The IACP adopted the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics at the 64th Annual IACP Conference and Exposition in October 1957. The Code of Ethics stands as a preface to the mission and commitment law enforcement agencies make to the public they serve.
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.
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.
Law Enforcement Officers
H.R. 218, the “Law Enforcement Officers’ Safety Act” and S. 1132, the “Law Enforcement Officers’ Safety Act Improvements Act”and H.R. 4310, the “National Defense Authorization Act” Qualified law enforcement officers employed by or retired from a local, State or Federal law enforcement agency. A “qualified active law enforcement officer” is defined as an employee of a government agency who: Is authorized by law to engage in or supervise the prevention, detection, investigation, prosecution or the incarceration of any person for any violation of law; Has statutory powers of arrest or apprehension under the Uniform Code of Military Justice; Is authorized by the agency to carry a firearm; Is not the subject of any disciplinary action by the agency which could result in suspension or loss of police powers; Meets the standards, if any, established by the agency which require the employee to regularly qualify in the use of a firearm; Is not under the influence of alcohol or another intoxicating or hallucinatory drug or substance, and Is not prohibited by Federal law from possessing a firearm. The law also defines law enforcement officers employed by the Amtrak Police Department and the Federal Reserve Police Department to be “qualified active law enforcement officers” even though these are not employees of a governmental agency. Further, any “law enforcement or police officer of the executive branch of the Federal Government” is also included in the definition. The most recent amendment to LEOSA further clarifies that law enforcement officers employed by the U.S. Department of Defense who may not be deemed as having “statutory powers of arrest,” but who did have the authority, under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), to apprehend suspects, meet the definition of “qualified law enforcement officer.” Qualified active law enforcement officers must carry the photographic identification issued by the agency for which they are employed. If you are an active duty law enforcement officer with any local, State or Federal governmental agency and you meet all of the requirements above, you may carry a concealed firearm under the provisions set out in the law. |
Law enforcement officer (Wikipedia)
Public-sector employee whose duties primarily involve the enforcement of laws A law enforcement officer (LEO), or peace officer in North American English, is a public-sector employee whose duties primarily involve the enforcement of laws. The phrase can include police officers, municipal law enforcement officers, special police officers, customs officers, state troopers, special agents, secret agents, special investigators, border patrol officers, immigration officers, court officers, probation officers, parole officers, arson investigators, auxiliary officers, game wardens, sheriffs, constables, corrections, marshals, deputies, detention officers, correction officers, and public safety officers. Security guards are civilians and therefore not law enforcement officers, unless they have been granted powers to enforce particular laws, such as those accredited under a community safety accreditation scheme such as a security police officer. A law enforcement officer is a government employee who is responsible for the prevention, investigation, apprehension, or detention of individuals suspected or convicted of offenses against the criminal laws, including an employee engaged in this activity who is transferred to a supervisory or administrative position; or serving as a probation or pretrial services officer. Federal law enforcement agents have duties similar to those of local police officers. These agents enforce the law, investigate crimes, preserve evidence, write reports for government prosecutors, apprehend fugitives, and testify in court. However, federal agents deal with specialized types of federal crimes throughout the United States. A law enforcement officer's primary responsibility is to protect lives and property. All of their tasks relate back to this one responsibility. There are a wide variety of types of law enforcement officers and organizations. Duties are performed based on the type of officer and organization. In almost all situations, law enforcement officers are expected to fulfill their responsibilities whether on or off duty. |
Law Enforcement Officers (Unknown)
Law enforcement officers' duties depend on the type of officer and the organization in which they work. Law enforcement officer types include:
“Peace Officer” may be used. While the term can vary from state to state it usually means a position that carries a badge, has the power to arrest, and also carries a firearm. A police officer, deputy sheriff, state trooper, and special agent all have the similarity of being peace officer positions. There is also the term “Sworn” which generally means sworn in as a peace officer. Federal law enforcement positions get their authority from federal law. However, many federal law enforcement positions are also recognized as peace officers under state law which gives the authority to enforcement state and local laws. When determining your law enforcement career path it is helpful to have an idea as to if you want to apply for sworn or non sworn positions. |