MODULE III: ETHICS IN THE LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICE (PNP)

Special Ethics

 The study of the application of the general principles of morality

Professional Ethics

 A sub-branch of special ethics

 A set of moral code to which every profession must subscribe
 Aims to guide the actuations of the professional in the practice of his/her profession

Examples of Professional Ethics:

1. Medical Ethics
2. Business Ethics
3. Legal Ethics
4. Code of ethics of Teachers
5. Code of Ethics of Public officials
6. Police Ethics

Police Ethics

 A practical science that treats the principles of human morality and duty as applied to law
enforcement.

PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE CODE OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT AND ETHICAL STANDARDS

Brief Historical Background

According to Section 37 of RA 6975, “There shall be established performance evaluation

system which shall be administered in accordance with the rules, regulations and standards, and a
CODE OF CONDUCT promulgated by the Commission for the members of the PNP.

Napolcom Resolution No.92-4 a resolution issued by the NAPOLCOM approving the draft of
the Philippine National Police Code of Professional Conduct and Ethical Standards by the PNP which
was approved on 12 March 1992.

PURPOSES OF THE CODE

1) To foster individual efficiency, behavioral discipline and organizational

effectiveness, as well as respect for constitutional and human rights of
citizens, democratic principles and ideals and the supremacy of civilian
authority over the military;
2) To set the moral tone and norms of professional conduct in the police service;
3) To provide moral and ethical guidance to all PNP members; and
4) To enlighten members of the police service of what behavior is really
acceptable – to define what is permitted and what is prohibited.

LAWS RELATED TO THE PNP CODE

 1) RA 3019 – Anti-Graft and Corruption Practices Act
2) RA 6713 – Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and
Employees
3) RA 7080 – Anti-Plunder Act
4) RA 9485 – the Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007
5) PLEB Rules and Regulations

IMPORTANT TERMS

NONFEASANCE
 the failure to perform an act or duty that is part of one’s obligation without sufficient excuse
MALFEASANCE
 the commission of an act that one is prohibited to do
MISFEASANCE
 the improper or incorrect performance of an act that should be done or performed
INCOMPETENCY
 lack of adequate ability and fitness for the satisfactory performance of police duties; could be due
to physical or intellectual limitations or lack of skill
DISLOYALTY TO THE GOVERNMENT
 abandonment or renunciation of one’s loyalty to the government of the Philippines
advocating to overthrow the present administration
POLICE DISCRETION
 the act or the liberty to decide according to the principles of justice and the police officer’s
ideas of what is right and proper under the circumstances

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 rights
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 deed in both my personal and official life, I will be 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 friendship 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 a public trust
to be held so long as I am true to the ethics of police service. I will never engage in 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.

PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE CODE OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT AND ETHICAL

STANDARDS

CANONS OF POLICE ETHICS

 Primordial Police Responsibility

o the primary responsibility of the police is crime prevention
 Limitation of Police Authority
o laws set limits to the power of the police. Police officers are not exempted from
obeying the laws they are enforcing
 Knowledge of the Law and other Responsibilities
o police officers are expected to know and understand the laws they are enforcing
o police officers must fully understand their duties and responsibilities as police
officers
o police officers must know and fully understand the relationship of the PNP
organization with other law enforcement agencies and other government agencies
 Use of Proper Means to Obtain Proper Ends
police officers must only employ legal methods in the conduct of their work
 Cooperation with Public Officials
o police officers must cooperate with other public officials and government agencies
 Proper Conduct and Behavior
police officers must always observe proper conduct and behavior both in their personal and
official life
 Conduct towards the Community
o police officers must never forget that they are public servants
 Conduct in Arresting Law Violators
o police officers must always adhere to the prescribed rules when effecting arrests of
suspects
 Firmness in Refusing Gifts
o police officers must never ask for nor accept gifts or special favors
 Impartial Presentation of Evidence
o police officers must be fair in presenting evidence
 Attitude towards Police Profession
o police officers must have a high regard for the police profession and must be
proud that they are police officers police officers must strive to improve their
knowledge

