If you have been following this blog, you will know that I am concerned about what lies ahead for police under the administration of Donald Trump. I was quite active blogging during his first term of office. I addressed a number of his decisions that I thought negatively affected police in America. Most notably, his comment that it was okay for police not to protect the head of a suspect when seating them in the backseat of their police vehicle. I wrote about this in August of 2017.
There were other presidential positions that worried me about his administration. In 2019, I wrote him a letter. I remain worried. [You can find more about my comments on Trump’s first administration by searching my posts during the years 2016-2020.]
I worked many years with conservatives. Sure, they didn’t always agree with my decisions, but we had a decent conversations about why it was a good idea to diversify the department, permit non-violent public protest, care for persons on the margins of society, and how we were using force to achieve our goals. I have continue to welcome those discussions.
What I want to say to police today is to remember who you are. You are the men and women who help hold this society together because you are our Constitution’s “boots on the ground.” As I have written before, you are our nation’s “social glue;” you hold things together. It is you who are called to model what we believe and who we are as a nation – a nation defined by a 250 year old dream our Constitution and Bill of Rights. You are the value-people who daily demonstrate what fairness, respect, and justice are.
There are few jobs in our society that are as important as yours is.
What I loved most about being a cop was my ability to set a situation right; to manage conflict and keep people from hurting, abusing, or taking advantage of others. When you put on that badge of office, you become America in the words you use and the actions you take. That is a high calling.
So as we move into the first year of a new presidency; new leadership in criminal justice, let every police officer and sheriff’s deputy remember the mission embodied in their Code of Ethics.
Police Code of Ethics (abbreviated)
- Serve the community. Safeguard lives and property. Maintain peace and order.
- Uphold the Constitution. Honor the rights of all to life, liberty, equality, and justice.
- Never employ unnecessary force.
- Obey the laws you are sworn to enforce.
- Live by example.
- Exercise self-restraint. Maintain courage in the face of danger, scorn, or ridicule.
- Be constantly mindful of the welfare of others as well as your own.
- Never act officiously or permit bias or personal gain to influence your decisions.
- Protect the vulnerable from harm.
- Apprehend offenders, professionally, and appropriately.
- Do not solicit or accept any gifts, bribes, or anything of value from any person or entity.
- Intervene in any unjustifiable acts by members of your profession.
- Cooperate with all legally authorized agencies in the pursuit of justice.
- Enhance and improve your level of knowledge and competence.
- Strive to achieve these principles, dedicating yourself to your work.
Our democracy and way of life depends on you who are our police. If you fail to resist those who try to block or compromise your lawful mission, we will all fail as a nation and a people. Godspeed!
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The full Code of Ethics adopted by the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) in 1957 and updated last year can be found HERE.
Improving Police: A Necessary Conversation 