CHAPTER VII

The Philippine National Police Code of Professional Conduct and Ethical Standard (PNP Code of
Conduct)

Definition of Terms:

1. Neglect of Duty or Nonfeasance — 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 a duty.

2. Irregularities in the Performance of Duty - is the improper performance of some act which
might be lawfully done.

3. Misconduct or Malfeasance -is the doing, either through ignorance, inattention or malice, of
that which the officer had no legal right to do all, as where he act without any authority whatsoever, Or
exceeds, ignores or abuses his powers. Misconduct generally means wrongful, improper or unlawful
conduct, motivated by premeditated, obstinate or intentional purpose.

Misfeasance on the other hand is the performance of a duty or act that one is obligated or
permitted to do in a manner which is improper, sloppy, or negligent

4. In-competency -is the manifest lack of adequate ability and fitness for the satisfactory
performance of police duties.

5. Oppression - It imports an act of cruelty, severity, unlawful execution, domination, or

excessive use of authority.

6. Dishonesty - is the concealment or distortion of truth in a matter of fact relevant of one’s

office or connected with the performance of his duties.

7. Disloyalty to the Government - consist 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 of offense penalized under
Revised Penal Code or any special law or ordinances.

POLICE OFFICER’S CREED AND STAND ON ISSUES BASIC ISSUES

The PNP Values

The police service is a noble profession and demands from its members specialized knowledge
and skills and high standard of ethics and morality. In this regard, the members of the Philippine
National Police must adhere to and internalize the enduring core values of Fear of God, Honor the
Government, and Respect the People.

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The Police Officer’s Creed:

I believe in God, The Supreme Being, a Great Provider, and

The Creator of all men and everything dear to me. In return, I can do not less than love Him
above all, seek His guidance in the performance of my sworn duties and honor Him at all times.

I believe that respect for authority is a duty. I respect and uphold the Constitution, the laws of
the land and the applicable rules and regulations. I recognize the legitimacy and authorityof the
leadership, and follow and obey legal orders of my superior officers.

I believe in selfless love and service to people. Towards this end, I commit myself to the service
of my fellowmen over and above my personal convenience.

I believe in the sanctity of marriage and the respect for women. I shall set the example of
decency and morality and shall have high regard for family life and chastity.

I believe in the responsible dominion and stewardship over material things. I shall inhibit myself
from ostentatious display of my property. I shall protect the environment and conserve nature to
maintain ecological balance. I shall respect private and public properties and prevent others from
destroying them.

I believe in the wisdom of truthfulness. I must be trustworthy and I shall speak the truth at all
times as required by the profession.

Basic Issues

1. PNP Image — The image of any organization affects the espirit de’ corps, morale and welfare
of members and sense of pride to the organization.

2. Career Management, the key to professionalism -Its improper implementation will greatly
prejudice the personnel professionalization process as regard procurement, promotion, assignment,
placement, training, awards, and retirement.

3. Police Management Leadership - The effectiveness of law enforcement is reflective of the

managerial capabilities and competent leadership of the men and women who run the PNP
organization.

4. Equality in the Service - There shall be judicious and equitable distribution of opportunity to
prove “one’s wroth in the police service.

5. Delicadeza - In consonance with the requirements of honor and integrity in the PNP, all
members must have the moral courage to sacrifice self-interest in keeping with the time-honored
principle of delicadeza.

6. Police Lifestyle — The PNP shall endeavor to promote a lifestyle for every member of the
organization that is acceptable and respectable in the eyes of the public.

7. Political Patronage - All PNP members must inhibit himself from soliciting political patronage
in matters pertaining to assignment, awards, training and promotion.

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 8. Human Rights. - All PNP members must respect and protect human dignity and man’s
inalienable rights to life, liberty and property.

9. Setting Example - All PNP members should set example to the subordinates and follow good
example from the superiors.

PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT AND ETHICAL STANDARDS

Police Professional Conduct

Commitment to Democracy - Uniformed PNP members commit themselves to the democratic

way of life and values and maintain the principle of public accountability.

Commitment to Public Interest - All PNP members shall always uphold public interest over and
above personal interest. All government properties, resources and powers of their respective offices
must be employed and used effectively, honestly and efficiently particularly to avoid wastage of public
funds and revenues.

Non-Partisanship - PNP members shall provide services to everyone without discrimination

regardless of party affiliation in accordance with existing laws and regulations.

Physical Fitness and Health - All PNP members shall strive to be physically and mentally fit and in
good health at all times.