PROFESSIONAL POLICE PRINCIPLE

 Prevention of Crime and Disorder

o it is the primary objective of the police to prevent crime
 Cooperation of the Community
 o the police are dependent upon community support
 Unreasonable Force Reduces Community Cooperation
o the use of unreasonable force on the part of the police
negatively affects the desire of the people to cooperate
with the police
 Use of Reasonable Force when Persuasion is not Sufficient
o the police may only use force when dialogue is no longer
effective and the degree of force to be used must be reasonable
 Impartial Enforcement of Laws
o the police must be fair in enforcing the laws
 The Community are the Police
o the police and the community are dependent on each
other and must work hand in hand to prevent crimes
 Police should not Usurp Judicial Power
o the police have no power or authority to decide whether a
suspect is guilty or innocent of a crime because only the
court has this power
 Rules of Engagement Impartially Observed
o the police must always adhere to the prescribed procedures in the
performance of their duty
 Reduction of Crime and Disorder
o the effectiveness of the police is measured through the ability
of the police to prevent crime
 Police Discretion
o the police must never abuse the police discretion granted to them

PNP CORE VALUES

1) Love of God
2) Respect for Authority
3) Selfless Love and Service to People
4) Sanctity of Marriage and Respect for Women
5) Responsible Dominion and Stewardship over Material Things
6) Truthfulness
POLICE OFFICER CREED

I believe in God, the Supreme Being, a Great Provider, and

the Creator of all men and everything dear to me. In return, I
cannot less than love Him above all, seek His guidance in the
performance of my sworn duties and honor Him at all times.

I believe that respect for authority is a duty. I respect and

uphold the Constitution, the laws of the land and the applicable
rules and regulations. I recognize the legitimacy and authority of
the leadership, and follow and obey legal orders of my superior
officers.

I believe in selfless love and service to people. Towards

this end, I commit myself to the service of my fellowmen over and
above my personal convenience.

I believe in the sanctity of marriage and respect for

 women. I shall set the example of decency and morality and shall
have high regard for family life and chastity.

I believe in responsible dominion and stewardship over

material things. I shall inhibit myself from ostentatious display of
my property. I shall protect the environment and conserve nature
to maintain ecological balance. I shall respect private and public
properties and prevent others from destroying them.

I believe in the wisdom of truthfulness. I must be

trustworthy and I shall speak the truth at all times as required by
the profession.

PNP STAND ON BASIC ISSUES

 PNP IMAGE
the PNP shall live in accordance with the PNP Core Values and shall possess the following
virtues:
a. HONOR
b. INTEGRITY
c. VALOR
d. JUSTICE
e. HONESTY
f. HUMILITY
g. CHARITY
h. LOYALTY TO SERVICE
 CAREER MANAGEMENT
o the PNP shall formulate and implement policies and human resources development
system for all PNP personnel, from recruitment to retirement
 POLICE MANAGEMENT LEADERSHIP
o The primary basis for consideration in the selection of personnel for employment and
deployment shall be the individual’s capabilities and competent leadership
 EQUALITY IN THE SERVICE
o there shall be judicious and equitable distribution of opportunity to
prove one’s worth in the PNP service; the PNP shall strictly adhere
to the rule of merit and fitness system
 DELICADEZA
o all members of the PNP must have moral courage to sacrifice self-interest
 POLICE LIFESTYLE
o the PNP shall endeavor to promote a lifestyle that is acceptable and respectable in
the eyes of the public because the public expects a police officer to live a simple, yet
dignified life
 POLITICAL PATRONAGE
o all PNP members must inhibit themselves from soliciting
political patronage in matters pertaining to assignments,
promotions, trainings and awards
 HUMAN RIGHTS
o all PNP members shall respect and protect human
dignity and man’s rights to life, liberty and property
POLICE PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT

