Course Code : CRI 204
Course Title : Professional Conduct and Ethical Standard
Module 8/ Lesson 8
Lesson 8
Professional Ethics and The
PNP Code of Professional Conduct and Ethical Standard
Introduction
It is stated in the declaration of Policy that all members of the Philippine
National Police shall abide, adhere to and internalize the provisions of this
Ethical Doctrine. Towards this end, a truly professionalized and dedicated law
enforcer shall be developed in promoting peace and order, ensuring public
safety and enhancing community participation guided by the principle that a
public office is a public trust and that all public servants must, at all times, be
accountable to the people. They shall serve with utmost responsibility,
integrity, morality, loyalty and efficiency with due respect to human rights and
dignity as hallmark of a democratic society. They shall, at all times, support
and uphold the Constitution, bear faithful allegiance to the Constitution, bear
faithful allegiance to the legitimate government, respect the duly constituted
authority and be loyal to the police service.
Learning Content
I. PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE CODE OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT
AND ETHICAL STANDARDS
A. BRIEF HISTORICAL BACKGROUND ON THE PNP CODE OF
PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT AND ETHICAL STANDARDS
PURPOSES OF THE CODE
1) To foster individual efficiency, behavioral discipline and organizational
effectiveness, as well as respect for constitutional and human rights of
citizens, democratic principles and ideals and the supremacy of civilian
authority over the military;
2) To set the moral tone and norms of professional conduct in the police
service;
3) To provide moral and ethical guidance to all PNP members; and
4) To enlighten members of the police service of what behavior is really
acceptable – to define what is permitted and what is prohibited.
B. LAWS RELATED TO THE PNP CODE OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT
AND ETHICAL STANDARDS
1)RA 3019 – the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act
2)RA 6713 – Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and
Employees.
3) RA 7080 – Anti- Plunder Act
4) People’s Law Enforcement Board (PLEB) Rules and Regulations
5) RA 10589 – the Anti-Corruption Month Act
(December)
C Definition of terms
1. NEGLECT OF DUTY OR NON-FEASANCE
It is the omission or refusal, without sufficient excuse, to perform an act
or duty, which it was the peace officer’s legal obligation to perform; it implies a
duty as well as its breach and the fact can never be found in the absence of
duty.
2. IRREGULARITIES IN THE PERFORMANCE OF DUTY OR
MISFEASANCE = the improper performance of some act which might
lawfully be done.
3. MALFEASANCE
This refers to those act which prohibited by law since they are
considered bad. Example of which is bribery.
4. INCOMPETENCY
It is the manifest lack of adequate ability and fitness for the
satisfactory performance of police duties.
It has reference to any physical, moral or intellectual quality, the lack of
which substantially incapacitates one to perform his duties .
5. OPPRESSION
It is an act of cruelty, severity, unlawful exaction, domination, or
excessive use of authority.
6. DISHONESTY
It is the concealment or distortion of truth in a matter of fact relevant to
one’s office or connected with the performance of his duties.
7. DISLOYALTY TO THE GOVERNMENT
It consists of abandonment or renunciation of one’s loyalty to the
Government of the Philippines, or advocating the overthrow of the
government .
8. VIOLATION OF LAW
It presupposes conviction in court of any crime or offense penalized
under the Revised Penal Code or any special law or ordinance.
9. GOVERNMENT
It includes the national government, the local governments, the
government-owned and controlled corporations, and all other instrumentalities
or agencies of the Republic of the Philippines.
10. PUBLIC OFFICER
It includes elective and appointive officials and employees, permanent
or temporary, whether in the classified or unclassified or exempt service
receiving compensation, from the government.
11. GRAFT
It is the acquisition of gain or advantage by dishonest, unfair or sordid
means, especially through the abuse of one’s position or influence in politics
or government.
12. CORRUPTION
It is an act done with an intent to give some advantage inconsistent
with official duty and the rights of others.
It is the state of making something or someone other than what
is ideal.
13. BRIBERY
It is the act of receiving gifts or presents or accepting offers and or
promises in exchange for committing a crime that relates to the exercise of
the office which the public officer discharges.
14. COMMAND
It is the authority a person lawfully exercises over subordinates by
virtue of rank or assignment or position.
15. RESPONSIBILITY
It is the obligation to perform one’s duties and functions and his
accountability for his actions.
16. COMMAND RESPONSIBILITY
It is the doctrine that imposes commensurate accountability to one who
is vested with authority to exercise management and/or leadership functions
II. LAW ENFORCEMENT CODE OF ETHICS
As a law enforcement officer, my fundamental duty is to serve
mankind; to safeguard life and property; to protect the innocent against
deception; weak against oppression or intimidation; and the peaceful against
violence or disorder; and to respect the constitutional rights of all men, to
liberty, equality and justice.
