Whenever people unite to form a community, a nation, a religious body or a profession, they set down in writing those fundamental principles which will best guide them in their common effort. Examples of such written codes of personal and organizational conduct are the Ten Commandments, the U.S. Constitution, the state criminal codes and the Law Enforcement Officer's Code of Ethics. These documents are important not only for the guidance they offer, but also as a standard against which we measure our work and our attitude.

One of the essential factors which elevates a "job" to the level of a respected profession is the fact that the group (all those persons who perform the same occupational task) establishes its own Code of Conduct. Since 1956, law enforcement has possessed its own code, developed and disseminated by police practitioners. 

The Law Enforcement Code of Ethics is the guide for conduct expected of peace officers while on and off duty.  It is a 7 day-a-week, 24-hour a day commitment and one the police academy takes very seriously.  Cadets are presented with the Code of Ethics on Orientation Day.  They are told that from this point forward, cadets will be held to the standards of conduct described in the Code of Ethics.  Cadets are required to memorize the Code of Ethics by graduation.  Throughout the academy, the meaning of the Code is discussed with academy staff members all in preparation for the Core Values Competency Oral Board.  During the last three weeks of the academy, each cadet stands before an oral board.  They begin this test by reciting the Code of Ethics from memory and then answer a series of competency level questions that require cadets to demonstrate the ability to apply the concepts contained within the Code to real life situations.  This test insures that graduates know the contents and understand the meaning of this important document.

Law Enforcement Code of Ethics

AS A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER, my fundamental duty is to serve mankind; 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 men to liberty, equality and justice.

I WILL keep my private life unsullied as an example to all; 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 laws of the land 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, 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 as long as I am true to the ethics of the police service. I will constantly strive to achieve these objectives and ideals, dedicating myself before God to my chosen profession......Law Enforcement.