CAGAYAN STATE UNIVERSITY

College of Criminal Justice Education

CCJE Module Format for

CRIM 4 PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT & ETHICAL STANDARDS

Prepared by:

Author:

Hermilinda P. Orenze, MSCr.

Topic 1. Police Ethics

Introduction

“Bravery is not the absence of fear, but action (the mastery of it) in the face of
fear.” Attributed to 18th Century writer John Berridge

“To know the good is to do the good”

Socrates1
There will be many occasions when the officers’ ethics will be tested and it depends on the officers not to
let their own ethics to become weak throughout his career. Many officers become caught in situations in
which they have to make ethical decision to make and it again depends on the ethics of that officer
whether he or she is making the right decision or not. And this decision plays a vital role and has severe
impact on both of his official and personal life.

Intended Learning Objectives:

At the end of the topic, students should be able to:
Differentiate ethics from police ethics.
 Understand the concepts of canons of police ethics
Lesson 1 Definition of Ethics and Police Ethics

Definition

Ethics was derived from the Ancient Greek "ethikos", meaning "arising from habit". It is a major branch
of philosophy which focuses on the study of value or quality.

Ethics is an area of philosophy considered as a normative science; it is concerned with norms of human
conduct, as distinguished from the formal sciences, such as mathematics and logic, and the empirical
sciences, such as chemistry and physics.

Importance of Ethics

 1. Indispensable(absolutely necessary) knowledge.

 2. Without moral perception, man is only an animal.

 3.Without morality, man as rational being is a failure.

 Police Ethics refers to the practical science of human morality and duty as applied to law
enforcement. This centre on the study and application of ethics, virtue as well as the rules of
conduct to public service.

Difference of Ethics and Police Ethics

 Police ethics refers to a system of moral values that are generally accepted as professional

standards in policing. In policing, ethics includes values such as allegiance, honesty, loyalty and
courage. Basically, ethics is 'doing the right thing.

It is a must that public servants should behave and conduct his life in a manner that the respect,
confidence and faith of the people are not diminished.

The primary objective of police ethics is to enlighten our law enforcers of what behaviour is acceptable
based on the premise of what is permitted and what is prohibited.

➢ Since there is no right way to do a wrong thing. Some basic ethic-tests include asking oneself: Am I
doing the right thing? Is it lawful? Is it fair and balanced? And how will it make me feel about myself?

➢ Values are implicitly related to a degree of behavioural freedom or autonomy by human beings; values
steer or guide the person, on the basis of internally chosen options.

THE CANONS OF POLICE ETHICS

The following are the cannons of Police ethics:

 Primordial police responsibility

 Limitation of Police authority

 Knowledge of the law and other responsibilities

 Use of proper means to obtain proper ends.

  Cooperation with public officials

 Proper conduct and behavior

 Conduct toward the community

 Conduct in arresting law violators.

 Firmness in refusing gifts or favors.

 Impartial presentation of evidence

 Attitude toward police profession

Primordial Police Responsibility

 The primary objectives of Police is the prevention of crime, policeman knew too well that he has
committed his Life to defend and protect the rights of the citizen and uphold the law at all cost.

Limitation of Police Authority

The primary as an upholder of the law must know its limitation upon him in enforcing the law, thus:

 He must be aware of the limitations which the people, through law, have placed him

 He must recognize the center of the democratic system of government, which gives person, or
group of persons, absolute power.

 He must insure that he does not pervert its true character.

Knowledge of the Law and other Responsibility

 The policeman shall assiduously apply himself to the principles of the laws, which he is sworn to
applied.

 He will make certain of his responsibilities in the particular field of enforcement, seeking aid of
his superior in matters technically or in principles are not clear to him

 He shall make special effort to fully understand his relationship with law enforcement agencies,
particularly on matters of jurisdiction, both geographically and substantively.

Use of proper Means to Obtain Paper Ends

 The policeman shall be Mindful of his responsibility to have strict selection of methods in
discharging the duty of his office.

 Violation of law or public safety and property on the part of the officer are intrinsically wrong.
They are self-defeating if they instill in the public mind and a like disposition.
  The employment of Illegal methods, no matter how worthy the end, is certain to encourage
disrespect for the law and its officers, If the law is to be honored, it must first be honored by those
who enforce it.

