IMPORTANT TERMS TO PONDER ABOUT

PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT
AND ETHICAL STANDARDS
These are some of the terms that are related to the study of
professional conduct and ethical standards. Some of these terms
describe the acts at violate the PNP professional conduct and
ethical doctrines.

CRIME


An act committed or omitted in violation of a law, forbidding or

commanding it. Simple malfeasance, misfeasance, or
nonfeasance by public servants or police officers that violates
the provisions of the RPC and other statutes may constitute the
commission of a crime.


DISHONESTY


The concealment or distortion of truth in a manners of a fact

relevant to one’s office or connected with the performance of
his duties.


DISLOYALTY TO THE GOVERNMENT



Consist of abandonment or renunciation of one’s loyalty to the

government of the Philippines or advocating to overthrow the
present administration 


ETHICAL STANDARD
 

Refers to the conduct and behavior governing a group, a class,

or organization.


GIFT


Refers to the thing or right disposed gratuitously, or any act of

liberty in favor of another who accepts it, and shall include a
simulated sale or ostensibly onerous disposition thereof.


INCOMPETENCY


It is manifested by 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 to perform the
duties of peace officers.


MALFEASANCE


The commission of an act that one is prohibited to do or

performance of some act which ought not to be done. It is the
doing either through ignorance, inattention or malice, of that
which the officer had no legal right to do at all, as when he acts
without any authority whatsoever, or exceeds, ignores or
abuses his powers.


MISFEASANCE


Otherwise known as “irregularities in the performance of duties”

 


The improper or incorrect performance of an act that should be

done or performed



Improper performance of some act which might be lawfully be

done or the performance of a lawful act in an unlawfully or
culpably negligent manner.


NON-FEASANCE or Neglect of Duty



The failure to perform an act or duty that is part of one’s

obligation without sufficient excuse



Performance of some act which is unlawful or wrongful or which

one has specially contracted not to perform or it sometimes
called official misconduct.


MORALS AND MORALITY



It refers to what is judged as good conduct. The term moral is

also used to describe someone who has the capacity to make
value judgments and discernment from wrong.


MOONLIGHTING

 An act of a member of a PNP pursuing or following any calling
or occupation or the act of engaging in any business, which
includes but not limited to all activities, jobs, work and similar
functions, performed, engaged in, or undertaken by him, in or
off duty hours with or without compensation, which is
inconsistent or incompatible with the PNP duties and or
functions.


 
OPPRESSION


The act of cruelty, severity, unlawful execution or excessive use

authority.


POLICE CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS



A set of norms and standards practiced by members during

social and other functions.


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.


POLICE ETHICS


It is the principal science that treats the principle of human

morality and duty as applied to law enforcement.

 
PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT


It refers to the set of the behavioral standards governing a

particular profession or professionals.


 ETHICS

 The science of the morality of human acts

 Is the study of standards of custody and moral
judgment. Oftentimes it is referred to as the moral
philosophy. It is a science that deals with the philosophical
study of morality.
 Study and philosophy of human conduct, emphasizing the
determination of right and wrong or to the basic principles of
right action
 The study and analysis of what constitutes good or bad
conduct.
 Science of the morality of man.
 Derived from the Latin word, ethos, which means customary,
behavior or moral. The two Latin words “ethicus” and
Greek “ethikos” have the same meaning which customary.
 

TWO DIVISIONS OF ETHICS

1. GENERAL ETHICS

 the study of the general principles of morality

1. SPECIAL ETHICS

 the study of the application of the general principles of morality;

included in this division is the category of professional ethics
 
PROFESSIONAL ETHICS

 a set of moral code to which every profession must subscribe

 guides the professional where the law is silent or inadequate
 
POLICE ETHICS

 an example of professional ethics

 a practical science that treats the principle of human morality
and duty as applied to law enforcement.
 
MORALITY
 The quality which makes an act good or bad, good or evil, right
or wrong.
 Morality comes from the Latin word "mores" which signifies
conduct and refers to behavior of people, which is valuable and
which enhance dignity of the individual.
 
WHAT IS MORALE?

 Morale deals on personal dignity. It pertains to manners relates

to, deals with or capable of making the distinction between right
and wrong conduct.
 

MORAL DISTINCTIONS
“Classification of actions according to the norms of morality”

1. Moral -           good or rightful actions

2. Immoral -       bad or wrongful actions
3. Amoral -          neither good nor bad actions (indifferent)
 

Moral Actions

 Are those actions which are in conformity with the norm of

morality.
Immoral Actions

 Are those actions which are not in conformity with the norm of
morality.
Amoral Actions

 Are those actions which stand neutral in relation to the norm of

morality. Amoral refers to "having or showing no concern about
whether behavior is morally right or wrong"—compendiously,
"without morals." For example, an infant, unlearned in what is
right and wrong, is amoral; someone who lacks the mental
ability to understand right or wrong due to illness might be
described as amoral. These are illustrative examples,
however; amoral can be used to describe any person, or his or
her actions, who is aware of what is right and wrong but does
wrong anyway and responds indifferently about it.
 

HUMAN ACTS

 Acts that are done knowingly, deliberately and freely. 

ELEMENTS OF HUMAN ACTS
KNOWINGLY

 when the person fully understands what he is doing and has the
ability to appreciate the consequences of his actions
DELIBERATELY

 when the person did his actions intentionally 

FREELY

 when the person performed his actions voluntarily.

 

Voluntariness came from the Latin word “voluntas” referring to the

“Will”. Voluntariness is essential to an act.

 Perfect voluntariness is present in a person who fully knows

and fully intends an act.
 Imperfect voluntariness is present in a person act without fully
realizing what he means to do, or without fully intending the act.
Ignorance

 A modifier of human act

 Absence of knowledge which a person ought to posses
 

“Ignorance of the law excuses no one”

 Implies that no one should not act in the state of ignorance and
that no one who has done wrong may not claim ignorance as a
defense.

VIOLATION OF LAW


It presupposes conviction in any court of any crime or offense

penalized under the Revised Penal Code or any special laws or
ordinances.


VALUES 
 

 anything that a person considers important in life, such as

material things, ideas and experiences
 

KINDS OF VALUES
1. BIOLOGICAL VALUES

 those that are necessary for survival, such as food, shelter,

clothing, sex, water, sleep
 include the physiological needs of man as man

1. PSYCHOLOGICAL VALUES

 those are that are necessary for emotional fulfillment of man,

such as relationships, companionship, family, friendships, love

1. INTELLECTUAL VALUES

 those that are necessary for the intellectual fulfillment of man,

such as achievements, career, success

1. MORAL VALUES

 those that are necessary for the spiritual fulfillment of man

 

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
7)         Truthfulness
 

What Does the PNP Core Values States?

The PNP Core Values states that the police service is a noble
profession and demands from its members specialized knowledge
and skills and high standards of ethics and morality. In this regard,
the members of the PNP must adhere to and internalize the
enduring core values of:

1. Love of God
 This is very essential because it makes a man more governable
and ethics, knowing what is right or wrong. It gives him hope for
the future-salvation. In Islam, it is the submission to the- will of
Allah. As the late Pres. Quezon once said, "have faith in the
Divine Providence who guides the destinies of men and
nation."

1. Respect for Authority

 Everyone must obey the state authorities because no authority

exists without God’s permission, and the existing authorities
have been put there by God. Whoever opposes the existing
authority opposes what God has ordered, and anyone who
does so will bring judgment on himself. For rulers are not to be
feared by those who do good, but by those who do evil.

