POLICE ETHICS AND HUMAN

RELATION

ROGELIO C. PALANOG,JR
 Definition of Terms:
❖ Police ethics – it is the practical science that treats the principle
of human morality and duty as applied to law enforcement.
❖ Ethics – it is the normative science of the conduct of human
being living in the society.
❖ Virtue – it is a habit which inclines man to act in a way that
harmonizes with his nature.

❖ Moral virtue – it concerns those action that pertain to one’s

duties towards his neighbor and himself.

❖ Conscience – it is the voice of reason bidding oneself to

something right or avoid something wrong. If one always follows
conscience he shall never do wrong.

❖ Right – it is moral power to own, to use, or to exact something. It

❖ Command – it is the authority and power to lawfully exercise over the subordinates by
virtue of rank and assignment or position.

❖ Responsibility – it refers to obligation to perform duties and functions and to the

consequences of activities under one’s command.

❖ Command responsibility – it refers to the doctrine that imposes commensurate

accountability to one who is vested with authority to exercise management/leadership
functions.

❖ Maximum tolerance – refers to the conceptual policy laid down for observance of all
law enforcement personnel to exercise utmost restraint and self-control in their
performance of their official functions. In cases like: civil disturbance, confrontations,
demonstrations, strikes rallies, arrest, investigation and interrogation.

❖ Human rights – includes all rights enjoyed by individual as provided for under
Philippine Constitution, and other international instrument such as UN’s declaration of
Human Rights.

❖ Discipline – is the self-control or obedience.

Four Cardinal Virtues – serves as basis of formulating the behavior of a policeman:
•Prudence – is the one’s ability to govern and discipline oneself by means of
reason and sound judgment.

•Temperance – is one’s ability to moderate or to avoid something. It is a virtue

which regulated to carnal appetite for sensual pleasure.

•Fortitude – firmness of mind. It is the courage to endure without yielding.

Combinations of patience, perseverance, and endurance.

•Justice – it is a virtue that includes the will to give what is due to him or his due
right.

A virtue which incites courage:

1. Patience – calmness and composure in enduring something.

2. Perseverance – is the ability to go on in spite of obstacle or opposition.
3. Endurance – is the ability to last.
 Values, its impact to the organization and how they are
formed:

Values -are the concept and ideas within each of us that we deem important. It serves
as our guide that determines our behaviors and assists us in our decisions in life. They
help us decide right from wrong and help us define who we are and what we stand for.
It originates from our families, traditions, religion, elders, and friends.

The good value systems for the PNP are the following:

a. Honesty and integrity

b. Respect for human rights
c. Professionalism
d. Strong sense of justice
e. Desire to help and serve others
f. Patriotism
g. Selflessness
Three Division of Justice:
► 1. Commutative Justice – it is a virtue that regulates those actions
that involve the right that exist between one individual and another
individual. Any violation of commutative justice imposes in the guilty
person the duty of restitution. Example; SPO1 Carpio violates
commutative justice if he steal the handgun of Pat Reyes.

► 2. Distributive Justice – it regulates those actions that involve the

right which an individual may claim from society. The state must
distribute the common burden and privileges equitably and must
make it possible for each citizen to exercise his right. Example; A
mayor violates distributive justice if he confers an honorary title on
an undeserving relative of his.

► 3. Legal Justice – it is a virtue that regulates those action which

society may justify require of the individual for the common good.
Example; One person violates legal Justice if he transport
Two Fundamental laws of human society:
1. Justice – it is refers to a virtue that inclines the will to give every person his
accorded rights.

2. Charity – refers to kindness, compassion, altruism (sacrifice), humanity and

goodwill. It is the obligation of giving under certain conditions whatever
assistance and aid which our fellowmen needs.

The law of charity

Man is by virtue a social animal. He is intended to live his life in company
with his fellow human being. Man has certain obligation with regards to his
fellow men. He is bound not only by the law of justice, which binds him to give
to respect their rights, but also by the law of charity, which binds him to give
them under certain conditions whatever help they may require.
PNP Image

The image of any organization affects the esprit de corps,

morale and welfare of members and sense of pride to the
organization. In view thereof all members of the PNP should
conduct themselves in a manner that would not place PNP
values in vain and possess the following virtue:

a. Honor
b. Integrity
c. Justice
d. Honesty
e. Humility
f. Charity
g. Loyalty to service
Career Management: the key to Professionalism – is the personal
professionalization process in the promotion, assignment, placement,
training, awards, and retirement. There should be a strict adherence of
policies and implementation of human resources development system.

