POLICE BEHAVIOR

AND ETHICAL
STANDARDS
Introduction

Police are the most visible face of government power for most citizens,
they are expected to deal effectively with crime and disorder and to be
impartial. Producing justice through the fair, and restrained use of their
authority. The standards by which the public judges police success have
become more exacting and challenging.
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. However, ethical behavior would include
following any written rules, formal regulations and laws.
Police Behavior
In general, police research has focused on explaining four particular types of police officer
behavior:
1. detection activities 2. service activities 3. the use of arrest/citations, 4. and the use of force
(Sherman, 1980).

1.Detection activities include field interrogation and traffic stops, investigative techniques, etc.
2. Service activities include mediating disputes, assisting citizens, and engaging in problem
solving and community policing activities.
3. Official police action is examined through the use of arrest or citations. It is through these
actions that police invoke the criminal justice system and bring the power of the state to bear on
individuals.
4. Police use of force, although statistically a rare event, has been extensively examined.
The factors that explain police behavior have also been generally
grouped in four categories: situational,
individual,organizational and community.

■ Situational factors refer to the characteristics of police-citizen encounters that

may influence how an officer acts during that situation.
■ Individual factors refer to the characteristics of individual officers that may
influence their behavior.
■ Organizational factors include any characteristics of the police organization
that might influence officer behavior
■ Community factors may influence officer decision making.
The standards of professional
Behavior
The standards of professional behavior, as reflected in the Code of Ethics, are a
statement of the expectations that the police and the public have of how
police officers should behave. They are not intended to describe every situation
but rather to set a framework which everyone can easily understand.
Who are the Police?

■ Police, body of officers representing the civil authority of government.

Police typically are responsible for maintaining public order and safety,
enforcing the law, and preventing, detecting, and investigating criminal activities.
These functions are known as policing.
PNP Seal & Badge

■ Lapu-Lapu Hero - The great Filipino hero of Mactan, the prototype of the best and most noble
in Filipino manhood who is the symbol and embodiment of all the genuine attributes of
leadership, courage, nationalism, self-reliance and a people-based and people powered
community defense. The benevolent and heroic warrior who derived added strength from a
cohesive, determined and loyal people is today a fitting symbol and a prototype as well of people
power to preserve our values, customs, traditions, way of life and the rule of law thru a solidly
community-based police system. Lapu-Lapu also personifies for us today civilian constitutional
authority.

■ Laurel - Green Laurel with 14 leaves, symbolizes the 14 Regional Commands. It is also a
symbol of the honor, dignity and the privilege of being a member of a noble organization where
the call to public service is par excellence a commitment to public trust.
PNP Seal & Badge

■ Shield - The symbol of the Philippine Constabulary, the first National Police by virtue of
Organic Act No. 175, enacted by the Philippine Commission on 18 July 1901. The Philippine
Constabulary for the close to 90 years of service to the nation has performed with honor,
professionalism and courage. The PC has carved out a large part of the glorious pages of
Philippine history, as attested by its proudly and deservedly garnering 86 of the 92 "Medals of
Valor" the highest honor that a grateful Filipino nation can bestow on its gallant sons in the
service of the Republic. Most appropriately therefore, the Philippine Constabulary became the
nucleus of the Integrated National Police in 1975 to nurture the then embryonic concept of the
nationalization of the country's local police forces.
■ Three Stars - Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao and the 1,700 islands and the territorial integrity
wherein the National Police must enforce the law and maintain peace and order with
professionalism, zeal and dedication in keeping with the highest ideals and traditions of service
to our country and people.
PNP Seal & Badge

■ Service • Honor • Justice - Added distinct ideals for the officers, men and women of the PNP to
insure efficiency, integrity, cohesiveness, camaraderie and equanimity to enhance community
acceptance and support to attain its mission of peace keeping and law enforcement.

Sun - Symbolize the flowering, maturing and ultimate realization of the glorious evolution of the
PC/INP into a National Police Organization - "national in scope and civilian in character" - as
enshrined in the 1986 Constitution. The Traditional light rays which represents the fight ingest
provinces whose ideals of courage and patriotism the members of the National Police must
possess
 PNP Seal & Badge

■ Philippine Monkey Eating Eagle The National Bird - symbol of swiftness and
ferocity, power, courage and immortality.
■ PNP Shield - Symbol of protection of all citizens.

■ Three Stars - Stands for Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao which constitute the Republic's
Territorial Integrity over which the PNP must enforce the law and maintain peace and
order with professionalism, zeal and dedication in keeping with the highest ideals and
traditions of service to God, Country and People.
 PNP Seal & Badge

■ Eight Sun Rays - Represents the eight (8) provinces whose ideals of courage, gallantry
patriotism led to their revolt against Spain.

Lapu-Lapu - Symbolizes the bravery of the Philippine National Police.

Service, Honor, Justice - Service is the vibrant and cogent deeds and actions in
response to the needs and wants of the people in distress: Honor could be the overriding
criterion and consideration in the performance of their entrusted task or mission: and
Justice dispensed to everyone whatever is due to him without favoritism or
discrimination of any sort.
 PNP
STANDARD UNIFORMS
PNP GOA TYPE “A”
When to use:
Daily Office Attire
Heightened Alert Status
Appearances at Malacañang, Senate, Congress, Courts; and
As directed by higher authority
PNP GOA TYPE “B”
When to use:
Full Alert Status; and
As directed by higher authority
In case of Full Alert status, the uniform of the day shall be worn for the flag raising and flag retreat
ceremonies.
PNP GOA TYPE “C”
When to use:
Daily Office attire at the following PNP offices: Police Provincial Offices, City Police Offices, Police
District Offices (NCPRO) and Police Stations and its attached PNP units.
Full alert status for NHQ and RHQs: other similar activities as directed by CPNP and other Directors
concerned, such as: Civil Disturbance Management(CDM) personnel/security coverage.
PNP FIELD SERVICE UNIFORM
When to use:
Exclusive use only of the PNP personnel assigned in the various Mobile Group Companies
(Regional, Provincial and City) involved in counter insurgency operation in rural and
forested areas.
PNP ATHLETIC UNIFORM
When to use:
Exclusive use only of the PNP personnel during the conduct of athletics, Physical Fitness
Test, Torch Run, Fun Run, Disaster, Relief and Rescue Operations, Fatigue Duty and other
similar activities.
■ End of Presentation