1. Respects for Women and Sanctity of Marriage

 If you love someone, you will never do him wrong. Love does
not consist in gazing at each other but in looking together in the
same direction. Self-control in marriage is imperative for without
it, havoc will ensue.

1. Responsible Dominion and Stewardship over Material

Things

 Our "needs" are few and easily satisfied while our "wants" are
many and seldom satisfied. To stay within limits, one must
strive to regulate "needs" to limit "wants." While man exercise
dominion or control over the earth, even to some extent of
controlling the very forces of nature to serve his needs, he has
still the responsibility to keep his environment free from wanton
destruction and degradation. The earth's fragile ecosystem
needs protection and its nonrenewable resources need
conservation. In a sense, man, while dominant specie over all
other creatures, is not the sole owner of this planet. He is only a
“steward" or a "caretaker" for the coming generations. No one
owns the land forever, it eventually passes on to others to
enjoy.  This holds true in most life's transactions. A Law
enforcer does not have absolute power but is limited bylaws,
rules and regulations. He gives service not served, and he
protects the people and not oppresses them. Government in
itself is a custodian of people's power, not supreme machinery
for imposing its will on the public.
1. Truthfulness

 It is the state of being truthful wherein a person is sincere,

genuine, and honest in agreement. With a standard, rule, etc.,
and conforms to fact or reality.

STANDARD BEHAVIOR
 Behavior - any act of person which is observable; any
observable responses of a person to his environment; manner
of ones conduct.
 Human Behavior - the acts, attitudes and performances of
flesh and blood individuals according to their environment;
properly the subject matter of psychology.
 Psychology - the science that studies behavior and mental
processes.
 Personality - that which distinguishes and characterizes a
person.
 

The Two Basic Factors Affecting Behavior

 Heredity/Biological Factors (nature) - are those that

explained by heredity, the characteristics of a person acquired
from birth transferred from one generation to another. It
explains that certain emotional aggression, our intelligence,
ability and potentials and our physical appearance are inherited.
   Environmental Factors (nurture) – refers to anything around
the person that influences his actions. Some environmental
factors are:

1. The family background is a basic consideration because it is

in the family whereby an individual first experiences how to
relate and interact with another. The family is said to be the
cradle of personality development as a result of either a close
or harmonious relationship or a pathogenic family structure: the
disturbed family, broken family, separated or maladjusted
relations.
2. The influences of childhood trauma, which affect the feeling
of security of a child undergoing development, processes. The
development processes are being blocked sometimes by
parental deprivation as a consequence of parents or luck of
adequate maturing at home because of parental rejection, over-
 protection, restrictiveness, over permissiveness, and faulty
discipline.
3. Pathogenic family structure – those families associated with
high frequency of problems such as:
4. The inadequate family – characterized by the inability to cope
with the ordinary problems of family living. It lacks the
resources, physical or psychological, for meeting the demands
of family satisfaction.
5. The anti-social family – those that espouses unacceptable
values as a result of the influence of parents to their children.
6. The discordant/disturbed family – characterized by
unsatisfaction of one or both parent from the relationship that
may express feeling of frustration. This is usually due to value
differences as common sources of conflict and dissatisfaction.
7. The disrupted family – characterized by incompleteness
whether as a result of death, divorce, separation or some other
circumstances.
8. Institutional influences such as: peer groups, mass media,
church and school, government institutions, NGO’s, etc.
9. Socio-cultural factors such as war and violence, group
prejudice and discrimination, economic and employment
problems and other social changes.
10. Nutrition or the quality of food that a person intake is also a
factor that influence man to commit crime because poverty is
one of the many reasons to criminal behavior.
 
 

The Psychology of Crime (Criminal Psychology)

Formula of Criminal behavior
In explaining the birth of a criminal act or criminal behavior, we
must thus consider three factors: criminalistic tendencies (T), the
total situation (S), and the person’s mental and emotional
resistance to temptation (R). These factors then can be put into a
formula as:
C = T + S               where C – Crime/Criminal Behavior (the act)
          R                   T – Criminal Tendency    (Desire/Intent)
                                  S – Total Situation              (Opportunity)    
                                 R – Resistance to temptation     (Control)
NORMAL AND ABNORMAL BEHAVIORS
The Types of Behavior:

1. Normal Behavior – the standard behavior, the socially

accepted behavior because they follow the standard norms of
society.
2. Abnormal behavior – behaviors that are deviant from social
expectations because they go against the norms or standard
behavior of society.
* Normal and abnormal behaviors depend relatively on the culture
of people since a normal behavior to one society may not be
accepted or allowed to other societies or individuals.
What is normal behavior?
       Understanding criminal behavior includes the idea of knowing
who is a normal from an abnormal one.  A normal person is
characterized by his efficient perception of reality, self-knowledge,
ability to exercise voluntary control over his behavior, self-esteem
and acceptance, productivity and his ability to form affectionate
relationship with others.
Understanding criminal behavior includes the idea of knowing what
characterized a normal person from an abnormal one.
 

Who are abnormal?

       When a person fails to meet the criteria enumerated above, he
is deemed to be an abnormal person. 
“Man was born with rights and duties and having rights is an
attribute of a person.” That is why we have Commission on Human
Rights that addresses violations of such rights.
“We insist on our rights but ignore our duties.
"Duties however are more fundamental than rights"
The duty to do good and to avoid evil is above all rights.
 

RIGHT
 Objectively: It is anything that is owed or due
 Subjectively: that is, residing in a person, right is a moral power,
bound to be respected by others, of doing, possessing, or
requiring something.
 something to which a person has a just and lawful claim
 anything that a person can lawfully demand
 

HUMAN RIGHTS

 rights pertaining to the rights of man

 rights inherent to man by virtue of being a human being
 are the supreme, inherent and inalienable rights to life, dignity
and to self-development
 

BASIC HUMAN RIGHTS

1. RIGHT TO LIFE

      Exceptions:

 self-defense
 death under exceptional circumstances
 death penalty

1. RIGHT TO LIBERTY

      Exceptions:

 for reasons of public health and public safety

 penalty for commission of a crime
 circumstances of warrantless arrests

1. RIGHT TO PROPERTY

      Exceptions:

 circumstances of warrantless search

 by virtue of court order
 

BILL OF RIGHTS

 a list of individual liberties, freedom and rights which are

guaranteed and protected under Article III of the 1987
Philippine Constitution
 protection of individuals against abuses of the state
 protection of the rights of an accused
 

DUTY

 Objectively: It is anything we are obliged to do or to omit

 Subjectively: It is a moral obligation incumbent upon a person of
doing, omitting or avoiding something.
 Note: Duty is defined by law, any willful neglect of duty makes
the person accountable for such act.
Kinds of Duties

1. Natural Duties
 Are those imposed by natural law such as the duty to care for
our health.

1. Affirmative Duties

 Are those which require the performance of a certain act, such

as casting a ballot during election, applying for a business
license, etc.

1. Positive Duties

 Are those imposed by a human positive law such as the duty to

pay taxes and to observe traffic rules.

1. Negative Duties

 Are those which require the omission of a certain act such as

not carrying illegal firearms, or not destroying the property of
others.

THE “BILL OF RIGHTS”

The bill of rights is a list of rights pertaining to persons.