Police management leadership – the primary basis for the employment and
deployment of personnel should be the managerial capabilities and
competent leadership of the men and women who will run the PNP.

Delicadeza – in consonance with the requirements of honor and integrity in

the PNP, all members must have the moral courage to sacrifice self-interest
in keeping with time honored principles of Delicadeza.
► Equality in Service – there should be a judicious equitable
distribution of opportunities to prove one’s worth in the police
service as in the giving of assignment, training, promotions, and
awarding of achievements to avoid an atmosphere of
demoralization.

► Police lifestyle – PNP member’s lifestyle should be acceptable and

respectable in the eyes of the public and should get an example to
subordinates and follow example from superiors.
•PNP members must be free from greed, corruption, and exploitation.
•The public expect a police officer to live a simple, yet credible and dignified life.

► Political patronage – All PNP members must inhibit themselves

from soliciting political patronage in manners pertaining to
assignment, training and promotions.

► Human rights – All PNP members must respect and protect human
dignity and men’s inalienable right to life, liberty and property.
Section 1, Art XI (Philippine Constitution)
“Public office is a public trust”. >Public officers and employees must at all times be
accountable to the people, serve them with utmost responsibility, integrity, loyalty and
efficiency, act with patriotism and justice, and lead modest lives.”

PNP Police Professional Conduct

1) Commitment to Democracy- commit themselves to the democratic

way of life and values and maintain the principle of public accountability.

2) Commitment to public interest - always uphold public interest over

and above personal interest.

3) Non-partisanship - provide services to everyone without

discrimination.

4) Physical Fitness and Health - strive to be mentally fit and in good

health at all times.
5) Secrecy Discipline - guard the confidentiality of classified
information against unauthorized disclosure.

6) Social awareness –PNP Members and their immediate family

shall be encourage to actively get involved in religious, social and
civic activities without affecting their official duties.

7) Non-solicitation of Patronage - shall seek self-improvement

through career development and shall not directly or indirectly solicit
influence or recommendation from politicians, high ranking
government officials, and prominent citizens, persons affiliated with
civic or religious organizations with regards to their assignment,
promotions and transfer nor shall they initiate any petition to be
prepared and presented by citizens in their behalf.

8) Proper care and Use of Public Property - promote and maintain a

sense of responsibility in the protection, proper care and judicious
9) Respect for Human Rights. They shall respect and protect human dignity and
uphold human rights of all persons.

10) Devotion to Duty. They shall perform their duties with dedication thoroughness,
efficiency enthusiasm, determination and manifest concern for public welfare and shall
refrain from engaging in any activity which shall be in conflict with their duties as public
servants.

11) Conservation of Natural Resources. They shall help in the development and
conservation of our natural resources for ecological balance and posterity.

12) Discipline. They shall conduct themselves properly at all times in keeping with the
rules and regulations.

13) Loyalty. They shall be loyal to the Constitution and the police service.

14) Obedience to Superiors. They shall obey lawful orders of & be courteous to
superior officers and other appropriate authorities within the chain of command.

15) Command Responsibility. They shall be responsible for the effective supervision,
control and direction of their personnel.
Police Ethical Standard
All PNP members shall observe the police ethical standard which
pertains to established accepted values and ethical acts as
following:

1. Morality – the police should practice high standard or morality

and decency and set a good example for other to follow. They
should not be involve as operators of any vice, and should not
patronize any of these vices. They should be faithful to their
wives too.

2. Judicious use of authority – PNP members should exercise

proper legitimate use of authority in the performance of their duties.

3. Justice – respect for the rights of others.

4. Humility – perform their duties without arrogance, and recognize their own
inadequacies, inability and limitations as individual.

5. Orderliness –follow logical procedures in accomplishing task assigned to them,

money and effort.

6. Perseverance –take legitimate means to achieve goals inspite of internal and

external difficulties.

7. Integrity –should not allow themselves to result to corruption and dishonest

practice.

8. Impartiality – a police officer shall perform all duties impartially, without favor or
affection or ill-will, and without regard to status, sex, race, religion, political or
aspiration. All citizens will be treated equally with courtesy, consideration, and dignity.
 PNP CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS
Section 1. General Statement - The PNP adopts the generally acceptable customs and
traditions based on the desirable practices of the police service. These shall serve to inspire
PNP members as the organization endeavors to attain its goals and objectives.
Sec. 2. Definition of Terms:

2.1 Customs - Established usage or social practices carried on by tradition that have
obtained the force of law.

2.2 Traditions - Bodies of beliefs, stories, customs and usages handed down from
generation to generation with the effect of an unwritten law.

