III.

POLICING AS A PROFESSION

Criteria of Profession
1. An organized body of theoretically grounded knowledge
2. Advanced study
3. A code of ethics
4. Prestige
5. Standards of admission
6. A professional association
7. A service ideal

Sir Robert Peel’s Principles of Policing (1829)

1. The police must be stable, efficient, and organized along
military lines.
2. The police must be under government control.
3. The absence of crime will best prove the efficiency of the
police.
4. The distribution of crime news is essential.
5. The deployment of police strength both by time and area is
essential.
6. No quality is more indispensable to a policeman than a perfect
command of temper; a quiet determined manner has more effect than
violent action.
7. Good appearance commands respect.
8. The securing and training of proper persons is at the root of
efficiency.
9. Public security demands that every police be given a number.
10. Police headquarters should be centrally located and easily
accessible to the people.
11. Use of force when persuasion is insufficient
12. Police records are necessary to the correct distribution of
police strength.

Features of Police Role Common to Other Profession

1. Power- force or capacity to gain compliance.
2. Discretion-latitude of freedom to make decisions.
3. Working with people- those who support to achieve goals; those
who are antagonistic toward the goal; those who are indifferent; those
who fear.
4. Public Relations- creating of a favorable public image of
oneself and the organization for which one works.

Qualities of a Successful Police Officer

1. Motivation for a police officer
2. Normal assertiveness
 3. Emotional stability under stress
4. Sensitivity toward minority groups and social deviates
5. Collaborative leadership skills
6. Mature relationship to social authority
7. Integrity and honesty
9. Active and outgoing
10. Initiative, and can carry heavy responsibilities and handle
emergencies alone
11. Social skills and ability to communicate effectively with
persons of various cultural, economic, and ethnic backgrounds
12. Mental capacity to learn a wide variety of subjects quickly
and correctly
13. Ability to adapt thinking to technological and social changes
14. Understanding of other human beings and the desire to help
those in need.
15. Emotional maturity to remain calm and objective and provide
leadership in emotionally charged situations.
16. Physical strength and endurance to perform these exacting
duties.

Professional Police Principles

1. Prevention of crime and disorder
2. Community approval of police existence
3. Willing cooperation of the public
4. Public cooperation diminishes need to use force
5. Impartial service to the law
6. Use of force when persuasion is insufficient
7. The public are the police
8. Refrain from usurping the power of judiciary
9. The absence of crime and disorder

Other Police Principles

1. Test of law enforcement integrity
2. Constant development of police education and training
3. Stability of the Republic and the strength of democracy
4. Magnificent Principle: Love God; Honor the Government; and
Respect the People.
5. People-Peace maker, Police- Peacekeeper, LGU-Peace observer.

Canons of Police Ethics

  1. Primary Police Responsibility
2. Limitations of Police Authority
3. Duty to the Law and other Responsibilities
4. Use of Proper Means to Obtain Proper Ends
5. Cooperation with Public Officials
 6. Proper Conduct and Behavior
7. Conduct Towards the Community
8. Conduct in Arresting Law violators
9. Firmness in Refusing Gifts or Favor
10. Impartial presentation of Evidence
11. Attitude Towards Police Profession
 

The Law Enforcement Code of Ethics

  As a law enforcement officer, my fundamental duty is to

serve mankind; to safeguard life 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 right 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 in deed in my both personal and official life, I
will be the exemplary in obeying the laws of the land and regulations
of my organization. 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 decision. With
no compromise for crime and with relentless prosecution of criminal, 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 in return.

I recognize the badge of my office as a symbol of public faith

and I accept it as public trust to be held so long as I am true to
the ethics of the police service. I will never engage in the 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.