These rights are recognized, guaranteed, and protected
against invasion, reduction or destruction.
ARTICLE III of the 1987 Philippine Constitution provides for
the bill of rights as follows:
SECTION 1. No person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property
without due process of law, nor shall any person be denied the
equal protection of the laws.
SECTION 2. The right of the people to be secure in their persons,
houses, papers, and effects against unreasonable searches and
seizures of whatever nature and for any purpose shall be
inviolable, and no search warrant or warrant of arrest shall issue
except upon probable cause to be determined personally by the
judge after examination under oath or affirmation of the
complainant and the witnesses he may produce, and particularly
describing the place to be searched and the persons or things to
be seized.
SECTION 3. (1) The privacy of communication and
correspondence shall be inviolable except upon lawful order of the
court, or when public safety or order requires otherwise as
prescribed by law.
(2) Any evidence obtained in violation of this or the preceding
section shall be inadmissible for any purpose in any proceeding.
SECTION 4. No law shall be passed abridging the freedom of
speech, of expression, or of the press, or the right of the people
peaceably to assemble and petition the government for redress of
grievances.
SECTION 5. No law shall be made respecting an establishment of
religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof. The free exercise
and enjoyment of religious profession and worship, without
discrimination or preference, shall forever be allowed. No religious
test shall be required for the exercise of civil or political rights.
SECTION 6. The liberty of abode and of changing the same within
the limits prescribed by law shall not be impaired except upon
lawful order of the court. Neither shall the right to travel be
impaired except in the interest of national security, public safety, or
public health, as may be provided by law.
SECTION 7. The right of the people to information on matters of
public concern shall be recognized. Access to official records, and
to documents, and papers pertaining to official acts, transactions,
or decisions, as well as to government research data used as
basis for policy development, shall be afforded the citizen, subject
to such limitations as may be provided by law.
SECTION 8. The right of the people, including those employed in
the public and private sectors, to form unions, associations, or
societies for purposes not contrary to law shall not be abridged.
SECTION 9. Private property shall not be taken for public use
without just compensation.
SECTION 10. No law impairing the obligation of contracts shall be
passed.
SECTION 11. Free access to the courts and quasi-judicial bodies
and adequate legal assistance shall not be denied to any person
by reason of poverty.
SECTION 12. (1) Any person under investigation for the
commission of an offense shall have the right to be informed of his
right to remain silent and to have competent and independent
counsel preferably of his own choice. If the person cannot afford
the services of counsel, he must be provided with one. These
rights cannot be waived except in writing and in the presence of
counsel.
(2) No torture, force, violence, threat, intimidation, or any other
means which vitiate the free will shall be used against him. Secret
detention places, solitary, incommunicado, or other similar forms of
detention are prohibited.
(3) Any confession or admission obtained in violation of this or
Section 17 hereof shall be inadmissible in evidence against him.
(4) The law shall provide for penal and civil sanctions for violations
of this section as well as compensation to and rehabilitation of
victims of torture or similar practices, and their families.
SECTION 13. All persons, except those charged with offenses
punishable by reclusion perpetua when evidence of guilt is strong,
shall, before conviction, be bailable by sufficient sureties, or be
released on recognizance as may be provided by law. The right to
bail shall not be impaired even when the privilege of the writ of
habeas corpus is suspended. Excessive bail shall not be required.
SECTION 14. (1) No person shall be held to answer for a criminal
offense without due process of law.
(2) In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall be presumed
innocent until the contrary is proved, and shall enjoy the right to be
heard by himself and counsel, to be informed of the nature and
cause of the accusation against him, to have a speedy, impartial,
and public trial, to meet the witnesses face to face, and to have
compulsory process to secure the attendance of witnesses and the
production of evidence in his behalf. However, after arraignment,
trial may proceed notwithstanding the absence of the accused
provided that he has been duly notified and his failure to appear is
unjustifiable.
SECTION 15. The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not
be suspended except in cases of invasion or rebellion when the
public safety requires it.
SECTION 16. All persons shall have the right to a speedy
disposition of their cases before all judicial, quasi-judicial, or
administrative bodies.
SECTION 17. No person shall be compelled to be a witness
against himself.
SECTION 18. (1) No person shall be detained solely by reason of
his political beliefs and aspirations.
(2) No involuntary servitude in any form shall exist except as a
punishment for a crime whereof the party shall have been duly
convicted.
SECTION 19. (1) Excessive fines shall not be imposed, nor cruel,
degrading or inhuman punishment inflicted. Neither shall death
penalty be imposed, unless, for compelling reasons involving
heinous crimes, the Congress hereafter provides for it. Any death
penalty already imposed shall be reduced to reclusion perpetua.
(2) The employment of physical, psychological, or degrading
punishment against any prisoner or detainee or the use of
substandard or inadequate penal facilities under subhuman
conditions shall be dealt with by law.
SECTION 20. No person shall be imprisoned for debt or non-
payment of a poll tax.

SECTION 21. No person shall be twice put in jeopardy of

punishment for the same offense. If an act is punished by a law
and an ordinance, conviction or acquittal under either shall
constitute a bar to another prosecution for the same act.
SECTION 22. No ex post facto law or bill of attainder shall be
enacted.

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7438

APRIL 27, 1992
AN ACT DEFINING CERTAIN RIGHTS OF PERSON
ARRESTED, DETAINED OR UNDER CUSTODIAL
INVESTIGATION AS WELL AS THE DUTIES OF THE
 ARRESTING, DETAINING AND INVESTIGATING OFFICERS,
AND PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS THEREOF
Section 2. Rights of Persons Arrested, Detained or Under
Custodial Investigation; Duties of Public Officers. –
(a) Any person arrested detained or under custodial investigation
shall at all times be assisted by counsel.
(b) Any public officer or employee, or anyone acting under his
order or his place, who arrests, detains or investigates any person
for the commission of an offense shall inform the latter, in a
language known to and understood by him, of his rights to remain
silent and to have competent and independent counsel, preferably
of his own choice, who shall at all times be allowed to confer
privately with the person arrested, detained or under custodial
investigation. If such person cannot afford the services of his own
counsel, he must be provided with a competent and independent
counsel by the investigating officer.
(c) The custodial investigation report shall be reduced to writing by
the investigating officer, provided that before such report is signed,
or thumb marked if the person arrested or detained does not know
how to read and write, it shall be read and adequately explained to
him by his counsel or by the assisting counsel provided by the
investigating officer in the language or dialect known to such
arrested or detained person, otherwise, such investigation report
shall be null and void and of no effect whatsoever.
(d) Any extrajudicial confession made by a person arrested,
detained or under custodial investigation shall be in writing and
signed by such person in the presence of his counsel or in the
latter's absence, upon a valid waiver, and in the presence of any of
the parents, elder brothers and sisters, his spouse, the municipal
mayor, the municipal judge, district school supervisor, or priest or
minister of the gospel as chosen by him; otherwise, such
extrajudicial confession shall be inadmissible as evidence in any
proceeding.
(e) Any waiver by a person arrested or detained under the
provisions of Article 125 of the Revised Penal Code, or under
custodial investigation, shall be in writing and signed by such
person in the presence of his counsel; otherwise the waiver shall
be null and void and of no effect.
(f) Any person arrested or detained or under custodial investigation
shall be allowed visits by or conferences with any member of his
immediate family, or any medical doctor or priest or religious
minister chosen by him or by any member of his immediate family
or by his counsel, or by any national non-governmental
organization duly accredited by the Commission on Human Rights
of by any international non-governmental organization duly
accredited by the Office of the President. The person's "immediate
family" shall include his or her spouse, fiancé or fiancée, parent or
child, brother or sister, grandparent or grandchild, uncle or aunt,
nephew or niece, and guardian or ward.
As used in this Act, "custodial investigation" shall include the
practice of issuing an "invitation" to a person who is investigated in
connection with an offense he is suspected to have committed,
without prejudice to the liability of the "inviting" officer for any
violation of law.

