Police Ethics and Conduct

• NCJ Number: 87271
• Journal: International Criminal Police Review Issue: 358 Dated: (May 1982) Pages: 122-131
• Author(s): M LeClere
• Date Published: 1982
• Length: 7 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: France

Annotation

This paper assesses the United Nations Code of Conduct for law enforcement officials, which advocates public protection, respect for human rights, ensuring confidentiality, and refraining from corruption.

Abstract

The first article of the United Nations Code of Conduct states that 'law enforcement officials shall at all times fulfill the duty imposed upon them by law, by serving the community and by protecting all persons against illegal acts.' This article is weak in its limiting of police protection solely to illegal acts, when the police serve the public in many other ways. Article 2 provides that 'in the performance of their duty, law enforcement officals shall respect and protect human dignity and maintain and uphold the human rights of all persons.' This article should have been more detailed in its specification of the human rights police are to respect, and the importance of detailed police training in this area should have been noted. Article 3 stipulates that 'law enforcement officials may use force only when strictly necessary and to the extent required for the performance of their duty.' This article also requires specification of those circumstances where force and the use of a firearm are required in the performance of duty. Article 4 requires that 'matters of a confidential nature in the possession of law enforcement officials shall be kept confidential, unless the performance of duty, or the needs of justice, strictly require otherwise.' This article should specify that officers are to report information only to authorized superiors. Other articles prohibit the use of torture, mandate care for the health of persons in custody, and promote refraining from and reporting police corruption. Omissions from the code include attention to the right of the accused to remain silent, the role of police when the country is occupied by a foreign power, and an appeal to the concept of honor in the performance of police duties. The complete United Nations Code of Conduct for law enforcement officials is appended.