Ethics

Law enforcement administrators agree that upholding professional ethics and integrity is critically important for the profession. From recruiting and selection, through promotions and assignments, to training and field activities, no other factor weaves such a powerful web through every aspect of policing. There is a critical need to heighten the awareness and visibility of our ethical standards, both internally and externally. The IACP offers resources designed to provide guidance, instructional assistance, and resources to chief executives, planners, instructors, supervisors and officers on the topic of ethics in policing.

The Oath of Honor

The IACP Governing Body recently revised the IACP Oath of Honor to punctuate the importance of treating all individuals with dignity and respect and ensuring…

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The Oath of Honor

Policing Code of Ethics

The IACP adopted the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics at the 64th Annual IACP Conference and Exposition in October 1957, and updated it in 2024…

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Policing Code of Ethics

Policy Center Resources

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Eyewitness Identification

Law enforcement agencies should develop evidence-based guidelines for effectively conducting eyewitness identifications in order to maximize the reliability of identifications, minimize erroneous identifications, and gather evidence...

Policy Center Resource

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Harassment and Discrimination

In a time where the costs of liability insurance continue to rise driving many towns to self-insure or join insurance pools, law enforcement executives have...

Policy Center Resource

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Standards of Conduct

Law enforcement officers must accept and abide by a high ethical and moral standard that is consistent with the rule of law they are sworn...

Policy Center Resource

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Bias-Free Policing

Persons having contact with members of a law enforcement agency should be treated in a fair, impartial, equitable, and objective manner, in accordance with law, and without...

Policy/Protocol

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Resources

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are three elements of workplace culture that help ensure all employees are treated equitably and are provided similar levels of...

Policy Center Resource

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Considering Locative Technology in the Disability Community: Balancing Autonomy and Safety

This resource explores key considerations, including advantages and disadvantages, for locative technology to address wandering by individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities or dementia. It...

Document

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Police Chaplains

Police chaplains assist police agency personnel with personal, spiritual, moral, and ethical consultation. Police chaplains are clergy whose function is to provide support and guidance...

Policy Center Resource