RULE 115 of REVISED RULES ON CRIMINAL

PROCEDURE
Rights of Accused
Section 1. Rights of accused at the trial. — In all criminal
prosecutions, the accused shall be entitled to the following rights:
(a) To be presumed innocent until the contrary is proved beyond
reasonable doubt.
(b) To be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation
against him.
(c) To be present and defend in person and by counsel at every
stage of the proceedings, from arraignment to promulgation of the
judgment. The accused may, however, waive his presence at the
trial pursuant to the stipulations set forth in his bail, unless his
presence is specifically ordered by the court for purposes of
identification. The absence of the accused without justifiable cause
at the trial of which he had notice shall be considered a waiver of
his right to be present thereat. When an accused under custody
escapes, he shall be deemed to have waived his right to be
present on all subsequent trial dates until custody over him is
regained. Upon motion, the accused may be allowed to defend
himself in person when it sufficiently appears to the court that he
can properly protect his right without the assistance of counsel.
(d) To testify as a witness in his own behalf but subject to cross-
examination on matters covered by direct examination. His silence
shall not in any manner prejudice him.
(e) To be exempt from being compelled to be a witness against
himself.
(f) To confront and cross-examine the witnesses against him at the
trial. Either party may utilize as part of its evidence the testimony of
a witness who is deceased, out of or can not with due diligence be
found in the Philippines, unavailable or otherwise unable to testify,
given in another case or proceeding, judicial or administrative,
involving the same parties and subject matter, the adverse party
having the opportunity to cross-examine him.
(g) To have compulsory process issued to secure the attendance
of witnesses and production of other evidence in his behalf.
(h) To have speedy, impartial and public trial.
(i) To appeal in all cases allowed and in the manner prescribed by
law.
THE USEFULNESS OF A CODE OF ETHICS
              Codes are like firearms; they have their value and they
have their dangers. One of the more interesting questions to ask is
why police created a code of ethics in the first place. It may be that
codes contain historically important clues to the contextual
mandates for policing, but more often than not, they represent
aspirations toward the future without any clear directions for how to
get from one place (the past) to another (the future).

            Originally the code below was developed by the California

Peace Officers Association and later was adopted by the
International Association of Chiefs of Police in 1957.
 

LAW ENFORCEMENT CODE OF ETHICS

              The Law Enforcement Code of Ethics is such a guide. If
one really studies this code, it will soon become evident that
adhering to it presents no easy task, for it involves mastering one's
own human nature, and this is never an easy goal to attain. Any
one reading the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics will agree with its
basic message, and they will accept its basic context as being
commensurate with professional standards. Although the Code of
Ethics was introduced in 1954, it is not a new concept to the field
of law enforcement. Sir Robert Peel of England Metropolitan
Police in 1829 introduced the following Principles which might be
considered as a version of Code of Ethics:
PRINCIPLE 1: “The basic mission for which the police exist is to
prevent crime and disorder.”
PRINCIPLE 2: “The ability of the police to perform their duties is
dependent upon public approval of police actions.”
PRINCIPLE 3: “Police must secure the willing cooperation of the
public in voluntary observance of the law to be able to secure and
maintain the respect of the public.”
PRINCIPLE 4: “The degree of cooperation of the public that can
be secured diminishes proportionately to the necessity of the use
of physical force.”
PRINCIPLE 5: “Police seek and preserve public favor not by
catering to the public opinion but by constantly demonstrating
absolute impartial service to the law.”
PRINCIPLE 6: “Police use physical force to the extent necessary
to secure observance of the law or to restore order only when the
exercise of persuasion, advice and warning is found to be
insufficient.”
PRINCIPLE 7: “Police, at all times, should maintain a relationship
with the public that gives reality to the historic tradition that the
police are the public and the public are the police; the police being
only members of the public who are paid to give full-time attention
to duties which are incumbent on every citizen in the interests of
community welfare and existence.”
PRINCIPLE 8: “Police should always direct their action strictly
towards their functions and never appear to usurp the powers of
the judiciary.”
PRINCIPLE 9: “The test of police efficiency is the absence of
crime and disorder, not the visible evidence of police action in
dealing with it.”

THE LAW ENFORCEMENT CODE OF ETHICS

 

As a Law Enforcement Officer, my fundamental

duty is to serve mankind; to safeguard lives 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 the regulations of my department.
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 decisions. With no compromise for
crime and with relentless prosecution of criminals, 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.
 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 the police
service. I will constantly strive to achieve these
objectives and ideals, dedicating myself before God
to my chosen profession… law enforcement.
1. Primordial Police Responsibility

 The primary responsibility of the police is crime prevention,

commit his life to defend and protect the rights of the citizen,
and uphold the law at all cost.

1. Limitation of Police Authority

 Policeman as an upholder of the law must know its limitations

upon him in enforcing the laws
 Laws set limits to the power of the police
 Police officers are not exempted from obeying the laws they are
enforcing

1. Knowledge of the Law and other Responsibilities

 Police officers are expected to know and understand the laws

they are enforcing
 Police officers must fully understand their duties and
responsibilities as police officers
 Police officers must know and fully understand the relationship
of the PNP organization with other law enforcement agencies
and other government agencies

1. Use of Proper Means to Obtain Proper Ends

 Police officers must only employ legal methods in the conduct

of their work
 The employment of illegal methods, no matter how worthy the
end, is certain to encourage disrespect for the law and its
officer.
 If the law is to be honored, it must first be honored by those
who enforce it.

1. Cooperation with Public Officials

 Police officers must cooperate with other public officials and

government agencies in the performance of authorized duties.

1. Proper Conduct and Behavior

 Police officers must always observe proper conduct and

behavior both in their personal and official life.
 The policeman shall be mindful of his special identification by
the public as an upholder of law.
 The community and the service requires that the policeman
leads the life of decent and honorable person, following the
career of policeman gives him no special pre requisite.

1. Conduct towards the Community

 Police officers must never forget that they are public servants
and shall be mindful of his responsibility to the community.
 He shall deal with individuals of the community in the manner
calculated to instill respect for its law.
 He shall conduct himself in a manner that will inspire
confidence and trust.

1. Conduct in Arresting Law Violators

 Policeman shall use his powers and authority to arrest in

accordance with the law
 Police officers must always adhere to the prescribed rules when
effecting arrests of suspects
 He shall, at all times, have a clear appreciation of his
responsibilities and limitation regarding the detention of the
suspect.
 He shall conduct himself in such a manner as will minimize the
possibility of having to use force.

1. Firmness in Refusing Gifts

 Police officers must never ask nor accept gifts or special favors,
large or small, which can the public mind, be interpreted as
 capable of influencing his judgement in the discharge of his
official duties.

1. Impartial Presentation of Evidence  

 Police officers must be fair in presenting evidence. Policeman

shall be concerned equally in the prosecution of the accused in
the defense of the innocent.
 He shall ascertain what kind of evidence and shall present such
evidence impartially and without malice.

1. Attitude towards Police Profession

 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 and skills
in order be the best police officers that they can be. The
acquisition of knowledge is a never ending process of personal
and professional development that should be pursued
constantly.

