Professional conduct and ethical standards and a high

degree of honesty are more essential for officers and

members of Philippine National Police (PNP) than for any
member of the society. This is so, because they are
entrusted with the enforcement of the rules, regulations
and ordinances created by City/Municipality and the laws
of the land created by the Congress that guide the
conduct of society. A policemen’s violation or infraction
thereof, or his failure to enforce it, dishonor the law and
the authority he represents.
Declaration of Policy

All members of the Philippine National Police shall abide, adhere to

and internalize the provisions of this Ethical Doctrine. Towards this
end, a truly professionalized and dedicated law enforcer shall be
developed in promoting peace and order. Ensuring public safety and
enhancing community participation guided by the principle that a
public office is a public trust and that all public servants must
at all times be accountable to the people. They shall serve with
utmost responsibility, integrity, morality, loyalty and efficiency with
due respect to human rights and dignity as hallmark of a democratic
society. They shall at all times, support and uphold the Constitution,
bear faithful allegiance to the legitimate government, respect the
duly constituted authority and be loyal to the police service.
DEFINITION OF TERMS

1. Police Ethics- It is the practical science that treats the principle of

human morality and duty as applied to law enforcement.

2. Moonlighting- An act of a member of the PNP pursuing or following

any calling or occupation, or the act of engaging in any business, which
includes but not limited to all activities, jobs, work, and similar functions,
performed, engaged in or undertaking by him, in or off duty hours with or
without compensation, which is inconsistent or incompatible with the PNP
duties or functions. Such as a bouncer, security guard, driver, bodyguard,
confidential agent, watchman and any other occupations of similar nature, in
any enterprise or establishment, public or private, which will prejudice the
interest of law enforcement and public safety
3. Ethical standard – it refers to the set of conducts and behavior governing
a group, a class or organization.

4. Police customs and social decorum – a set of norms and standards

practiced by members during social and other functions.

5. Nonfeasance/Neglect of Duty- It is the omission of some act, which

ought to be performed. It is the omission or refusal without sufficient excuse,
to perform an act or duty, which as a peace officer’s legal obligation to
perform.

6. Misfeasance/Irregularities in the Performance of Duty- It is the

improper performance of some act which might lawfully be done.
7. Malfeasance- It is the performance of some act which ought not to be
done. It is the doing either through ignorance, inattention or malice, of that
which the officer had no legal right to do at al, as when he acts without any
authority whatsoever, or exceeds, ignores, or abuses his powers.

8. Incompetency- It is the manifest lack of adequate ability and fitness for

the satisfactory performance of police duties. This has reference to any
physical intelectual quality, the lack of which substantially incapacitates one
to and perform the duties of peace officers.

9. Oppression- Imports an act of cruelty, severity, unlawful execution, or

excessive use of authority.
10. Dishonesty- It is the concealment or distortion of truth in a manner of
a fact relevant to one’s office or connected with the performance of his
duties.

11. 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.

12. Public official- Includes elective and appointive officials and

employees, permanent or temporary, whether in the career or non-career
service, including military and police personnel, whether or not they
receive compensation or not, regardless of amount.
13. Public Officer or Employee- It means any person holding any
public office or employment by virtue of an appointment, election or contract,
and any person holding any office or employment, by appointment or contract
in any state-owned or controlled corporation.

14. Gift- It refers to the thing or right disposed gratuitously, or any act of
liberality in favor of another who accepts it, and shall include a simulated sale
or ostensibly onerous disposition thereof. It shall not include an unsolicited
gift of nominal or insignificant value not given in anticipation of, or in exchange
for a favor.
ETHICS IN THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE (PNP)
The PNP Professional Conduct and Ethical Standard are based from existing
laws covering public servants as embodied in the Constitution, Revised Penal
Code, RA 6713 (The code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public
Officials and Employees), and other related statutes. The ethical conduct
and standard of the PNP is further enhanced to fit in their nature of their
creation as embodied in the Constitution which is civilian in nature but
military in manner.
FIVE PILLARS TOWARDS AN ETHICAL PNP MEMBER
1. Background of the applicants – this includes the qualification like educational
attainment and morality.

2. Type of training – strengthening the behavior of the selected applicant is believed to

be the objective of the PNP training.

3. Response to training – trainees’ obedience to legal orders is indispensable in

undergoing the training.

