: Ethics and Law Enforcement
Journal: FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Volume:71 Issue:12 Dated:December 2002 Pages:11-14
Author(s): J. Kevin Grant
Date Published: December 2002
Page Count: 4
Sponsoring Agency: NCJRS Photocopy Services
Sale Source: NCJRS Photocopy Services
Document: HTML
Type: Issue Overview
Format: Article
Language: English
Country: United States of America
Annotation: This article discusses the rationale for, the content of, and the enforcement of the police code of conduct and the law enforcement
code of ethics.
Abstract: Because law enforcement is a profession, ethics and ethical
conduct play an important role. The International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) established a code of ethics to govern the conduct of its members. This code of ethics, originally written in 1957, was revised at the IACP conference in
Louisville, Kentucky, on October 17, 1989. In October 1991, IACP
members unanimously voted to adopt the new code. The law enforcement code of ethics is used as an oath of office during the graduation ceremony for many law enforcement personnel. The code of ethics states that the officer's fundamental duties are to serve the community; safeguard lives and property; protect the innocent against deception, the weak against oppression or intimidation, and the peaceful against violence or disorder; and respect the constitutional rights of all to liberty, equality, and justice. The code of ethics also states that officers must keep their private lives unsullied and recognize the badge as a symbol of public faith and trust. The police code of conduct works in conjunction with the law enforcement code of ethics. The code of conduct consists of ethical mandates law enforcement
officers use to perform their duties. These guidelines include
acting impartially; exercising discretion; using only necessary
force; and maintaining confidentiality, integrity, and a
professional image at all times. These ethical statements, along
with appropriate training and strong leadership, encourage law
enforcement officers to become members of an ethical profession.
One section of this article notes corruption to be one ethical
issue facing police officers. Characteristics of police
corruption are listed, and four methods are suggested for
controlling corruption in law enforcement agencies, including
strong leadership, changes in the selection and socialization of
new officers, changes in departmental organization and
operations, and changes in the environment in which the
department works. 16 notes
Main Term(s): Police corruption
Index Term(s): Police policies and procedures; Police professionalism; Police responsibilities; Professional conduct and ethics; Professional misconduct
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