POLICE PRINCIPLES
 

The following are the professional police principles:

1. Prevention of Crime and Disorder

 It is the primary objective of the police to prevent crime and

disorder.

1. Cooperation of the Community

 The police is dependent upon community support.

 The police must secure willing cooperation of the community in
the voluntary observance of the law to be able to secure and
maintain the respect and support of the community.

1. Unreasonable Force Reduces Community Cooperation

 The use of unreasonable force on the part of the police

negatively affects the desire of the people to cooperate with the
police.
 A police officer will never employ unnecessary force or violence
and will use only such force in the discharge of duty as in
reasonable in all circumstances.
 Force should be used only with the greatest restraint and only
after discussion, negotiation and persuasion have been found
to be inappropriate or ineffective. While the use of force is
occasionally unavoidable, every police officer will refrain from
unnecessary infliction of pain or suffering and will never engage
in cruel, degrading or inhuman treatment of the person.

1. Use of Reasonable Force when Persuasion is not Sufficient

 The police may only use force when dialogue, advise and
warning is no longer effective and the degree of force to be
used must be reasonable
 No violence or unnecessary force shall be subject to any
greater restrain than is necessary for his detention.

1. Impartial Enforcement of Laws

 The police must be fair in enforcing the laws

1. The Community are the Police

 The police and the community are dependent on each other

and must work hand in hand to prevent crimes
 The police at all times should maintain relationship with the
community that gives really to the historic tradition that the
police are the community and the community are the police.

1. Police should not Usurp Judicial Power

 The police has no power or authority to decide whether a

suspect is guilty or innocent of a crime because only the court
has this power

1. Rules of Engagement Impartially Observed

 The police must always adhere to the prescribed procedures in

the performance of their duty.

1. Reduction of Crime and Disorder

 The effectiveness of the police is measured through the ability
of the police to reduce crime and disorder and not by evidence
of police presence and actions in dealing with the community.

1. Police Discretion

 The police must never abuse the police discretion granted to

them.
 A police officer will use responsibility discretion vested in the
position and exercise it within the limits prescribed by the law.

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
7)         Truthfulness
 

What Does the PNP Core Values States?

The PNP Core Values states that the police service is a noble
profession and demands from its members specialized knowledge
and skills and high standards of ethics and morality. In this regard,
the members of the PNP must adhere to and internalize the
enduring core values of:

1. Love of God

This is very essential because it makes a man more governable

and ethics, knowing what is right or wrong. It gives him hope for
the future-salvation. In Islam, it is the submission to the- will of
Allah. As the late Pres. Quezon once said, "have faith in the
Divine Providence who guides the destinies of men and
nation."

1. Respect for Authority

Everyone must obey the state authorities because no authority
exists without God’s permission, and the existing
authorities have been put there by God. Whoever opposes the
existing authority opposes what God has ordered, and anyone who
does so will bring judgment on himself. For rulers are not to be
feared by those who do good, but by those who do evil.

1. Respects for Women and Sanctity of Marriage

If you love someone, you will never do him wrong. Love does not
consist in gazing at each other but in looking together in the same
direction. Self-control in marriage is imperative for without it, havoc
will ensue.

1. Responsible Dominion and Stewardship over Material

Things
Our "needs" are few and easily satisfied while our "wants" are
many and seldom satisfied. To stay within limits, one must strive to
regulate "needs" to limit "wants." While man exercise dominion or
control over the earth, even to some extent of controlling the very
forces of nature to serve his needs, he has still the responsibility to
keep his environment free from wanton destruction and
degradation. The earth's fragile ecosystem needs protection and
its nonrenewable resources need conservation. In a sense, man,
while dominant specie over all other creatures, is not the sole
owner of this planet. He is only a “steward" or a "caretaker" for the
coming generations. No one owns the land forever, it eventually
passes on to others to enjoy.  This holds true in most life's
transactions. A Law enforcer does not have absolute power but is
limited bylaws, rules and regulations. He gives service not served,
and he protects the people and not oppresses them. Government
in itself is a custodian of people's power, not supreme machinery
for imposing its will on the public.

1. Truthfulness

It is the state of being truthful wherein a person is sincere,

genuine, and honest in agreement. With a standard, rule, etc., and
conforms to fact or reality.
  
 
 POLICE OFFICER’S 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

What is an Image?
An image is a mental picture of something of a conception, idea, or
an impression.
What should be the 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 manner that would not place the PNP in an ad light. Instead,
they should live in:
 

1. Virtues
2. Honor
3. Integrity
4. Valor
5. Justice
6. Honesty
7. Humility
8. Charity
9. Loyalty to the service
 
What is Professionalism?
Professionalism, which also means Service, refers to the
commitment, dignity, and attitude of an individual towards work
and his integrity and practice of the Core Moral Value principles.
It is the proper application of specialized skills based on an
organized body by knowledge and in accordance with laws and/or
Code of Ethics with the highest degree of excellence in the
accomplishment of the objectives.
What is Career Management in the PNP?
Career management is the key to professionalism. Its improper
implementation will greatly prejudice the personnel
professionalization process as regard to procurement, promotion,
assignment, placement, and training, awards and retirement.
To address this flaws, the PNP shall formulate a stringent policy
and strictly implement the human resources development system
compatible to the equitable distribution of procurement, fair
promotion, rationalized approach in assignment, skills
development, immediate grant of award and reward, and decent
living upon retirement.
What is the Concept of Equality in the Police Service?
There should be a judicious and equitable distribution of
opportunity to prove one's worth in the police service. The problem
on equity through class orientation and factionalism both real and
perceived, promised or favored assignment, inequitable
opportunity of training, unfair granting or promotion, and untimely
awarding of achievements will create an atmosphere of
demoralization.
 The result is inefficiency and lack of teamwork to the detriment of
the organization. It behooves, therefore, on the PNP Leadership to
address the situation. The civilian character of the organization
requires adherence to the rule of merit and fitness system, and to
disassociate the above process from class orientation and
factionalism.
What is Delicadeza?
Delicadeza is the state of affairs requiring tact to protect the
integrity of a person.
How Could Delicadeza be practiced in the Police Service?
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 the time-honored principle of
delicadeza.
What should be the Police Lifestyle while in the Service?
The PNP shall endeavor to promote a lifestyle for every member of
the organization that is acceptable and respectable in the eyes of
the public.
Further, its members should set good example to the subordinates’
and follow good example from the superiors. They must be free
from greed, corruption, and exploitation. The public expects a
police officer to live a simple, yet credible and dignified life.
What is Political Patronage?
Political patronage is soliciting influence or recommendations
directly or indirectly from politicians or other persons of the same
person.
Should PNP Members Solicit Political Patronage?
All PNP members must inhibit themselves from soliciting political
patronage in matters pertaining to assignment, awards, training,
and promotion.
Should PNP Members Respect Human Rights?
All PNP members must respect and protect human dignity and
man's desirable rights to life, liberty, and property.                       
Since the country is signatory in the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights, and other preparations, the PNP is bound to
protect these rights.
How Should PNP Members Perform Their Duties?
          All PNP members shall perform their duties with excellence.
Competence, integrity, intelligence, and expertise in the application
of standardized skills and technical knowledge must be observed
at all times.
Setting  Example-  All  PNP  members  shall  set  good  example 
to  their subordinates and follow good example from the superiors.

