NCJ Number
145506
Date Published
1988
Length
20 pages
Annotation
The United Nations (UN) General Assembly adopted a code of conduct for law enforcement officials in 1979, and the Seventh UN Congress on the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders focused on the implementation of this code.
Abstract
Responses to a survey of code implementation were received from 51 UN member states. All countries considered the code of conduct to be of great importance, and most governments reported that legislative changes to incorporate code provisions were not necessary because existing constitutional provisions, laws, and regulations already met code standards. The importance of including the code in law enforcement training programs was stressed by most countries. Nonetheless, some governments experienced difficulties in code implementation and recommended that additional measures be taken to facilitate code application. Member states reported on the status of law enforcement officials, safeguards against code violations, and police use of force. They also identified additional activities to facilitate code implementation, such as technical assistance, advisory services, and seminars. Report annexes contain basic principles on police use of force and guidelines for effectively implementing the code of conduct.