2.3 Courtesy - A manifestation or expression of consideration and respect for others.

2.4 Ceremony - A formal act or set of formal acts established by customs or authority
as proper to special occasion.

2.5 Social Decorum - A set of norms and standards practiced by members during
social and other functions.
POLICE CUSTOMS
Sec. 3. Police Customs on Courtesy - The following are customs on
courtesy in the PNP:
3.1 Salute - Salute is the usual greeting rendered by uniformed members
upon meeting and recognizing person entitled to a salute.

3.2 Salute to National Color and Standards - Members stand at attention

and salute the national color and standard as it pass by them or when the
national color is raised or lowered during ceremonies.

3.3 Address/Title - Junior in rank address senior members who are entitled
to salute with the word "Sir" or Ma’am. All Police Commissioned Officers
shall be addressed sir or ma’am by Police Non-Commissioned Officers and
Non-Uniformed Personnel.

3.4 Courtesy Calls - The following are the customs on courtesy calls:
a. Courtesy Call of Newly Assigned/Appointed Member - PNP
members who are newly appointed or assigned in a unit or command call
on the chief of the unit or command and other key personnel as a matter of
 b. Christmas Call - PNP members pay a Christmas Call on their local
executives in their respective area of responsibility.
 
c. New Year's Call - PNP members pay a New Year's call on their commanders
and/or key officials in their respective area of responsibility.

d. Promotion Call - Newly promoted PNP members call on their unit head. On
this occasion, they are usually given due recognition and congratulations by their
peers for such deserved accomplishment.
 
e. Exit Call - PNP members pays an Exit Call on their superiors in the unit or
command when relieved or reassigned out of the said unit or command.
 
3.5 Courtesy of the Post - The host unit extends hospitality to visiting personnel
who pay respect to the command or unit.
 
3.6 Rank Has-Its-Own Privilege (RHIP) - PNP members recognize the practice
that different ranks carry with them corresponding privileges
Sec. 4. Police Customs on Ceremonies

4.1. Flag Raising Ceremony - The PNP members honor the flag by hoisting it
and singing the National Anthem before the start of the official day's work.

4.2. Flag Retreat Ceremony - At the end of the official days' work, the PNP
members pause for a moment to salute the lowering of the flag.

4.3. Half-Mast - The flag is raised at half-mast in deference to deceased

uniformed members of the command.

4.4. Funeral Service and Honors - Departed uniformed members, retirees, war
veterans or former PC/INP members are given vigil, necrological services and
graveside honors as a gesture of farewell.

4.5. Ceremony Tendered to Retirees - In recognition of their long faithful and

honorable service to the PNP, a testimonial activity is tendered in their honor.
 4.6. Honor Ceremony - Arrival and departure honor ceremonies are rendered
to visiting dignitaries, VIPs, PNP Officers with the grade of Chief Superintendent
and above and AFP officers of equivalent grade, unless waived.
 
4.7. Turn-Over Ceremony - The relinquishment and assumption of command
or key position is publicly announced in a Turn-Over Ceremony by the out-going and
in-coming officers in the presence of the immediate superior or his representative.
Outgoing Commander/Director should not leave his post without proper turnover of
properties /equipment, human and material resources.
 
4.8. Wedding Ceremony - During marriage of PNP members, a ceremony is
conducted with participants in uniform and swords drawn.
 
4.9. Anniversary - The birth or institutional establishment of a command or unit
is commemorated in an Anniversary Ceremony.
 
Sec. 5. Police Customs on Social Decorum - The following are police customs on
social decorum:
 
5.1. Proper Attire - PNP members always wear appropriate and proper attire in
conformity with the occasion.
 
5.2. Table Manners - PNP members observe table etiquette at all times.
 
5.3. Social Graces - PNP members conduct themselves properly in dealing with
people during social functions.
 
5.4. Uniform/Appearance - The public looks upon a PNP member as distinctively
a man among men. They are best exemplified by those who are neat in appearance
and wearing the prescribed uniform.
5.5 Manner of Walking - Every PNP member is expected to walk with pride and
dignity
Sec. 6. Other Police Customs:
 
6.1. Visiting the Sick – Immediate commanders or other available officers of the unit visit
PNP members who are sick in the hospital, their residence or any place of confinement in
order that their needs are attended to.
 
6.2. Survivor Assistance to Heirs of Deceased Members – A survivor officer is designated
whenever PNP members die, to render maximum assistance to their legitimate bereaved
family until all benefits due shall have been received.
 