PNP PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT AND ETHICAL

STANDARDS
 

Standard of Police Professionalism

All PNP personnel shall perform duties with excellence,
competence, integrity, intelligence, and expertise in the application
of specialized skill and technical knowledge.
 
Police Professional Conduct
All members of the PNP shall observe the following professional
conduct:

1. Commitment to Democracy

Uniformed PNP members commit themselves to democratic way

of life and values and maintain the principle of public
accountability. They shall at all times uphold the Constitution and
be loyal to our country, people, and organization, above loyalty to
any person or organization. The principle of democracy, states that
the government of the people, by the people, and for the people.
The real power and authority in the governance of the nation
operates from its citizens.

1. Commitment to Public Interest

All PNP members shall always uphold public interest over and

above personal interest. All government properties, resources,
and powers of their respective offices must be employed and used
effectively, honestly, and efficiently, particularly to avoid wastage
of public funds and revenues.

1. Non-Partisanship

All PNP members shall provide services to everyone without

discrimination regardless of party affiliation in accordance of
existing laws and regulations.

1. Physical Fitness and Health

All PNP members shall strive to be physically and mentally fit,

and in good health at all times. Towards this end, they shall
undergo regular physical exercises and annual medical
examination in any PNP hospital or medical facility.

1. Secrecy and Discipline

All PNP members shall guard the confidentiality of classified

information against unauthorized disclosure, including
confidential aspects of official business, special orders,
communications, and other documents, roster or any portion
hereof of the PNP, contents of criminal records, identities of
persons who may have given information to the police in
confidence and other classified information or intelligence material.

1. Social Awareness

All PNP members and their immediate family members shall

be encouraged to actively get involved in the religion, social
and civic activities to enhance the image of the
organization but without affecting their official duties.

1. Non-Solicitation of Patronage

All PNP members shall seek self-improvement through career

development and shall not directly or indirectly solicit
influence or recommendation from politicians, high ranking
government officials, prominent citizens, persons affiliated
with civic or religious organization with regard to their
assignment, promotions, transfer or those of other members
of the force, nor shall they initiate any petition to be prepared and
presented by citizens in their behalf.        
 Moreover, they shall advise their immediate relatives to interfere
in the activities of the police service, particularly in the assignment
and reassignment of personnel.

1. Proper Care and Use of Public Property

All PNP members’ shall be responsible for the security, proper

care, and used of public property issued to them and/or deposited
under their care and custody. Unauthorized use of public property
for personal convenience or gain and that on their families, friends,
prohibited.

1. Respect for Human Rights

All PNP members in the performance of duty shall respect and

protect human dignity and uphold the human rights of persons. No
members should inflict, instigate or tolerate extra-judicial killings,
arbitrary arrest, any act of torture or other cruel or degrading
treatment or punishment, and shall not invoke superior orders or
exceptional circumstances such as state-of-war, a threat to
national security, internal political instability or any public
emergency as a justification for committing such human rights
violation.

1. Devotion to Duty

All PNP members 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 servant.

1. Conservation of Natural Resources

All PNP members shall help in the development and conservation

of our natural resources for ecological balance and posterity, as
these are the inalienable heritage of or people.

1. Discipline

All PNP members shall conduct themselves at all times in keeping

with the rules and regulations of the organization.

1. Loyalty

All PNP members must be loyal to the Constitution of the police

service as manifested by their loyalty to their superiors, peers and
subordinates as well.

1. Obedience to Superiors

All PNP members shall obey lawful orders and be courteous to

superior officers and other appropriate authorities within the chain
of command.

1. Command Responsibility

In accordance with the Doctrine of Command

Responsibility, immediate commanders shall be responsible
for the effective supervision, control and direction or their
personnel and see to it that all government resources shall be
managed, expended or utilized in accordance with laws and
regulations and safeguarded against losses thru illegal or improper
disposition.

PNP ETHICAL STANDARDS

Ethical standards shall refer to established and generally accepted
moral values. Ethical acts to be observed are the following:
1. Morality

 PNP members shall adhere to high standards of morality and

decency
and shall set good examples for others to follow. In no instance
during their terms of office, among other things, shall they be
involved as owners, operators, managers or investors in any
house of ill-repute or illegal gambling den or other places
devoted to vices, nor they shall patronize such places unless on
official duty, and tolerate operations of such establishments in
their respective areas of responsibilities. They shall be faithful
to their lawfully wedded spouses.

1. Judicious Use of Authority

 PNP members shall exercise proper and legitimate use of

authority in the performance of duty.

1. Integrity

 PNP members shall not allow themselves to be victims of

corruption and dishonest practices in accordance with the
provisions of RA 6713 and other applicable laws.

1. Justice

 PNP members shall strive constantly to respect the rights of

others so
that they can fulfill their duties and exercise their rights as
human beings, parents, children, citizens, workers, leaders, or
in other capacities and to see to it that others do likewise.

1. Humility

 PNP members shall recognize the fact that they are public
servants and not the masters of the people and towards this
end, they should perform their duties without attracting attention
or expecting the applause of others.

1. Orderliness

 PNP members shall follow original procedures in accomplishing

tasks assigned to them to minimize waste in the use of time,
money and effort.
1. Perseverance

 Once a decision is made, PNP members shall take legitimate

means to achieve the goal even in the face of internal or
external difficulties, and despite anything which might weaken
their resolve in the course of time.

PNP CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS

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.
 
DEFINITION OF TERMS:
Customs

 Established usage or social practices carried on by tradition that

have obtained the force of law.
Traditions

 Bodies of beliefs, stories, customs and usages handed down

from generation to generation with the effect of an unwritten
law.
Courtesy

 A manifestation of expression of consideration and respect for

others.
Ceremony

 A formal act or set of formal acts established by customs or

authority as proper to special occasion.
Social Decorum

 A set of norms and standards practiced by members during

social activities and other functions.
 

POLICE CUSTOMS ON COURTESY

The following are customs on courtesy in the PNP:
Salute

 Salute is the usual greetings rendered by uniformed members

upon meeting and recognizing person entitled to a salute.
Salute to National Color and Standard

 Members stand at attention and salute the national color and

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

COURTESY CALLS
The following are the customs on courtesy calls:
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 courtesy, as well as for
accounting, orientation and other purposes.
Christmas Call

 PNP members pay a Christmas Call on their local executives in

their respective areas of responsibility.
New Year’s Call     

 PNP members pay a New Year’s call on their commanders

and /or key officials in their respective areas of responsibility.
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.
Exit Call

 PNP members pay an Exit Call on their superiors in the unit or

command when relieved or reassigned out of the said unit or
command.
Courtesy of the Post

 The host unit extend hospitality to visiting personnel who pay

respect to the command or unit.
Rank Has -Its -Own Privilege (RHIP)

 PNP members recognize the practice that different ranks carry

with them corresponding privileges.

POLICE CUSTOMS ON CEREMONIES

Flag Raising Ceremony

 PNP members honor the flag by hoisting ii and singing the

National Anthem before the start of the official day’s work.
Flag Lowering Ceremony

 At the end of the official days’ work, the PNP members pause
for a moment to salute the lowering of the flag.
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 PC/INP members are given vigil, necrological services
and graveside honors as a gesture of farewell.
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 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.
Turnover Ceremony

 The relinquishment and assumption of command or key

position is publicly announced in a Turnover Ceremony by the
outgoing and incoming officers in the presence of the
immediate superior or his representative. Outgoing
Commander/Director should not leave his post without proper
turnover. Turn-over includes turnover of properties/equipment,
human and material resources.
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.
Proper Attire           

 PNP members always wear appropriate and proper attire in

conformity with the occasion.
Table Manners

 PNP members observe table etiquette at all times.

