Essay - Police Codes of Ethics Introduction Virtually all Police Departments Have...

Police Codes of Ethics

INTRODUCTION

Virtually all police departments have some kind of formal "Code of Ethics," or guidelines that tell the members ***** ***** ***** f*****ce what is and is not acceptable behavior. The people these officers are sworn to serve and protect expect ethical behavior from those officers, and in fact there are times when public or *****dividual safety depends on the officers' determination to act in ***** and honest ways. Meanwhile, we hear horrific stories about police force abuse, including cases where ***** officers ***** been caught selling drugs to the incident in New York some years ago where a suspect in custody was terribly abused while in *****.

Of course, the great majority of police *****ficers go to work every day and are routinely prepared ***** put their lives on the line for others, c*****duct their professional with dignity ***** good judgment, and never once commit an offense that would place ***** name on a list of officers who had violated the public's faith, or any laws. Never*****less, the police in any community have tremendous power, and it's important that the ***** to whom the public entrust their safety ***** in honorable and ethical ways.

***** of the Internet, it is possible for concerned c*****izens and anyone else to view the ***** of Ethics for many police departments across the country. This paper will compare and contrast ***** Code of Conduct for Washington, D. C. and two other cities -- Denver and Detroit. It will compare Washington, D. C. ***** the ***** two cities because of a remarkable coincidence: Denver's and Detro***** Codes ***** Conduct are nearly identical, word ***** word.

***** D. C.'s Code of Conduct was written by Interim Chief of Police Sonya T. Proctor after a period of turmoil in that police department. It reads,

*****he ***** of the police to fulfill ***** functions is dependent upon securing and maintaining community respect ***** approval, which includes obtaining ***** ********** willingness ***** cooperate in the task of ensuring safety. The extent to ***** the community will cooperate with ***** Metropolitan Police Department is dependent ***** its respect for, and confidence in, the police. ***** extent ***** which ***** community's respect and trust can be secured is dimin*****hed when a mem*****r of the ***** acts in an unprofessional, improper, dis*****, or unlawful manner.

In any effort to streng*****n the citizen-police officer relationship, the personal conduct and attitude of the police officer is of paramount importance. Each member of the force must understand ***** ***** basis of the police service is a desire *****nd a ********** ***** serve ***** community. In order to earn the ***** and trust of the *****, all sworn and civilian employees of the Metropolitan Police ***** ***** subscribe to the following:

Members shall regard their office as a ***** ***** and, in the discharge of ***** duties, be constantly mindful ***** *****ir primary obligation to ***** the community honestly, efficiently, and effectively.

Members shall administer ***** law in a just, impartial,