6.3. Visiting the Religious Leaders - PNP Officers visit religious leaders in their area of
assignment to establish or maintain rapport and cooperation between the difference religious
leaders and the PNP.
 
6.4. Athletics - PNP members indulge in physical fitness activities to insure that their proper
physical appearance and bearing are maintained with the waist line measurement always
smaller than size of his chest and in conformity with the standard set forth by the organization.
 
6.5. Happy Hours - Usually on Friday or any other day suitable for the occasion, PNP
members gather together at their PNP club for a light hearted jesting or airing of minor gripes.
POLICE TRADITIONS
Tradition - The following are police traditions:
1.Spiritual Beliefs - The PNP members are traditionally religious and God-
loving person. They attend religious services together with the members of their
family.
2.Valor - History attests that the Filipino law-enforcers have exemplified the
tradition of valor in defending the country from aggression and oppression and
protecting/preserving the life and property of the people. They sacrificed their
limbs and lives for the sake of their countrymen whom they have pledged to
serve.
3.Patriotism - The PNP members are traditionally patriotic by nature. They
manifest their love off country with a pledge of allegiance to the flag and a vow to
defend the constitution.
4. Discipline - The discipline of PNP members is manifested by instinctive
obedience to lawful orders and through and spontaneous actions towards
attainment of organizational objectives guided by moral, ethical and legal norms.
 5.Gentlemanliness - The PNP members are upright in character, gentle in
manners, dignified in appearance, and sincere in their concern to their fellowmen.
6.Word of Honor - The PNP members' word is their bond. They stand by the
commit to uphold it.
7.Duty - The PNP members have historically exemplified themselves as
dedicated public servants who perform their tasks with a deep sense of responsibility
and self-sacrifice. They shall readily accept assignment anywhere in the country.
8.Loyalty – PNP members are traditionally loyal to the organization, country and
people as borne by history and practice.
9.Camaraderie - The binding spirit that enhances teamwork and cooperation in
the police organization, extending to the people they serve, is manifested by the PNP
members' deep commitment and concern to one another.
Question: Are police officers considered as persons in authority?
Under article 152 of the RPC, a person in authority is any person directly
vested with the jurisdiction, whether as an individual or as a member of some
court or governmental corporation, board, or commission.

Question: who are agents of person in authority?

They are, by direct provision of law or by election or by appointment by
competent authority, is charge with the maintenance of public order and the
protection and security of life and property.
 Challenges to police ethical behavior:
Deviant behaviors:
a. Brutality – it the infliction of physical harm. It is often a product of immaturity.
Institutionalized brutality is a by-product of poor training, peer support and
lax/incompetent supervision.
b. Abuse of Authority
c. Lying- examples: Falsifying Reports, Falsifying Evidence, Cover-up and
Lying in Court
d. Sexual Misconduct
e. Extortion.
f. Sexual liaisons.
g. Theft of Property
h. Bribery
I. Alcohol/Drug abuse
j. Deliberate Inefficiency
k. Corruption – refers to the misuse of police authority for personal gain. The
term police corruption is often used in reference to all kind of wrongful police conduct,
including police brutality or excessive use of force, racial discrimination and perjury.
The following are forms of Police Corruption:
1) Negotiable graft. It is the mutual bargaining behavior engaged in between
officers and criminals.
2) Extortion. It is the practice of solicitation of money or favors by officers in
return for ignoring violations of law.
3) Acceptance of petty bribes. It happens most of the time in the roads.
4) Taking kickbacks and similar rewards. It is the money or something of
value given to the officer by a “business” in exchange for consideration.
5) Opportunistic theft. This is a theft that arises naturally out of the
performance of an officer’s routine duties.
6) Taking bribes from other officers. It is the falsification of attendance
records, influence vacations and day offs, and reports them present even if they are
not.
Corrupt police officers are classified as:

a. Meat eaters – “carnivorous cops” who actively and aggressively

seek personal gain through position or power.
b. Grass eaters – “vegetarian cop” refers to police officers who
passively accept gifts and bribes as they come along.
c. Straight shooters – refers to honest policemen who are ready to
cover and conceal corrupt practices of the police department as part of
camaraderie and the unwritten code of silence.

“White Knights” or “Eagles” refers to policemen with integrity and

honest and straight forward. Mostly idealistic they rise above corruption
and confront it.