Social Graces

 PNP members conduct themselves properly in dealing with

people during social functions.
Uniform/Appearance

 The public looks upon a PNP member as distinctively a man

among men. It is a welcome sight when PNP members wear
their uniform properly wherever they may be. Bulging stomach
is a taboo in the uniformed service. Since disciplined PNP
members are best exemplified by those who are neat in
 appearance and wearing the prescribed uniform, they must
therefore observe the following:

1. Wearing of prescribed uniform.

2. Adherence to haircut prescribed by rules & regulations.
3. Manner of Walking- Every PNP Member is expected to walk
with pride and
 
 

Other Police Customs: 

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.
Survivor Assistance  of  Heir  of  Deceased  Members

 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 the Religious Leaders

 PNP Officers visit religious leaders in their areas of assignment

to establish or maintain rapport and cooperation between the
different religious leaders and the PNP.
Athletics

 PNP members indulge in physical fitness activities o insure that

their proper physical appearance and bearing are smaller than
the size of his chest and in conformity with the standard set
forth by the organization.
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 TRADITION
The following are police traditions:
Spiritual Beliefs

 PNP members are traditionally religious and God-loving person.

They attend religious services together with the members of
their family.
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.
Patriotism

 The PNP members are traditionally patriotic by nature. They

manifest
their love of country with a pledge of allegiance to the flag and a
vow to defend the
Discipline

 The discipline of the PNP members is manifested by instinctive

obedience to lawful orders and thorough and spontaneous
actions towards attainment of organizational objectives guided
by moral, ethical and legal norms.
Gentlemanliness

 PNP members are upright in character, gentle in manners,

dignified in appearance, and sincere in their concern to
fellowmen.
Word of Honor

 PNP members’ word is their bond. They stand by and commit to

uphold it.
Duty

 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.
Loyalty

 PNP members are traditionally loyal to the organization, country

and people as borne by history and practice.
Camaraderie

 The binding spirit that enhances teamwork and cooperation in

the police organization, extending to the people they serve, in
manifested by the PNP members’ deep commitment and
concern for one another.

Article I
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY OF REGISTERED
CRIMINOLOGIST
 The primary responsibility of every person
admitted to the practice of Criminology as a
Registered Criminologist is to bear faithful
allegiance to the Republic of the  Philippines and
be loyal to his profession. They shall accept as a
sacred obligation and responsibility as citizens to
support the Constitution of the Philippines and as
a Registered  Criminologist  to  defend  the 
principles  of  liberty  as  defined  in  the
Constitution and Laws.
 As a Registered Criminologist, they shall strive to
improve their effectiveness by diligent study and
sincere attention to improvement and welcome
the opportunity to disseminate practical and
useful information relating to matters accruing to
the benefit of public safety and welfare.
Article 2
 LIMITATION OF AUTHORITY
 The first duty of a criminologist as upholder of the
law is to know its bounds upon him,  be  aware 
of  limitations  and  prescriptions  and  recognize 
the  system  of government that gives to no man
group or institution absolute power. He must
ensure that he is prime defender of that system
and as such must never pervert its character.
 They shall in the performance of their duty be
just, impartial and reasonable, never according
anyone more preferential treatment than another.
They shall recognize the limitation of their
authority and at no time use the power of their
profession for personal advantage.
Article 3
PRIVATE CONDUCT
 The Registered Criminologist must be mindful of
his special identification by the public as an
upholder of the law. He must never be lax in
conduct or manner in private life, express
disrespect for the law, nor seek to gain special
privilege that would be reflective upon the
profession. He must so conduct his private life
that the public will regard him as an example of
stability fidelity and morality.
 He must  strive  to  elevate  the  standing  of  the 
profession  in  the  public  mind, strengthen public
confidence in law enforcement, develop and
maintain complete support and cooperation of the
public and insure the effectiveness by
 encouraging complete cooperation of members
for their mutual benefit.
Article 4
CONDUCT TOWARDS THE PUBLIC
 The Criminologists  remind  at  all  times  that 
dignity,  fairness  and  a  genuine willingness to
help are essential to their public image and their
ability to do a good  job.
 The Criminologists mindful of their responsibility
to the whole community, deal with individuals of
the community in a manner calculated to instill
respect for its laws and their profession.
 They shall be habitually courteous and accept
their responsibility by being punctual and
expeditious in their engagements and duties.
They shall regard their profession as a public
trust and in the discharge of their duties, bear
constantly in mind their obligation to serve the
public efficiently and effectively.

