This document outlines ethical standards and guidelines for law enforcement officers as government employees. It discusses primary responsibilities which include serving the community, protecting the innocent, and ensuring rights with liberty, equality and justice. It also details proper performance of duties impartially and with courtesy. Use of force should only be as a last resort, and integrity, confidentiality, and cooperation with other agencies is important. The government provides an incentive and reward system for officials and employees who follow the code of conduct.

1. MODULE ON ETHICAL STANDARDS OF
LAW ENFORCERS AS GOVERNMENT
EMPLOYEES
October 7-8, 2013
PPSC-PNPA
Silang, Cavite

2. A. Primary Responsibility of a Police
Officer
1.
2.
3.
As Police Officer you are an official representative
of the government. You are therefore expected,
required and trusted to do your work within the
law;
Public interest should come first before your
personal interest;
Your fundamental duties are to:
o
o
serve the community - safeguard lives and properties;
protect the innocent;

3. Continuation . . .
o
4.
5.
6.
7.
keep peace and ensure the rights of all with liberty,
equality and justice.
You must have commitment to democratic life
(should not espouse left leaning ideology);
Maintain a principle of public accountability (be
responsibility to the public);
You must manifest supremacy of civilians over your
police authority;
Uphold constitution and put loyalty to the country
above loyalty to any person or to any party (not to
publicly support any candidate during election)

4. B. Performance of the Duties of Police
Officers
1.
2.
3.
4.
As Police Officer you have to perform your duties
impartially, without favor or ill will, without regard
for status, sex, race, religion, political belief or
aspiration to the person or people you are serving;
Treat all citizens with courtesy, consideration and
dignity;
Never let your personal feelings, animosity or
friendships to influence your official conduct;
Extend prompt and adequate service to the public
(do not tell them to come back the following day
coz of the additional expense they have to incur);

5. Continuation of Performance of Duties
5.
6.
7.
8.
Provide information to public on the policies and
procedures of how your office is serving the public
(use of the citizens charter displayed to your
offices);
Avoid red tape (excessive regulations);
Enforce laws with courtesy and in carrying out
your responsibilities;
Strive to obtain maximum cooperation from the
public (win them to your side e.g. quelling
demolition tension);

6. Continuation of Performance of Duties
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
Conduct yourself in an inspiring appearance and deportment to
gain confidence and respect of the public (appear pogi and
kagalang galang before the public, trim your big tummy);
Act promptly on letters/requests within 15 days or earlier (action
should be clear);
Submit your performance report to your immediate superior 45 days
after the end of the year and to make the same available to the
public;
Process documents/papers expeditiously w/in a reasonable period of
time (reduce number of signatories to 2 or less);
Respond immediately to queries even personal queries of clients;
Use government resources and power efficiently, effectively,
honestly and economically (don’t use government rides for your
family especially on holidays and weekends).

7. C. Discretion

As Police Officers your discretion’s should be
based from:
o
o
o



Law, policies and office orders;
Principle of reasonableness;
Professionalism
Use locally produced goods, resources and
technology;
Encourage and appreciate the pride of our country
and people; and
defend sovereignty against intruders

8. D. Use of Force
1.
2.
3.
4.
Never employ unnecessary force or violence in
dealing with a suspect or a criminal unless it could
mean your life or death;
When use of force cannot be avoided, you should
refrain from inflicting pain, suffering or never shall
you engage in cruel, degrading or inhuman
treatment to any person;
Advice is far better than arrest; and
The use of gun should be the last to resort.

9. E. Confidentiality
1.
2.
3.
As Police Officer, whatever you see, hear or learn
which is confidential in nature, shall be kept secret
unless in the performance of your duty or it is
required by law;
Don’t disclose confidential information by reason of
your position to further your interest;
The public has the right to security and privacy on
information obtained from them and must not be
improperly divulged them.

10. F. Integrity
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
A police officer you shall not engage in acts of corruption or bribery
nor shall you condone such acts by other police officers (advise or
report to authority those who do the above acts);
The public demands and expects that your integrity as police officer
should be beyond question or reproach;
As Police Officers you should therefore avoid any conduct that might
compromise your integrity and not to destroy the public confidence
to police officers in general;
You should therefore refuse to accept any gift, present, gratitude, or
promises that could be interpreted by the public as exchange of any
favor that you will do to them;
Police officer must not have financial or material interest in any
transaction requiring approval of his office (unreceipted payment of
gun’s licensing);

11. Continuation of Integrity
6.
7.
8.
9.
You shall not accept employment as board of director,
consultant or employment of your kins or relatives in any
private agency supervised by your office;
Don’t employ relatives either by consanguinity or affinity to
positions in your office, except to positions that are
confidential in nature;
Don’t engage in private practice of your profession unless
authorized by law or by your head;
You should remember that respect from the public cannot be
bought. It can only be earned by your good deeds.

12. G. Cooperation with Other Officers and
Agencies
1.
2.
3.
Cooperate with all legally authorized agencies and
their representatives in the pursuit of justice;
It is imperative that you assist colleagues in work
at all times; and
You have to file your SALN (Statement of Assets
and Liabilities and Net Worth including your
businesses, 1 month after assumption to office or
every April 30 of each year. Penalties are: 6
months without salary, suspension not exceeding 1
year or removal from office.

13. H. Personal/Professional Capabilities
1.
2.
Continue to improve your knowledge and
competence through further studies and
experience;
Acquisition of knowledge and experience is
a never-ending process of personal and
professional development that should be
pursued constantly.

14. I. Private Life
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Your private life as a police officer cannot be separated from your
professional life;
What you are in your private life is what you are also in your
professional life;
A police officer who beats his wife cannot be a respecter of human
rights of other people;
Be a good spouse - be a one woman man or one man woman;
Be good parent to your children - send them to good schools – you
cannot pay quality education;
Be spiritual - lead your family to church on Sundays – you won half
the battle of disciplining your children when you go to a Church as a
family on Sundays or better still be a police pastor;
Live a simple life – don’t flaunt your wealth to the public – your
officemates or your neighbors can calculate your income

15. What System is Provided by the Government to Encourage
Officials and Employees Follow the Code of Ethical Conduct?
1.
Government provides System of Incentive
and Reward System, whose membership is
composed of the following:

Ombudsman;
Chairman of the CSC;
Chairman of the COA;

2 Government Employees



16. Continuation. . What System. .?
2.
3.
It is done yearly;
The criteria are:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
2.
Quality/consistency of performance;
Obscurity of position;
Level of salary;
Year of service;
Exemplary achievement
Risk of temptation of work

17. Continuation . . What Does the Gov.
5.
Incentives:
d.
Bonuses;
Citation;
Promotion to next higher position but increase
shall be given the following year;
Scholarship; and
e.
Paid vacation
a.
b.
c.

18. References:
 Republic
Act No. 6713 – Rules Implementing
the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards
for Public Officials and Employees

19. Prepared by:
Dr. Cresencio G. Patnaan
PNPA, PPSC-CARTS Professor