 COMMITMENT TO DEMOCRACY
o police officers must commit themselves to a democratic
way of life and values and maintain the principle of
public accountability
o they shall at all times uphold the Constitution and be
loyal to the legitimate government
 COMMITMENT TO PUBLIC INTEREST
o police officers must always uphold public interest over and above
personal interest they shall use public resources and
properties economically and judiciously to avoid wastage of
public funds
 NON-PARTISANSHIP
o police officers shall provide services to everyone without
discrimination regardless of political affiliation in accordance with
existing laws and regulations
 PHYSICAL FITNESS AND HEALTH
o police officers shall strive to be physically and mentally fit and in
good health at all times
 SECRECY DISCIPLINE
o police officers shall guard the confidentiality of official
information against unauthorized access and disclosure
 SOCIAL AWARENESS
o police officers, as well as their immediate family members, shall
be encouraged to actively get involved in religious, social and
civic activities to enhance the image of the PNP organization
 NON-SOLICITATION OF PATRONAGE
o police officers shall seek self-improvement through career
development without directly or indirectly soliciting favors or
recommendation from politicians, high-ranking government
officials and the likes
 PROPER CARE AND USE OF PUBLIC PROPERTY
o police officers shall be responsible for the security, proper care
and use of public authority issued to them for the performance
of their duties
 RESPECT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS
o police officers shall respect and protect human rights in the
performance of their duty
 DEVOTION TO DUTY
o police officers shall perform their duties with dedication,
thoroughness, efficiency, enthusiasm, determination and
manifest concern for public welfare
 CONSERVATION OF NATURAL RESOURCES
o police officers shall help in the development and conservation of
our natural resources for ecological balance and posterity
 DISCIPLINE
o police officers shall conduct themselves properly at all times in
keeping with the rules and regulations of the organization
 LOYALTY
o police officers must be loyal to the Constitution and to the police
service as manifested by their loyalty to their superiors, peers
and subordinates as well
 OBEDIENCE TO SUPERIORS
o police officers shall obey lawful orders and be courteous to
superior officers and other appropriate authorities
  COMMAND RESPONSIBILITY
o Immediate commanders shall be responsible for the effective
supervision, control and direction of their personnel

ETHICAL STANDARDS
shall refer to established and generally accepted moral values and ethical acts

 MORALITY
o police officers must adhere to high standard of morality
and decency and shall set good example for others
 JUDICIOUS USE OF AUTHORITY
o police officers shall exercise proper and legitimate use
of authority and discretion in the performance of their duty
 INTEGRITY
o police officers shall not allow themselves to be victims of
corruption and dishonest practices
 JUSTICE
o police officers shall strive constantly to respect the rights of
others
 HUMILITY
o police officers shall recognize the fact that they are public
servants and not the masters of the people
o they should perform their duties without arrogance
o they should recognize their own inadequacies,
inabilities and limitations as individuals
o they should perform their duties without attracting
attention or expecting the applause of others
 ORDERLINES
o police officers shall follow logical procedures in
accomplishing tasks assigned to them to minimize
wasted time and resources
 PERSEVERANCE
o police officers must exert all efforts to achieve
their goal or mission even in the face of difficulties
and obstacles

PNP CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS

 CUSTOMS
o established usage or social practices carried on by tradition that have obtained the
force of law
 PNP CUSTOMS ON COURTESY
o a manifestation or expression of consideration and respect for others
 SALUTE
o the usual greeting rendered by uniformed personnel upon meeting and recognizing
persons entitled to it
 SALUTE TO NATIONAL COLOR AND STANDARD
o police officers must stand at attention and salute the national color and standard as
it passes by them or when the national color is raised or lowered during ceremonies
 ADDRESS/TITLE
o junior in rank must address senior members who are entitled to a salute with the
―Sir or Ma’am
COURTESY CALLS
 COURTESY CALL OF NEWLY-ASSIGNED/APPOINTED MEMBER
o PNP members who are newly-assigned or appointed to a unit or command must call
on the chief of the unit or command and to other key personnel for accounting,
orientation and other purposes
 CHRISTMAS CALL
o PNP members pay a Christmas call on their local executives in their respective area
of responsibility
 NEW YEAR’S CALL
o PNP members pay a New Year’s call on their commanders and/or key officials in
their respective area of responsibility
 PROMOTION CALL
o newly-promoted PNP members call on their unit head
 EXIT CALL
o PNP members pay an exit call on their superiors in the unit or command when
relieved or reassigned out of said unit or command
 COURTESY OF THE POST
o the host unit extends hospitality to visiting personnel who pay respect to the
command or unit
 RANK-HAS-ITS-OWN-PRIVILEGE
o PNP members must acknowledge that different ranks carry with them
corresponding privileges

