_____________ County

Law Enforcement
Policy Policy Number:
ETHICS

Required Core Policy

Applicable State Statutes

Nebraska Accreditation Standards: O2.4

Date Implemented: Approved By:

PURPOSE
The purpose of this policy is to provide members of this agency with clearly articulated
expectations of their performance relative to employment with this agency. Law enforcement
officers are vested in public trust which requires that we consistently demonstrate the highest
degree of integrity, good moral character, knowledge, and trust.

POLICY
It is the policy of the _________________ County Sheriff Office, that personnel are granted a
public trust which requires that they consistently demonstrate the highest degree of integrity.
To be worthy of this public trust, and to ensure agency professionalism is above reproach,
members of this agency will conform to the standards of conduct embodied in the law
enforcement code of ethics.

Nebraska Law Enforcement Officer 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.

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 NIRMA (RCP) - ETHICS

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 law enforcement service. In furtherance of these
duties, I hereby adopt and accept the following code of conduct:

I shall conduct myself at all times in a manner that does not damage or have the likely result of
damaging or bringing the public image, integrity, or reputation of my agency or myself into
discredit or disrespect.

I shall not possess or consume alcoholic beverages on duty or while in uniform on duty or off
duty, except as expressly required for the lawful performance of my duties.

Nor shall I unlawfully possess, sell, consume, use or assist in the use of any illegal or
unauthorized drugs or medications on duty or off duty.

I shall not engage in any illegal or unlawful harassment or intimidation of another, nor shall I
permit personal prejudices, political beliefs, animosities, or friendships to influence my
decisions.

I shall not lie, give false testimony, give misleading information, or falsify written or verbal
communications in official reports or in my actions with another person or organization when it
is reasonable to expect that such information may be relied upon because of my position or
affiliation with my agency.

I shall willfully observe and obey the lawful verbal and written rules, duties, policies,
procedures, and practices of my agency.

I shall also subordinate my personal preferences and work priorities to the lawful, verbal, and
written rules, duties, policies, procedures, and practices of my agency.

I shall willfully perform all lawful duties and tasks assigned by supervisory and or superior-
ranked personnel. Direct, tacit, or constructive refusal to do so is insubordination.

I shall obey the constitutional, criminal, and civil laws of the city, county, state, and federal
government. I will never engage in acts of corruption or bribery, nor will I condone such acts by
other law enforcement officers.

DEFINITIONS

Ethical Standards: Are standards that represent the objectives toward which every peace
officer shall strive. Acceptable level of conduct for all peace officers, regardless of their rank or
nature of their assignment.

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 NIRMA (RCP) - ETHICS

PROCEDURE
1. Effective law enforcement actions depend on a high degree of cooperation between
the agency the public. Though an urgency of a situation might preclude ordinary
circumstances, every employee shall be courteous at all times.
2. All employees of the _____________ County Sheriff Office will take and abide by an
oath of office before assuming sworn status., The oath of office will be administered
by the Sheriff.
3. All employees of the _____________ County Sheriff Office will abide by the Nebraska
Law Enforcement Code of Ethics.
4. All employees of the _____________ County Sheriff Office will uphold the Constitution
of the United States, the State Constitution and all statues enacted or established
pursuant to legally constituted authority.
5. All employees of the ____________ County Sheriff Office shall be aware of the extent
and limitations of their authority in the enforcement of the law.
6. All employees of the _____________ County Sheriff Office shall be up to date on the
laws they enforce.
7. All employees of the ______________ County Sheriff Office shall respect and uphold
the dignity, human rights, and Constitutional rights of all persons.
8. Employees shall not use their agency or professional position, identification, or badge
for:
 Personal of financial gain.
 Obtaining privileges not otherwise available.
 To give or receive gifts, favors, gratuities, either which can easily be
interpreted as capable of influencing official acts or judgements.
 Avoiding consequences to illegal acts.
 Engage in an activity that would create a conflict of interest or would be in
violation of any law.
9. Employees shall not consume intoxicating beverages while on duty.
10. Employees shall not use any narcotics, hallucinogens, or any other controlled
substance except when legally prescribed.
11. Employees shall not participate in any incident involving moral turpitude.
12. Employees shall, at all times, conduct themselves in a manner that does not discredit
their profession or the agency.
13. Employees shall not be disrespectful, insolent, insubordinate in attitude or conduct.
14. Employees shall maintain a neutral position with regard to the merits of any labor
dispute, political protest or other public demonstration while acting in their official
capacity.
15. Employees shall not associate with criminal elements except in the discharge of their
official capacity.

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16. Employees shall consider their badge of office as a gateway to obtain special favors or
considerations.
17. Employees shall not undertake financial obligations which they know or reasonably
should have known they will be unable to meet and pay.
18. Employees shall be courteous and respectful in their official contacts with general
public, fellow officers, superiors, and subordinates.
19. Employees shall recognize that every person in our society is entitled to professional,
effective and efficient law enforcement services.
20. Employees shall conduct themselves in such a manner as to set exemplary standards
of performance for all law enforcement personnel.
Employee Responsibility

Employees must constantly exercise good judgment, initiative, and sound reasoning in all
official transactions; strive for efficiency and effectiveness, exercise restraint in difficult
situations, seek self-improvement through formal and informal training, and assist fellow
officers whenever possible. In situations where no written directive or supervisory guidance is
available, employees are expected to analyze the situation and react in accordance with the
mission statement and the core values of this agency.

As most law enforcement work is performed without close supervision, responsibility for
proper performance of duty lies primarily with the employee. An employee responsibility for
the safety of others and discharges that responsibility by faithful and diligent performance of
duty.

Training

_______________ County Sheriff Office will conduct annual in-service training on ethics.

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