ETHICS AND PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT

Police Ethics – practices and attitude the police adopts in order to create a
mutually supportive relationship between their agency and the community
PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE CODE OF ETHICS
PNP Core Values (broad)
Police Service is a noble profession which demands from its members
specialized knowledge and skills, as well as standards of ethics and
morality.
1. Maka-Diyos (God Fearing) - All PNP Personnel must believe in God,
who is the Creator of all men and everything on the planet. Seek His
guidance in the performance of sworn duties and honor Him at all times.
2. Maka-Bayan (Nationalistic) - All PNP Personnel must respect and
uphold the Constitution, the laws of the land and the applicable rules and
regulations. Recognize the legitimacy and authority of the leadership and
obey legal orders of the superior officers.
3. Maka-Tao (Humane) - Committing to the service of my fellowmen over
and above the personalinterest.
4. Maka-Kalikasan (Environment-friendly) - Inhibiting from extravagance
and ostentatious display of material things. Respect for private and public
properties and prevent others from destroying them. And finally, shall help
protect the environment and conserve nature to maintain ecological balance
PNP Core Value (basic)
 Love of God;
 Respect of Authority;
 Selfless love and service for peace;
 Respect for women and the sanctity of marriage;
 Responsible dominion and stewardship over material things; and
 Truthfulness.
Police Officer’s Creed
I believe in God, The Supreme Being, The Great Provider, and The Creator
of all men and everything dear to me. In return, I can do no less than love
Him above all obeying His word, seek His guidance in the performance of
my sworn duties and honor Him at all times.

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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 authority of the leadership, 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
interest.
I believe in the sanctity of marriage and family life. I shall set the exait
ismple of decency and morality, I shall have high regard for family life and
value of marital fidelity.
I believe in the responsible dominion and stewardship over material
things. I shall inhibit myself from extravagance and ostentatious display of
material things. I shall help protect the environment and conserve nature to
maintain ecological balance.
I believe in the wisdom of truthfulness. I must be trustworthy and I
shall uphold the truth at all times.

Police Officer’s Creed (main essence):

 Belief in God;
 Respect for authority is a duty;
 Belief in selfless love and service for people;
 Belief in sanctity of marriage and respect for women;
 Responsible dominion and stewardship over material things; and
 Belief in the wisdom of truthfulness.
PNP Stands on Basic Issues:
1. PNP image – affects esprit de corps, morale, welfare and sense of
pride of the organization; PNP members should behave in a manner
that would not place the PNP in bad light
2. Career Management, the key to professionalism – its improper
implementation would prejudice professionalization process; the
PNP shall form stringent policies and implement strict human
resource development system
3. Police Management Leadership – law enforcement effectiveness
reflects management capabilities and competent leadership; such

