WESTMEAD INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL

SCHOOL OF CRIMINOLOGY
CRIM 4- PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT AND ETHICAL STANDARDS

MODULE 2

Chapter 1: Introduction (Continuation…)

What is the basis of the Police Ethical Doctrine:

The Police Ethical Doctrine is based on the principles that “All PNP member in the
performance of their duties shall fully abide by the Ethical Doctrine.”

The Ethical Doctrine was culled from:

a) The PNP Code of Professional Conduct and Ethical Standard (COPCES) which is
anchored on the divine and moral precepts,
b) The Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines and,
c) Other relevant provisions of the Revised Penal Code,
d) RA 6713 (Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and
Employees),
e) RA 3019 (Anti-Graft Practices Act),
f) RA 7080 An Act Defining and Penalizing the Crime of Plunder
g) PD 46 Making it punishable for public officials and employees to receive, and for
private persons to give gifts to any occasions, including Christmas.
h) RA 6975 (DILG/ PNP Law of 1991) and other related specials laws.

Commitment of the PNP Members:

a) All PNP personnel shall take upon themselves that the intent and spirit of this
Doctrine are honored and upheld at all times.
b) Directors, Chiefs, and Heads of Offices/ Stations shall set example and be
responsible for the adherence to this Doctrine.
c) Priests/ Minister/ Imams of the PNP Chaplain Service while setting the example,
shall actively participate in enhancing the internalization of this Doctrine.
d) All members of the PNP shall take an oath that they shall commit themselves to
this Doctrine.

The Oath of Commitment:

The Oath of Commitment shall be done:
a) Upon entry into the PNP;
b) Upon promotion to the next higher rank, and
c) Upon assumption of office/ position.

PNP Policies:
The following are the policies of the PNP regarding the adherence of the Doctrine:

All PNP members (uniformed of non-uniformed personnel) shall execute a Pledge

of Covenant to adhere this Doctrine.

Propagation, Development and adherence of this Doctrine is a command

responsibility of the PNP Commanders/ Directors at all levels.
The PNP shall maintain the PNP Code of Professional Conduct and Ethical
Standard (COPCES) as conveyor of this PNP Ethical Doctrine.

All PNP personnel shall be issued upon entry into the police a copy of the PNP
COPCES which shall be considered an accountable property and shall bring with them
daily.

The PNP COPCES shall be internalized by all members, and institutionalized in

the PNP. It is part of the circular of all PNP academic courses and has been integrated in
moral value programs conducted thru regular police information and education activities.

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 There shall undertake a continuous appraisal and study on the effectiveness of the
PNP COPCES consistent with the growth and dynamics of performance standards and
professionalization of the PNP.

The PNP COPCES shall be subject to review initially three (3) years and every five
(5) years thereafter, or sooner if the need arises, for possible revision and/or modification
of its implementation strategy.

The PNP Office of Ethical Standards and Public Accountability (PNPORSPA) shall
oversee the internalization of the PNP COPCES, and the DHRDD shall monitor the
adherence of PNP Members to this Ethical Doctrine.

Canons of Police Ethics:

a) Primordial Police Responsibility
b) Limitation of Police Authority
c) Knowledge of the Law and other Responsibility
d) Use of proper Means to Obtain Proper Ends
e) Cooperation with Public Officials
f) Proper Conduct and Behavior
g) Conduct towards the Community
h) Conduct in Arresting Law Violator
i) Firmness in Refusing Gifts or Favors
j) Impartial Presentation of Evidence

Professional Police Principles:

1) Prevention of Crime and Disorder- alternative to the repression of crime and
disorder by police force and severity of legal punishment.
2) Cooperation of the Community- willingness and cooperation of the community
as well as the voluntary observance of the law by the community it serves.
3) Unreasonable Force Reduce Community Cooperation- shall use only
reasonable force, when necessary, in the discharge of their duty.
4) Use of Reasonable Force When Persuasion is Not Sufficient- shall use only
reasonable force, when necessary, in the discharge of their duty.
5) Impartial Enforcement of Laws- without regard to the justice and injustice of the
substance of particular laws.
6) The Community are the Police- Police are the community and the community is
the police.
7) Police should Not Usurp Judicial Powers- Police is never averaging individuals
of the state of authoritative judging guilt of punishing the guilt.
8) Reduction of Crime and Disorder- Test of police efficiency.
9) Rule of Enforcement Impartially Observed- Police considers the safety and
security of who might be caught in the crossfire or arm encounters.
10) Police Discretion- principle of reasonableness guides the officers considering all
the surrounding circumstances whether any legal action shall be taken.