Cooperation with Public Officials

 The policeman shall cooperate fully with other public officials in the performance or authorized
duties, regardless of party affiliation or personal prejudices.

 He shall be meticulous law, however, in assuring himself of property, under the law, such actions
and shall guard against the use of his office or person whether knowingly or in any improper or
illegal action.

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 pre-requisite.

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 law-abiding 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.

PNP ETHICS DAY

-celebrate yearly on 7 January

-started on 7 January 1995 and celebrated every year thereafter

Definition of Terms

➢ Moral character or character is an evaluation of a person's moral and mental qualities. Such an
evaluation is subjective — one person may evaluate someone's character on the basis of their virtue,
another may consider their fortitude, courage, loyalty, honesty, or piety.

➢ Prudence – Refers to the ability to govern and discipline oneself by means or logical reasoning and
sound discretion. It is a habit which inclines man to act in a way that harmonizes with nature (virtue),
which attracts the intellect to prefer the most effective means for accomplishing what is morally good and
avoid moral evils.

➢ Temperance – Refers to the ability to avoid something and act with moderation, regulating one’s
carnal appetite for sensual pleasures.
➢ Fortitude – Denotes firmness of mind, the courage to endure without yielding. It is a combination of
patience (calmness and composure), perseverance (the ability to continue despite of obstacles or
opposition) and endurance (the ability to survive).

➢ Justice – It refers to a virtue that inclines the will to give every person his/her accorded rights.

➢ Commutative justice – It regulates actions which involve the rights that exist among individuals,
violation of which calls for reparation and restitution.

➢ Distributive justice – Which standardizes those actions that have to do with the rights an individual,
may claim from society.

➢ Legal justice – It puts into order those actions which society may justly require of the individual for
the common good.

➢ Charity – Refers to kindness, compassion, altruism, humanity and goodwill. It is the obligation of
giving under certain conditions whatever assistance and aid which our fellowmen needs.

Other Definition of Terms

NEGLECTS OF DUTY OR NON-FEASANCE

-the omission or refusal, without sufficient excuse, to perform an act or 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 duty.

IRREGULARITIES IN THE PERFORMANCE OF DUTY OR MISFEASNCE

-the doing, either through ignorance, inattention or malice, of that which the officer had no legal right to
do at all, as where he acts without any authority whatsoever, or exceeds, ignores, or abuses his powers
-generally means wrongful, improper or unlawful conduct, motivated by premeditated, obstinate or
intentional purpose
-usually refers to transgressions of some established and definite rules of actions.

INCOMPETENCY
-the manifest lack of adequate ability and fitness for the satisfactory performance of police duties
-has references to any physical, moral or intellectual quality the lack of which substantially incapacitated
one perform his duties

OPPRESSION
-an act of cruelty, severity, unlawful exaction, domination, or excessive use of authority

DISLOYALTY TO THE GOVERNMENT

-consists of abandonment or renunciation of one’s loyalty to the Government of the Philippines, or
advocating the overthrow of the government

VIOLATION OF LAW
-presupposes conviction in court of any crime or offense penalized under the Revised Penal Code or any
special law or ordinance

GOVERNMENT
-includes the national government, the local governments, the government-owned and –controlled
corporations, and all other instrumentalities or agencies of the Republic of the Philippines

PUBLIC OFFICER
-includes elective and appointive officials and employees, permanent or temporary, whether in the
classified or unclassified or exempt service receiving compensation, from the government.

GRAFT
-the acquisition of gain or advantage by dishonest, unfair or sordid means, especially through the abuse of
one’s position or influence in politics or government

CORRUPTION
-an act done with an intent to give some advantage inconsistent with official duty and the rights of others.
-the state of making something or someone other than what is ideal.

BRIBERY
-the act of receiving gifts or presents or accepting offers and or promises in exchange for committing a
crime that relates to the exercise of the office which the public officer discharges.

DISHONESTY
-concealment or distortion of truth in matter of fact relevant to one’s office or connected with the
performance of his duties

COMMAND
-the authority a person lawfully exercises over subordinates by virtue of rank or assignment or position

RESPONSIBILITY
-the obligation to perform one’s duties and functions and his accountability for his actions

COMMAND RESPONSIBILITY
-the doctrine that imposes commensurate accountability to one who is vested with authority to exercise
management and/or leadership functions