I will keep my private life unsullied as an example to all; maintain
courageous calm in the face of danger, scorn or ridicule; develop self-restraint
and be constantly mindful of the welfare of others. Honest in thought and
deed in both my personal and official life, I will be exemplary in obeying the
laws of the land and regulations of my organization. Whatever I see or hear
of a confidential nature or that is confided to me in my official capacity will be
kept ever secret unless revelation is necessary in the performance of my duty.
I will never act officiously or permit personal feelings, prejudices,
animosities or friendship to influence my decision, with no compromise for
crime and with relentless prosecution of 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 in
return.
I recognize the badge of my office as a symbol of public faith and I
accept it as a public trust to be held so long as I am true to the ethics of police
service. I will never engage in acts of corruption or bribery, nor will I condone
such acts by other police officers. I will cooperate with all legally authorized
agencies and their representatives in the pursuit of justice.
I know that I alone am responsible for my own standard of professional
performance and will take every reasonable opportunity to enhance and
improve my level of knowledge and competence. I will constantly strive to
achieve these objectives and ideals, dedicating myself before God to my
chosen profession... law enforcement.
Discussion
“As a law enforcement officer, my fundamental duty is to serve
mankind; to safeguard life and property; to protect the innocent against
deception; 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.”
To Serve and Protect, the motto of the PNP is actually rooted from the
duty of the state as enunciated in the Philippine Constitution. This is a clear
pledge of the law enforcement to be a humble servant of the people. To serve
means to forget about one’s interest rather to advance the welfare of the
public. To be the servant of the public and not to be serve by the public, To
serve with dedication with fear or favor and to the extent of sacrificing or never
minding his/her own safety for the good of the public.
One who is entrusted to protect life and property, promote public order
and ensure public safety. As custodian of the people both for their life and
property, law enforcers are empowered to defend the life and property of
individual against assault and abuses by lawless element. The PNP, BJMP
and the BFP are guided with the basic doctrine of Public Safety. These means
that together they work collectively in order to ensure public safety.
Law enforcers are protector of the innocent, the weak, the underdog or
underprivileged against oppression or intimidation. Law enforcers must be a
true pillar of justice as the front line defender of the welfare of the people
against abusive authority and selfish influential aggressors who looks upon
the weak as slaves and puppets.
The Law enforcers, in the performance of their duty must always
uphold human rights and not to used or abuse their power to the
disadvantage of the innocent people. He should enforce the law with fairness
without discrimination and self vested interest.
“I will keep my private life unsullied as an example to all; maintain
courageous calm in the face of danger, scorn or ridicule; develop self-
restraint and be constantly mindful of the welfare of others. Honest in
thought and deed in both my personal and official life, I will be
exemplary in obeying the laws of the land and regulations of my
organization. Whatever I see or hear of a confidential nature or that is
confided to me in my official capacity will be kept ever secret unless
revelation is necessary in the performance of my duty.”
A law enforcer should set a role model to the people by putting his duty
above his personal interest. That whether on duty or not, he/she should be an
example of a law abiding citizen who will do what is right and fight against the
wrong and the bad. Sincere in his dealing with the public but observed
secrecy on matters of confidentiality.
“I will never act officiously or permit personal feelings, prejudices,
animosities or friendship to influence my decision, with no compromise
for crime and with relentless prosecution of 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 in return.”
A law enforcer must not be reckless and over-whelmed. This is a
common mistakes of newly appointed law enforcers. It is either they are
excited to exercise their authority or too proud of themselves though they
have not yet accomplish something that is truly of worth. He/she should have
a firm disposition of what is right and wrong and stand for what is right not to
allow his own personal feelings and other influences to affect his sworn duty.
This paragraph emphasize the quality of fortitude and gentlemanliness as one
enforces the rule of law.
“ I recognize the badge of my office as a symbol of public faith and I
accept it as a public trust to be held so long as I am true to the ethics of
police service. I will never engage in acts of corruption or bribery, nor
will I condone such acts by other police officers. I will cooperate with all
legally authorized agencies and their representatives in the pursuit of
justice.”
This means that every law enforcer should perform their duty with
dedication for the badge that he carries signifies that the people gave their
trust. A law enforcer who work with dedication will maintain his integrity in the
performance of duty.
“I know that I alone am responsible for my own standard of
professional performance and will take every reasonable opportunity to
enhance and improve my level of knowledge and competence. I will
constantly strive to achieve these objectives and ideals, dedicating
myself before God to my chosen profession... law enforcement.”
A law enforcer must show a high sense of professionalism in work.
Someone who perform his duty efficiently and effectively. Accept that he/she
has a lot more to know in his profession and that there is always a room for
improvement. He/she must be ever mindful that a single mistake might involve
someone’s life or property. Given the complexity of the law enforcement work,
he/she must endeavor to improve and develop his full potential in order to
contribute to the achievement of the organizational vision-mission.