Chapter 2: Police Officer’s Creed and Stands on Basic Issues

Lesson Objective: After the lesson, the students will be able to:
1. Memorize and Understand by heart the PNP Core Values.
2. Explain how the PNP Core Values plays a pivotal role in the Police System
3. Distinguish between image and police integrity
4. Draw a conclusion why police officer’s creed is required to be memorized and
understood by heart by every PNP member.

PNP Core Values:

a) Love of God,
b) Respect for authority,

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 c) Selfless love and service for the people,
d) Sanctity of marriage, and family life,
e) Responsible dominion and stewardship over material things, and
f) Thruthfulness.

The 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 can do no less than love Him above all, by
obeying His word, seeking His guidance in the performance of my sworn duties, and
honoring Him at all times.

I believe that respect for authority is a duty. I respect and uphold the Constitution, the
laws of land and the applicable rules and regulations. I recognize the legitimacy and
authority of the leadership; 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 interest.

I believe in the sanctity of marriage and family life. I shall set the example of decency
and morality and shall have high regard for family life and value of marital fidelity.

I believe in the responsible dominion and stewardship over material things. I shall
inhibit myself from extravagance and ostentatious display of material things. I shall
respect private and public properties and prevent others from destroying them. I shall help
protect the environment and conserve nature to maintain ecological balance.

I believe in the wisdom of truthfulness. I must be trustworthy and shall uphold the truth
at all times.

PNP Stand on Basic Issues:

a) PNP Image- The image of any organization affects the esprit d’ corps, morale and
welfare of the members, and sense of pride to the organization.
b) Career Management: the Key to Professionalism- Proper implementation of the
PNP’s Career Management will greatly enhance the personnel professionalization
process with regards to:
• Procurement
• Training
• Promotion
• Assignment
• Placement
• Awards
• Retirement
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, skill
development, immediate grant of reward and award, and decent living upon
retirement.
c) Police Management Leadership- effectiveness of law enforcement is reflective
of the managerial capabilities and competent leadership of the men and women
who run the PNP organization. These attributes must therefore be one of the
primary bases for consideration in the selection of personnel for employment and
deployment purposes.
d) Equality in the Service- there shall be judicious and equitable distribution of
opportunity to prove one’s worth in the police service. The problem on inequity thru
class orientation and factionalism, both real and perceived, premised on favored
assignment, unfair granting of promotion, and untimely awarding of achievements,

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 any of this would create an atmosphere of demoralization. The result is inefficiency
and lack of teamwork to the detriment of the PNP organization.

PNP leadership address the situation. The civilian character of the organization
requires adherence to the rule of merit and fitness system and to dissociate the
above process from class orientation and factionalism.

e) Delicadeza- in consonance with the requirements of honor and integrity in the

PNP, all members must have the moral courage to sacrifice self-interest in keeping
with the time-honored principle of delicadeza.

What is Delicadeza?
- Means being aware of proper decorum and ways of behaving.
- Virtue that should come from inside of every individual. (Confucius)
- True path should be the path of wisdom.
- Possessing grace to give up your office when there is impropriety involved.
(Public Office context)
- About believing that there is a correct way of doing things
- Preserving your values and not taking advantage of every opportunity for self-
gain.

f) Police Lifestyle- shall promote and maintain a lifestyle for its members which the
public will find credible and respectable. The public expects a police officer to live
a simple and dignified life. They must be free from greed and corruption and
exploitation.
g) Political Patronage- PNP members shall inhibit themselves from soliciting
political patronage on matters pertaining to assignment, award, training, and
promotion.
h) Setting Example- All PNP members shall set good example to their subordinates,
as such, they should follow good example from the superiors.

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