Secrecy Discipline - All PNP members shall guard the confidentiality of classified information
against unauthorized disclosure.

Social Awareness - All PNP members and their immediate family members shall be encouraged
to actively get involved in the religious, social and civic activities to enhance the image of the
organization but without affecting their official duties.

Non-Solicitation of Patronage - All members shall seek self-improvement through career

development and shall not directly or indirectly solicit influence or recommendation from politicians,
high-ranking government officials, prominent citizens, persons affiliated with civic or religious
organizations with regard to their assignments, promotions, transfer or those of other members of the
force, nor shall they initiate any petition to be prepared and presented by citizens in their behalf.

Proper Care and Use of Public Property - PNP personnel shall be responsible for the security,
proper care and use of public property issued to them and/or deposited under their care and custody.

Respect of Human Rights - In the performance of duty, PNP members shall respect and protect
human dignity and uphold the human rights of all persons.

Devotion to Duty - All PNP personnel shall perform their duties with dedication, thoroughness,
efficiency, enthusiasm determination, and manifest concern for public welfare, and shall refrain from
engaging in any activity which shall be in conflict with their duties as public servants.

Conservation of Natural Resources - All personnel of the PNP shall help in the development and
conservation of our natural resources for ecological balance and posterity as these are the inalienable
heritage of our people.

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 Discipline - All personnel of the PNP shall conduct themselves at all times in keeping with the
rules and regulations of the organization.

Loyalty - Above all, PNP personnel must be loyal to the Constitution and the police service as
manifested by their loyalty to their superiors, peers and subordinates as well.

Obedience to Superiors - All PNP personnel shall obey lawful orders and courteous to superior
officers and other appropriate authorities within the chain of command.

Command Responsibility - In accordance with the Doctrine on Command Responsibility,

immediate Commanders/Directors shall be responsible for the effective supervision, control and
direction of their personnel and shall see to it that all government resources shall be managed,
expended or utilized in accordance with laws and regulations and safeguard against losses thru illegal or
improper disposition.

The Ethical Standards

Morality - All PNP personnel shall adhere to high standard of morality and decency and shall set
good examples for others to follow.

Judicious Use of Authority - PNP members shall exercise proper and legitimate use of authority
in the performance of duty.

Integrity - PNP personnel shall not allow themselves to be victims of corruption and dishonest
practices in accordance with the provisions of RA 6713 and other applicable laws.

Justice - PNP personnel shall strive constantly to respect the rights of others so that they can
fulfill their duties and exercise their rights as human beings, parents, children, citizens, workers, leaders,
or in other capacities and to see to it that others do likewise.

Humility - All PNP personnel shall recognize the fact that they are public servants and not the
masters of the people and toward this end, they should perform their duties without arrogance.

Orderliness - All PNP personnel shall follow logical procedures in accomplishing tasks assigned to
them to minimize waste in the use of time, money and effort.

Perseverance - Once a decision is made, PNP members shall take legitimate means to achieve
the goal even in the face of internal or external difficulties, and despite anything which might weaken
their resolve in the course of time.

CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS

Definition of Terms:

Customs - Established usage or social practices carried on by tradition that have obtained the
force of law.

Traditions - Bodies of beliefs, stories, customs and usages handed down from generation to
generation with the effect of an unwritten law.

Courtesy - A manifestation or expression of consideration and respect for others.

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 Ceremony - A formal act or set of formal acts established by customs or authority as proper to
special occasion.

Social Decorum – A set of norms and standards practiced by members during social and other
functions.

Police Customs on Courtesy

Salute - Salute is the usual greeting rendered by uniformed members upon meeting and
recognizing person entitled to a salute.

Salute of National Color and Standard – Members stand attention and salute the national color
and standard as it pass by them or when the national color is raised or lowered during ceremonies.

Address/Title – Junior in rank address senior members who are entitled to salute with the word
“Sir.” All Police Commission Officers shall be address Sir by the PNCOs and NUPs.

Courtesy Call of Newly Assigned/Appointed Members – PNP members who are newly appointed
or assigned in a unit or command call on the chief of the unit or command and to other key personnel
for accounting, orientation and other purposes.

Christmas Call - PNP members pay as Christmas Call on their local executives in their respective
area of responsibility.

New Year’s Call - PNP members pay a New Year’s call on their commanders and/or key officials
in their respective area of responsibility.

Promotion Call - Newly promoted PNP members call on their unit head. On this occasion, they
are usually given due recognition and congratulations by their peers for such deserved accomplishment.