CEREMONY
a formal act or set of formal acts established by customs or authority as proper to special occasion

PNP CUSTOMS ON CEREMONIES

 FLAG RAISING CEREMONIES
PNP members honor the flag by raising it and singing the National Anthem
before the start of the official day’s work
 FLAG-RETREAT CEREMONY
PNP members salute the lowering of the flag at the end of the official day’s
work
 HALF-MAST
the flag is raised at half-mast in deference to deceased uniformed
members of the command
 FUNERAL SERVICE AND HONORS
departed uniformed members, retirees, war veterans or former PNP
members are given vigil, necrological services and graveside honors
 CEREMONY TENDERED TO RETIREES
in recognition of their long, faithful and honorable service to the PNP, a
testimonial activity shall be tendered in their honor
 HONOR CEREMONIES
arrival and departure honor ceremonies are rendered to visiting
dignitaries, VIPs, PNP officers with the rank of Chief Superintendent and
above and AFP officers of equivalent grade
 TURN-OVER CEREMONY
the relinquishment and assumption of command or key position is
 publicly announced by the outgoing and incoming officers
 WEDDING CEREMONY
during marriage of PNP members, a ceremony is conducted with
participants in uniform and swords drawn
 ANNIVERSARY
the birth or institutional establishment of a command or unit is
commemorated in an anniversary ceremony

SOCIAL DECORUM
a set of norms and standards practiced by members during social and other
functions
PNP CUSTOMS ON SOCIAL DECORUM
 UNIFORM/APPEARANCE
police officers must observe the following:
a) wearing of prescribed uniform
b) wearing, as part of the uniform, awards and decorations
earned in accordance with the prescribed rules and
regulations
c) adherence to haircut prescribed by rules and regulations
 MANNER OF WALKING
every PNP officer is expected to walk with pride and dignity

OTHER POLICE CUSTOMS

 Visiting the Sick

o 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
 Survivor Assistance to Heirs of Deceased Members
o a survivor officer is designated whenever PNP
members die, to render maximum assistance to
their bereaved family until all benefits due shall have
been received
 Visiting Religious Leaders
o PNP officer visit religious leaders in their areas of
assignment to establish or maintain rapport and
cooperation between the different religious leaders
and the PNP
 Athletics
o PNP members indulge in physical fitness activities to
ensure that their proper physical appearance and
bearing are maintained with the waist line
measurement always smaller than the size of his
chest and in conformity with the standard set forth
by the organization
 Happy Hours
o 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
TRADITION
bodies of beliefs, stories, customs and usages handed
down from generation to generation with the effect of an
unwritten law

POLICE TRADITIONS
 SPIRITUAL BELIEFS
o PNP members are traditionally religious and
God-loving persons; they attend religious
services together with the members of their
family
 VALOR
o police officers sacrifice their lives and limbs for the people they
have pledged to serve
 PATRIOTISM
o police officers manifest their love of country
with a pledge of allegiance to the flag and a vow to
defend the Constitution
 DISCIPLINE
o police officers’ manifest discipline by instinctive
obedience to lawful orders and through spontaneous
actions towards attainment of organizational objectives
guided by moral, ethical and legal norms
 GENTLEMANLINESS
o police officers are upright in character, polite in
manners, dignified in appearance and sincere in their
concern for their fellowmen
 WORD OF HONOR
o police officers stand by, and commit to uphold, their word
 DUTY
o police officers are dedicated public servants who perform their tasks
with a deep sense of responsibility and self-sacrifice
 LOYALTY
o police officers are traditionally loyal to the organization,
country and fellowmen
 CAMARADERIE
o the binding spirit that enhances teamwork and cooperation in
the police organization

POLICE OFFICER’S PLEDGE

1) I will love and serve God, my country and people;
2) I will uphold the Constitution and obey legal orders of the
duly-constituted authorities
3) I will oblige myself to maintain a high standard
of morality and professionalism
4) I will respect the customs and traditions of the police service; and
5) I will live a decent and virtuous life and to serve as an example to others.