4. Determination – trainees’ determination to pursue the required training.

5. Ability to rise when fall – It is but natural to fail but what matter is the ability to
rise especially when put in hot water. Facing the consequences of our action is a sign of
maturity.
 CANNONS OF POLICE ETHICS

1. Primordial Police Responsibility - The primary objective

of police is the prevention of crime.

2. Limitation of Police Authority - As an upholder of the

law, policemen must know the limitation in enforcing the law, thus:
a. He must be aware of the limitations which the people, through
law, have placed him.
b. He must recognize the center of the democratic system of
government, which gives person or group of persons, absolute
power.

c. He must insure that he does not pervert its true character.

3. Knowledge of the Law and other Responsibility -
The policeman shall assiduously apply himself to the principles of the laws, which he is sworn
to apply.

a. He will make certain of his responsibilities in the particular field of enforcement, seeking
aid of his superior in matters technically or in principles not clear to him

b. He shall make special effort to fully understand his relationship with law enforcement
agencies, particularly on matters of jurisdiction, both geographically and substantively.

4. Use of proper Means to Obtain Proper Ends

b. The policeman shall be mindful of his responsibility to have strict selection of methods in discharging
the duty of his office.
b. Violation of law or public safety and property on the part of the officer are intrinsicaly wrong. They are
self-defeating if they instill in the public mind.

c. The employment of Illegal methods, no matter how worthy the end, is certain to encourage disrespect
for the law and its officers, If the law is to be honored, it must first be honored by those who enforce it.

d. it is the proper performance of duty not the nobleness of the objective or mission which should guide
every police officer.
5. Cooperation with Public Officials

a. The policeman shall cooperate fully with other public officials in the performance or
authorized duties, regardless of party affiliation or personal prejudices.
b. He shall be meticulous in law, however, in assuring himself as property, under the law, such
actions shall guard against the use of his office or person whether knowingly or in any
improper or illegal action.

6. Proper Conduct and Behavior

b. The policeman shall be mindful of his special identification by the public as an upholder of
law.

b. The community and the service require that the policeman leads the life of decent and
honorable person, following the career of policeman gives no special pre-requisite.

c. being a law enforcement officer is a noble profession, it follows that every law enforcer
must think, act and speak with decency and appropriately.
7. Conduct towards the Community

a. The policeman shall be mindful of his responsibility to the community

b. He shall deal with individuals of the community in the manner calculated to instill respect
for its law.
c. He shall conduct his official life in a manner that will inspire confidence and trust.
d. He will do neither personal preference nor prejudice but rather a duly appointed officer
of the law discharging his sworn obligation.

8. Conduct in Arresting Law Violator

a. Policeman shall use his powers to arrest in accordance with the law and with due regard
to the rights of the citizen concerned.
b. He shall, at al times, have a clear appreciation of his responsibilities and limitation
regarding the detention of the accused.
c. He shall conduct himself in such a manner as will minimize the possibility of having to use
force.
d. He shall cultivate a dedication to the people and the equitable upholding of the law
whether in the handling of the accused or law-abiding citizen.
9. Firmness in Refusing Gifts or Favors

a. Policeman representing the government bears heavy responsibility of maintaining, in his conduct, the
honor and integrity of all government institution.
b. He shall guard against placing himself in a Position in which the public can reasonably assume that
special consideration is being given.
c. He shall be firm in refusing gifts, favors or gratitude, large or small, which can be public mind, be
interpreted as capable of influencing his judgment in the discharge of his duties.

10. Attitude towards Police Profession

a. Policeman shall regard the best possible of his duties as a public trust and recognize his responsibilities
as a public servant.
b. He shall strive to make the best possible application of science to the selection of the crime and in the
field of human relation.
c. He shall strive for effecting leadership and public influence in matters affecting public safety.
d. He shall appreciate the importance and responsibility of his office, and hold police work to be an
honorable profession rendering valuable service to his community.
e. Through study and experience, a police officer can acquire the high level of knowledge and competence
that is essential for the efficient and effective performance of duty. The acquisition of knowledge is a
never- ending process of personal and professional development that should be pursued constantly.
11. Impartial Presentation of Evidence
a. Policeman shall be concerned equally in the prosecution of the
accused or for the defense of the innocent

b. He shall ascertain what kind of evidence and shall present such

evidence impartially and without malice.

c. He shall ignore social, political and all other distinction among the
person involved, strengthen