Exit Call - PNP members pay an Exit Call on their superiors in the unit or command when
relieved or reassigned out of the aaid unit or command.

Courtesy of the Post - The host unit extends hospitality to visiting personnel who pay respect to
the command or unit.

Rank Has-Its-Own Privilege (RHIP) - PNP members recognize the practice that different ranks
carry with them corresponding privileges.

Police Customs on Ceremonies

Flag Raising Ceremony – The PNP members honor the flag by hoisting it and singing the National
Anthem before the start of the official day’s work.

Flag Lowering Ceremony - At the end of the official days’ ok the PNP members pause for a
moment to salute the lowering of the flag.

Half-Mast - The flag is raised at half-mast in difference to deceased uniformed members of the
command.

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 Funeral Service and Honors - Departed uniformed members, retirees, war veterans or former
PC/INP members are given vigil, necrological services and graveside honors as a gesture of farewell.

Ceremony Tendered to Retirees - In recognition of their long, faithful and honorable service to
the PNP, a testimonial activity is tendered in their honor.

Honor Ceremony - Arrival and departure honor ceremonies are rendered to visiting dignitaries,
VIPs, PNP Officers with the grade of Chief Superintendent and above and AFP officers of equivalent
grade, unless waived.

Turn-Over Ceremony - The relinquishment and assumption of command or key position is

publicly announced in a Turn-Over Ceremony by the out-going and in-coming officers in the presence of
the immediate superior or his representative.

Wedding Ceremony - During marriage of PNP members, a ceremony is conducted with

participants in uniform and swords drawn.

Anniversary - The birth of institutional establishment of a command or unit is commemorated in

an Anniversary Ceremony.

Police Customs on Social Decorum

Proper Attire - PNP members always wear appropriate and proper attire in conformity with the
occasion.

Table Manners - PNP members observe table etiquette at all times.

Social Graces - PNP members conduct themselves properly in dealing with people during social
functions.

Uniform/Appearance - The public looks upon a PNP member as distinctively a man among men.
Since disciplined PNP members are best exemplified by those who are neat in appearance and wearing
prescribed uniform, they must therefore observe the following:

Wearing of prescribed uniform.

- Wearing as part of the uniform, award and decorations earned in accordance with the
prescribed rules and regulations.

- Adherence to haircut prescribed by rules and regulations.

- Manner of Walking - Every PNP member is expected to walk with pride and dignity.

Other Police Customs:

Visiting the Sick - PNP members who are sick in the hospital, their residence or any place of
confinement are visited by their immediate commanders or other available officers all benefits due shall
have been received.

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 Survivor Assistance to Heirs of Deceased Members - When PNP members die, a survivor officers
is designated to render maximum assistance to their legitimate bereaved family until all benefits due
shall have been received.

Visiting the Religious Leaders - PNP Officers visit religious leaders in their area of assignment to
establish or maintain rapport and cooperation between the different religious leaders and the PNP.

Athletics - All PNP members indulge in physical fitness activities to insure that their proper
physical appearance and bearing are maintained with the waistline measurement always smaller than
the size of his chest and in conformity with the standard set forth by the organization.

Happy Hours - Usually on Friday or any other day suitable for the occasion, PNP members gather
together at their PNP club for a light hearted jesting or airing of minor gripes.

Police Tradition

Spiritual Beliefs - The PNP members are traditionally religious and God-loving person. They
attend religious services together with the members of their family.

Valor - History attests that the Filipino law-enforcer have exemplified the tradition of valor and
defending the country from aggression and oppression and protecting/preserving the life and property
of the people.

Patriotism - The PNP members are traditionally patriotic by nature. They manifest their love of
country with a pledge of allegiance to the flag and a vow to defend the Constitution.

Discipline - The discipline of PNP members are manifested by instinctive obedience to lawful
orders and through and spontaneous actions towards attainment of organizational objectives guided by
moral, ethical and legal norms.

Gentlemanliness - The PNP members are upright in character, police in manners, dignified in
appearance, and sincere in their concern to their fellowmen.

Word of Honor - The PNP members’ word is their bond. They stand by and commit to uphold it.

Duty - The PNP members have historically exemplified themselves as dedicated public servant
who perform their tasks with a deep sense of responsibility and self-sacrifice.

Loyalty – The policemen are traditionally loyal to the organization, country and people as borne
by history and practice.

Camaraderie - The binding spirit that enhances teamwork and cooperation in the police
organization, extending to the people they serve, is manifested by the PNP members’ deep commitment
and concern to one another.