Article 5
ATTITUDE TOWARDS PROFESSION
 The criminologists shall strive to make the best
application of science to the solution of crime, by
diligent study and sincere attention to self
improvement, and in the fields of human
relationships, strive for effective leadership and
public influence in matters affecting public safety.
 He shall appreciate the importance and
responsibility  of his profession as an honorable
one rendering valuable service to his community
and country. They shall strive to attain certain of
the most withering cross examination particularly
from fellow criminologists and associates.
 He shall avoid outside influence from overzealous
and overanxious clients and his findings shall be
based solely and entirely on logical and scientific
deduction derived from a fair and impartial
examination personally performed by him.
 He must never lose sight of the important fact
that he should no only work for the identification,
apprehension and conviction of criminals, but
must strive with greater if not equal vigor to clear
the innocent.
ARTICLE 6
ATTITUDE TOWARDS FELLOW
CRIMINOLOGISTS
 The Criminologists  shall  strive  constantly  to 
improve  professional  standing  of Criminology
through association with others in the profession
and keeping abreast  with the fast moving world
of science and technology through constant
research and  development.
 He shall cooperate fully with fellow criminologists
regardless of personal prejudice. He should
however, be assured that such action is proper
and in accordance with  law and guard against
the sue of this office or person, knowingly or
unknowingly in  any improper or illegal action. He
 always bear in mind at all times that it is not 
sufficient to be proficient in one's work, he must
also have a high sense of justice,  a belief in the
dignity and worth of all men and a proper
motivation and attitude. He  must possess a
sense of dedication to his profession and a sense
of duty and  obligation to his fellowmen.
 He shall cooperate with fellow criminologists and
public officials to the end that the safety and
general welfare of the public will be assured,
never permitting jealousies or personal
differences to influence their professional duties
and obligations.
Article 7
CODE OF ETHICS
The universally accepted Code of Ethics for Law
Enforcement shall be temporarily adopted pending
formulation of a more specific code that embraces
all aspects of Criminology.
LAW ENFORCEMENT CODE OF ETHICS
As a Law Enforcement Officer, my fundamental
duty is to serve mankind; to safeguard lives 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  the regulation of my
department. 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  decisions. With the compromise for
crime and with relentless prosecution or criminals, 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. 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 other of the police service. I will constantly strive
to achieve these objectives, and ideals, dedicating
myself before God to my chosen profession. . .law 
enforcement.Norms of Conduct of Public
Officials and Employees. — (A) Every public
official and employee shall observe the
following as standards of personal conduct in
the discharge and execution of official duties:
(a) Commitment to public interest. — Public officials
and employees shall always
uphold the public interest over and above personal
interest. All government resources
and powers of their respective offices must be
employed and used efficiently, effectively, honestly
and economically, particularly to avoid wastage in
public funds and revenues.
(b) Professionalism. — Public officials and
employees shall perform and discharge
their duties with the highest degree of excellence,
professionalism, intelligence and skill. They shall
enter public service with utmost devotion and
dedication to duty. They shall  endeavor to
discourage wrong perceptions of their roles as
dispensers or peddlers of undue patronage.
(c) Justness and sincerity. — Public officials and
employees shall remain true to the
people at all times. They must act with justness and
sincerity and shall not discriminate against anyone,
especially the poor and the underprivileged. They
shall at all times respect the rights of others, and
shall refrain from doing acts contrary to law, good
morals, good customs, public policy, public order,
public safety and public interest. They  shall not
dispense or extend undue favors on account of their
office to their relatives whether by consanguinity or
affinity except with respect to appointments of such 
relatives to positions considered strictly confidential
or as members of their personal staff whose terms
are coterminous with theirs.
(d) Political neutrality. — Public officials and
employees shall provide service to
everyone without unfair discrimination and
regardless of party affiliation or preference.
(e) Responsiveness to the public. — Public officials
and employees shall extend
prompt, courteous, and adequate service to the
public. Unless otherwise provided by
law or when required by the public interest, public
officials and employees shall provide information of
their policies and procedures in clear and
understandable language,  ensure   openness   of  
information,   public   consultations   and   hearings  
whenever appropriate,  encourage  suggestions, 
simplify  and  systematize  policy,  rules  and
procedures, avoid red tape and develop an
understanding and appreciation of the socio-
economic conditions prevailing in the country,
especially in the depressed rural and urban areas.
(f) Nationalism and patriotism. — Public officials
and employees shall at all times
be loyal to the Republic and to the Filipino people,
promote the use of locally produced goods,
resources and technology and encourage
appreciation and pride of country and people. They
shall endeavor to maintain and defend Philippine
sovereignty against foreign intrusion.
(g) Commitment to democracy. — Public officials
and employees shall commit themselves to the
democratic way of life and values, maintain the
principle of public accountability, and manifest by
deeds the supremacy of civilian authority over the
military. They shall at all times uphold the
Constitution and put loyalty to country above loyalty
to persons or party.
(h) Simple living. — Public officials and employees
and their families shall lead modest lives
appropriate to their positions and income. They
shall not indulge in extravagant or ostentatious
display of wealth in any form.
Duties of Public Officials and Employees. — In
the performance of their duties, all public
officials and employees are under obligation to:
(a) Act promptly on letters and requests. — All
public officials and employees shall,
within fifteen (15) working days from receipt thereof,
respond to letters, telegrams or
other means of communications sent by the public.
The reply must contain the action
taken on the request.
(b) Submit annual performance reports. — All
heads or other responsible officers of offices  and 
agencies  of  the  government  and  of  government-
owned  or  controlled corporations shall, within forty-
five (45) working days from the end of the year,
render a performance report of the agency or office
or corporation concerned. Such report shall be open
and available to the public within regular office
hours.
(c) Process documents and papers expeditiously.
— All official papers and documents must be
processed and completed within a reasonable time
from the preparation thereof and must contain, as
far as practicable, not more than three (3)
signatories therein. In the absence of duly
authorized signatories, the official next-in-rank or
officer-in-charge shall sign for and in their behalf.
(d) Act immediately on the public's personal
transactions. — All public officials and employees
must attend to anyone who wants to avail himself of
the services of their offices and must, at all times,
act promptly and expeditiously.
(e) Make documents accessible to the public. — All
public documents must be made
accessible to, and readily available for inspection
by, the public within reasonable
working hours.
Section 7.  Prohibited Acts and Transactions. —
In addition to acts and omissions of public
officials and employees now prescribed in the
Constitution and existing laws, the following
shall constitute prohibited acts and transactions
of any public official and employee and are
hereby declared to be unlawful:
(a) Financial and material interest. — Public officials
and employees shall not, directly or indirectly, have
any financial or material interest in any transaction
requiring the approval of their office.
(b) Outside employment and other activities related
thereto. — Public officials and employees during
their incumbency shall not:
(1) Own, control, manage or accept employment as
officer, employee, consultant, counsel,  broker, 
agent,  trustee  or  nominee  in  any  private 
enterprise  regulated, supervised or licensed by
their office unless expressly allowed by law;
(2) Engage in the private practice of their profession
unless authorized by the Constitution or law,
provided, that such practice will not conflict or tend
to conflict with their official functions; or
(3) Recommend any person to any position in a
private enterprise which has a regular or pending
official transaction with their office.
(c) Disclosure and/or misuse of confidential
information. —
Public  officials  and  employees shall  not  use  or 
divulge,  confidential  or classified information
officially known to them by reason of their office and
not made available to the public, either:
(1) To further their private interests, or give undue
advantage to anyone; or
(2) To prejudice the public interest.
(d)  Solicitation or acceptance of gifts. — Public
officials and employees shall not solicit or accept,
directly or indirectly, any gift, gratuity, favor,
entertainment, loan or anything of monetary value
from any person in the course of their official duties
or in connection with any operation being regulated
by, or any transaction which may be affected by the
functions of their office.

Statements and Disclosure. — Public officials

and employees have an obligation to
accomplish and submit declarations under oath
of, and the public has the right to know, their
assets, liabilities, net worth and financial and
business interests including those of their
spouses and of unmarried children under
eighteen (18) years of age living in their
households.
(A) Statements of Assets and Liabilities and
Financial Disclosure.     — All public
officials and employees, except those who serve in
an honorary capacity, laborers and
casual or temporary workers, shall file under oath
their Statement of Assets, Liabilities
and Net Worth and a Disclosure of Business
Interests and Financial Connections and
those of their spouses and unmarried children
under eighteen (18) years of age living in their
households.
 

The two documents shall contain information on the

following:
(a) real property, its improvements, acquisition
costs, assessed value and current fair market value;
(b) personal property and acquisition cost;
(c) all other assets such as investments, cash on
hand or in banks, stocks, bonds, and the like;
(d) liabilities, and;
(e) all business interests and financial connections.
 

The documents must be filed:

(a) within thirty (30) days after assumption of office;
(b) on or before April 30, of every year thereafter;
and
(c) within thirty (30) days after separation from the
service.
 
All  public  officials  and  employees  required 
under  this  section  to  file  the aforestated
documents shall also execute, within thirty (30)
days from the date of their assumption of office, the
necessary authority in favor of the Ombudsman to
obtain from all appropriate government agencies,
including the Bureau of Internal Revenue, such
documents as may show their assets, liabilities, net
worth, and also their business interests and
financial connections in previous years, including, if
possible, the year when they first assumed any
office in the Government.
Husband and wife who are both public officials
or employees may file the required statements
jointly or separately.
 

The Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net

Worth and the Disclosure of Business Interests
and Financial Connections shall be filed by:
(1) Constitutional and national elective officials, with
the national office of the Ombudsman;
(2) Senators and Congressmen, with the
Secretaries of the Senate and the House
of Representatives, respectively; Justices, with the
Clerk of Court of the Supreme Court;  Judges, with
the Court Administrator; and all national executive
officials with the Office  of the President;
(3) Regional and local officials and employees, with
the Deputy Ombudsman in their respective regions;
(4) Officers of the armed forces from the rank of
colonel or naval captain, with the Office of the
President, and those below said ranks, with the
Deputy Ombudsman in their respective regions; and
(5) All other public officials and employees, defined
in Republic Act No. 3019, as amended, with the
Civil Service Commission.