“Ignorance of the law excuses no one” – implies that no one should

act in the state of ignorance and that no one who has done wrong
may claim ignorance as a defense.”
Administrative Offenses that a PNP member may be charge:
1. Neglect of duty or nonfeasance
2. Irregularities in the performance of duty or misfeasance
3. Misconduct or Malfeasance
4. Incompetence
5. Oppression
6. Dishonesty
7. Disloyalty to the Government
 MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO.
2007-001
RULE 21
OFFENSES
 

Section 1.Offenses Punishable. – The following are the offenses punishable

and defined as follows:
 
1)Neglect of Duty or Nonfeasance – is the omission or refusal, without
sufficient excuse, to perform an act or duty, which it was the peace officer’s legal
obligation to perform; implies a duty as well as its breach and the fact can never
be found in the absence of duty.
 
2)Irregularities in the Performance of Duty or Misfeasance – is the
improper performance of some act which might lawfully be done.
 
3)Misconduct or Malfeasance – is any wrongful, improper or unlawful
conduct motivated by premeditated, obstinate or intentional purpose. It usually
refers to transgression of some established and definite rule of action, where no
discretion is left except where necessity may demand; it does not necessarily
imply corruption or criminal intention.
 4) Incompetence – is ignorance or the material lack of adequate ability and
fitness for the satisfactory performance of police duties. This refers to any physical,
intellectual, psychological and moral quality, the lack of which substantially
incapacitates a person to perform the duties of a police officer.
 
5) Oppression – imports an act of cruelty, severity, unlawful exaction,
domination, or excessive use of authority. The exercise of unlawful powers or other
means, in depriving an individual of his property or liberty against his will, is
generally an act of oppression.
 
6) Dishonesty – is the concealment or distortion of truth in a matter of fact
relevant to one’s office, or connected with the performance of his duties or
connected with the performance of his duties; and
 
7) Disloyalty to the Government – consists of the abandonment or
renunciation of one’s loyalty to the government of the Philippines, or advocating the
overthrow of the government, through overt and covert acts.
 Police Community Relation

Police community relations – it is the sum total of all dealings of the

police with the people it serves and whose good will and cooperation it graves
for the greatest possible efficiency in public service.
Police public relation – it is the continuing process by which endeavors
are made to obtain the goodwill and cooperation of the public for effective
enforcement of the law and accomplishment of the police purpose.
Public relation – it is the act of bringing about better understanding,
confidence, and acceptance for an individual or an organization.
Human relation – consists of those fundamental precepts, both moral and
legal, which govern the relationship of man in all aspects of life.
Sir Robert Peel - the father of Police Community Relation
Principles of police community relations:

1. Public support must be maintained.

2. Public resentment must be avoided.
3. Public goodwill must be developed.
4. Public must be keep informed.
Coverage of police community relation:

Public information program – it is designed to bridge any communication gap between

the police and the public. It is the basic ingredient in effective police community relations.
This evolves upon the concept of keeping the members of the society informed so that they
will appreciate and understand the complexity of the police work and the services rendered
by the men in uniform.

Public relation program – it is focused on building a good image for the police
organization through actual performance without inefficiency and corruption. Its objective is
to gain public support and win citizen’s cooperation to accomplish police tasks.
 
Civic action program – a program which makes the policemen a friend and partner of the
people for progress as well as their defender. This endeavor attempts to impart to the
members of the community that police officers are their friends and the partners in
rendering public assistance in times of emergency.

Mass communication program – it is designed to influenced the opinions, attitudes,

behavior and emotions of the public in a manner that they will behave in accordance with
the law.
 
Objectives of police community relation:

1.To maintain and develop confidence and goodwill of the

community to the police.
2. To obtain public assistance and cooperation.
3. To develop public appreciation, understanding and support for
the services of the police.
4. To create broader understanding and sympathy of the need
and problems of the police.
5. To facilitate law enforcement and compliance.
6. To build public opinion in favor to the police.
7. To achieve the police purpose of preserving peace, protecting
life and property, and the prevention of crime.
Basic foundation of good community relation:
a. Sincerity in serving the public.
b. Full knowledge of the job.
c. Deep conviction in the nobility of the work.
d. Sound police ethics.
e. High standard of operations.
 
Categories of the PO’s individual public relation:
1.Domestic relations – includes dealing with the family and relatives.
2.Neighborhood relations – includes decorum with neighbors.
3.Community relations – it consists of dealings with other member of the
locality where a PO resides.
4.Religious relations – it denote religious affiliation which is necessary for
stability of moral principles.
5.Government relations – it implies recognition of government authority for the
stability and adherence to the laws and ordinances.
 Thank You…
Good Luck for the Board
Examination….

God Bless!!!