Code of EthicsPrinciples and Standards of Professional Behaviour for thePolicing Profession of England and Wales

WelcomeThe public have a right to expect thehighest standards of behaviour fromeveryone in public life, particularlyfrom those engaged in policing, whoare, after all, public servants.

The National Code of Ethics describes, through the ninePolicing Principles it contains, what the public should expectfrom all of us as we deliver our day to day business. But it isnot just a document by which the public can hold us toaccount, it is also something that we can all draw upon toempower us to act when we see others failing to meet thestandards it articulates, and give you the confidence tochallenge those who do not meet the required behaviour itdemands.

This booklet sets out the Policing Principles and describeswhat they mean in the workplace. It is hoped this bookletwill help to provide a practical explanation of the Principlesand how we can all embed them into our everyday workingpractices. It applies to us all be you permanent or temporarystaff or acting in a paid or voluntary role.

DCC Michelle Dunn

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IntroductionThe Code of Ethics highlights the responsibility of all of us inpolicing to behave in a manner that is most likely to ‘win thetrust and support of fellow citizens’. In the modern context thecode remains true to Peel’s founding principles of British policingfocussed on the importance of public support and the need forthe police to ‘secure and maintain public respect’.

The code describes the behaviours and traits we value inourselves and others and reflect the expectations of the publicwe serve. The trust and confidence of the wider public is crucialto the need to police with the broad consent of our community,if they are to see police actions as legitimate. This legitimacy isearned through our service to the public on whose cooperationwe depend to effectively keep our communities safe.

It is important that any victim of crime feels they have beentreated with fairness and respect and feels confident to ask, ‘whydid you do that?’ We must be open to constructive challenge asto why something was done and what formed the basis of ourdecisions. If people feel they have been fairly treated, they aremuch more likely to both trust and support police action.

Accountability for our actions begins at the first encounter, howwe treat others, both internally or externally, is important as itwill leave an impression directly affecting our ability to maintainthat trust and support. During any encounter we have a numberof options, moments of choice, that will shape the view a personhas of us as an individual and in turn the Constabulary andimpact how that person interacts with the service in future. Weshould continually ask ourselves ‘what impression did I leavetoday, am I proud of it and is what I did in line with the values ofthe organisation?’. This summary is designed to help you tounderstand the code and policing principles, enabling you tocontinue to deliver the highest professional standards of serviceto the public of Hertfordshire.

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• Accountability

• Fairness

• Honesty

• Integrity

• Leadership

• Objectivity

• Openness

• Respect

• Selflessness

• Honesty and integrity

• Authority, respect and courtesy

• Equality and diversity

• Use of force

• Orders and instructions

• Duties and responsibilities

• Confidentiality

• Fitness for work

• Conduct

• Challenging and reporting improper conduct

Policing principles

Standards of professional behaviour

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AccountabilityYou are answerable for your decisions, actions and omissions.

You are accountable for standardsof behaviour and ensuring that allour behaviour is lawful, appropriateand totally professional.

Low standards, both professionaland personal damage the teamand can cause operational failure.

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FairnessYou treat people fairly.

You are unbiased, act inaccordance with the rules andwith an even-handed approachto situations faced.

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Honesty

You are truthful and trustworthy.

In its simplest form it meansbeing honest, with yourself, yourteam and the organisation. Youare honest and therefore worthy of the trust of others.

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Integrity

You always do the right thing.

The consistent ability to balancecompeting principles, deliver aservice which builds trust andsupport from those who areaffected by any decision andthose who are not.

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Leadership

You lead by good example.

Role modelling a set of valuesyou have set for yourself andthose of the organisation.Doing the right thing in the rightway even if that sets you apart.

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Objectivity

You make choices on evidence andyour best professional judgement.

Possessing an understanding ofthe cultural and social needs ofthe individual and communitycoupled with a calm and tolerantapproach to any situation.

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Openness

You are open and transparent inyour actions and decisions.

Restrict information only whenthe wider public interest clearly demands.

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Respect

You treat everyone with respect.

Consistently demonstrate theability to consider and appreciatethe needs of others while actingpolitely and professionally.

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Selflessness

You act in the public interest.

Policing requires teamwork, noneof us work in isolation, but as ateam. The team can only beeffective if we each play our partin full. Putting the team andmission before our own interestsand trust that others will do thesame.

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Design and print by Beds and Herts Design and Print Services Unit - Nov 2014