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POLICE OFFICER’S PLEDGE

I will love and serve God, my country and my people;

I will uphold the Constitution and obey legal orders of the duly constituted authorities;

I will oblige myself to maintain a high standard of morality and professionalism;

I will respect the customs and traditions of the police service; and

I will live a decent and virtuous life to serve as an example to others.

Two possible causes of public mistrust for police ethics:

(1) The perception that a police subculture exists that either turns good officers bad or tolerates
evil in the midst of policing; and

(2) The perception that most of policing is just a front for racial discrimination.

Definition of Terms:

Deviance -- behavior inconsistent with the police culture's norms or values

Corruption -- immoral, habitual behavior involving misuse of office for self-interest

Favoritism -- unfair or unjust acts (“breaks”) usually given to friends or relatives

Misconduct -- wrongful violations of a police department's rules, policies, and procedures

LEGITIMACY AND TRUST

Legitimacy and trust are complex issues in policing. Legitimacy refers to how fair or just the
outcomes of policing are, and trust refers to a faith in the procedural justice of policing.

In practice, we combined the two into one big concept called TRUST and use the following
indicators:

 Priorities
 Competency
 Dependability
 Respect

DUTY, DISCRETION, AND DISCRIMINATION

1. Duty consists of the responsibilities attached to a role;

2. Discretion is the ability to choose between two or more courses of action; and

3. Discrimination occurs when a group of individual is treated differently for no justifiable reason.

Ethical Criteria Unethical criteria

How many miles over the speed limit Sexual attraction to motorist (or not)
Dangerousness of place (school zone, work zone) Identity of the motorist
The excuse given (late for work, etc.) Race of the motorist
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 Corruption is a subtype of immorality, and all corrupt actions are a subtype of immoral action.
However, not all immorality is corruption, and not all immoral acts are corrupt acts.

Corrupt acts have a number of properties that other immoral actions do not possess, such as:

(1) Corruption involves manifestation of a regular disposition or habit on the part of the officer;

(2) Corruption exists when the law is seen as hopelessly inadequate and irredeemable, such as
when guilty offenders go unpunished; and

(3) Corruption is driven by narrow, personal or collective self-interest, such as the financial gain
of a group of employees or the career advancement of employee(s):

Definitions of Corruption

Goldstein (1977), - defines corruption as “misuse of authority for personal gain.”

Mucmulla (1961) – defines corruption as “accepting money or money’s worth for doing
something under ta duty not to do or to do anyway.”

Lundman (1980) - defines as “violations of conduct norms that are rarely enforced.”

Police deviance is a much broader term than corruption. It includes all activities which are
inconsistent with norms, values, or ethics. The following definitions may be helpful:

> Deviance -- behavior inconsistent with norms, values, or ethics

> Corruption -- forbidden acts involving misuse of office for gain

> Misconduct -- wrongdoing violations of departmental procedures

> Favoritism -- unfair “breaks” to friends or relatives (nepotism)

Types of Police Deviance

1. Police Gratuity

2. Police Perjury

3. Police Brutality

4. Police Profanity

5. Sex on Duty or Duty-Related

6. Sleeping on Duty

7. Drinking & Abusing Drugs on or off Duty

8. Misuse of Confidential Information

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LAW ENFORCER

“Law enforcer” is one whose prime authority is to enforce the law and whose constitutional
duty is to preserve peace, to defend and protect the people.

There are several law enforcement officers appointed and designated by operation of law.
Police officer is just one them. Thus, there is indeed a clear delineation of duties and responsibilities,
and definition of jurisdiction in the application of their respective law enforcing authority.

As distinguished from other law enforcers, a police officer is a general law enforcer who
executes and enforces all existing general, local, special and penal laws other than those specifically and
exclusively assigned to other law enforcement agencies of the government

HOW TO ENFORCE THE LAW

A law enforcer is presumed to know the law he has sworn to enforce, one must not be allowed
to exercise and perform the delicate duty as a law enforcer unless he knows how to enforce and execute
the law, including its boundaries and imitations otherwise, abuses, anarchy and lawlessness shall prevail.

Law enforcers must:

1. Know the ability to learn how they are interpreted by the courts;

2. Have the ability to learn how they are interpreted by the courts;

3. Know how to properly execute and enforce such laws;

4. Know how and when to properly effect the arrest of offenders;

5. Have the technical and legal know-how to protect and defend the innocent from harassment,
and prosecute offenders who are probably guilty of a felony or a crime.

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