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 attributes should be the primary basis for consideration in the
selection of personnel for employment and deployment purposes
4. Equality in the service – there shall be judicious and equitable
distribution of opportunity to prove one’s worth; the civilian character
of the PNP organization requires adherence to the rule on merit and
fitness system
5. Delicadeza – all members must have moral courage to sacrifice
self-interest
6. Police life style – must be acceptable and respectable in the eyes of
the public; PNP members must be free from greed, corruption and
exploitation, living a simple but credible and dignified life
7. Political patronage – PNP members must inhibit themselves from
soliciting political patronage in matters pertaining to assignment,
awards, training and promotion
8. Human rights – PNP members must respect and protect human
dignity and man’s inalienable rights to life, liberty and property
Standards of Police Professionalization
All PNP members shall perform their duties with excellence, competence,
integrity, intelligence, and expertise in the application of specialized skill and
technical knowledge.
Police Professional Conduct:
Commitment to democracy – uphold constitution; public accountability;
loyalty to country, people, and organization
Commitment to public interest – judicious use of gov’t properties; avoiding
unnecessary wastage of public funds and revenues
Non-partisanship – equal service to everyone
Physical fitness and health;
Secrecy discipline;
Social awareness;
Non-Solicitation of Patronage;
Proper care and usage of public property;
Respect for human rights;
Devotion to duty;
Conservation of natural resources;
Discipline;
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Loyalty;
Obedience;
Command responsibility;
Ethical Standards shall refer to established and generally accepted
moral value:
 Morality – conformity to rules of right conduct
 Judicious use of Authority – being non-abusive in the use of
authority
 Integrity – soundness of moral character
 Justice – rightfulness or lawfulness
 Humility – modest opinion or estimate of one's own importance,
rank, etc.
 Orderliness – observance of system or method
 Perseverance – persistence in spite of difficulties
Customs and Traditions:
Customs – established social practices
Traditions – beliefs handed form one generation to another
Courtesy – manifestation of respect
Ceremony – customary formal acts proper to a special occasion
Social decorum – norms practiced by members during a social function
Police Customs on Courtesy:
Salute – given to higher officers and individuals entitled to such
Salute to National Color and Standard – given to the national flag whenever
it passes by or when raised or lowered during ceremonies
Address/Title – addressed to higher officers
Courtesy Calls:
Courtesy call of new appointees – given by new appointees to the chief of
the unit for orientation, accounting and other purposes
Christmas and New Years call – given to the unit commander or chief during
said occasions
Promotion call – given by newly promoted officers
Exit call – given by officers who are relieved or reassigned out of the unit or
command.
Courtesy of the Post – hospitality given by the host unit to any visiting unit or
personnel
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Rank has its own Privilege(RHIP) – recognition of the fact that different
ranks carries with them certain privileges
Other Police Customs’ Courtesy:
Flag Ceremonies
a. Flag raising ceremony – an honor to the flag given during the start of a
day’s work
b. Flag lowering – given before ending a day’s work
c. Half Mast – raising the flag at half-mast as courtesy to the departed
members of the organization
d. Funeral Service and Honors – vigil, necrological services and graveside
honors given as a gesture of farewell to the departed members
e.g. 21-gun Salute
Ceremony tendered to Retirees – a testimonial activity tendered to retiring
members
Honor ceremony – arrival and departure ceremonies tendered to visiting
dignitaries
Turnover ceremony – relinquishment and assumption of command or
positions
Wedding ceremony – conducted with members in full gala uniform and with
swords drawn as gesture of salute
Anniversary – commemoration of establishment of a command or unit
Police Customs on Social decorum:
 Proper attire;
 Table manner;
 Social graces;
 Uniform/appearance; and
 Manner of walking.
Other Police Customs:
 Visiting the sick;
 Survivor assistance to heirs of deceased members;
 Visiting the religious leaders;
 Athletics; and
 Happy hours (every Friday, or any day suitable for a particular
occasion)
Traditions:
 Spiritual beliefs;
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  Valor;
 Patriotism;
 Discipline;
 Gentlemanliness;
 Word of Honor;
 Duty;
 Loyalty; and
 Camaraderie.
Police Officer’s Pledge (POP):
1. I will love and serve God, my country and people;
2. I will uphold the Constitution and obey legal orders of the duty
constitutional authorities;
3. I will oblige myself to maintain a high standard of morality and
professionalism;
4. I will respect the customs and traditions of the police service; and
5. I will live decent and virtuous life to serve as an example to others.

REPUBLIC ACT 6713

AN ACT ESTABLISHING A CODE OF CONDUCT AND ETHICAL

STANDARDS FOR PUBLIC OFFICIALS AND EMPLOYEES, TO UPHOLD
THE TIME-HONORED PRINCIPLE OF PUBLIC OFFICE BEING A PUBLIC
TRUST, GRANTING INCENTIVES AND REWARDS FOR EXEMPLARY
SERVICE, ENUMERATING PROHIBITED ACTS AND TRANSACTIONS
AND PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS THEREOF AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES

Section 4, RA 6713 Norms of Conduct of Public Officials and Employees. -

(A) Every public official and employee shall observe the following as
standards of personal conduct in the discharge and execution of official
duties:

(a) Commitment to public interest. - Public officials and employees shall

always uphold the public interest over and above personal interest. All
government resources and powers of their respective offices must be
employed and used efficiently, effectively, honestly and economically,
particularly to avoid wastage in public funds and revenues.

(b) Professionalism. - Public officials and employees shall perform and

discharge their duties with the highest degree of excellence,
professionalism, intelligence and skill. They shall enter public service with
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utmost devotion and dedication to duty. They shall endeavor to discourage
wrong perceptions of their roles as dispensers or peddlers of undue
patronage.

(c) Justness and sincerity. - Public officials and employees shall remain true
to the people at all times. They must act with justness and sincerity and shall
not discriminate against anyone, especially the poor and the
underprivileged. They shall at all times respect the rights of others, and shall
refrain from doing acts contrary to law, good morals, good customs, public
policy, public order, public safety and public interest. They shall not
dispense or extend undue favors on account of their office to their relatives
whether by consanguinity or affinity except with respect to appointments of
such relatives to positions considered strictly confidential or as members of
their personal staff whose terms are coterminous with theirs.

(d) Political neutrality. - Public officials and employees shall provide service
to everyone without unfair discrimination and regardless of party affiliation or
preference.

(e) Responsiveness to the public. - Public officials and employees shall

extend prompt, courteous, and adequate service to the public. Unless
otherwise provided by law or when required by the public interest, public
officials and employees shall provide information of their policies and
procedures in clear and understandable language, ensure openness of
information, public consultations and hearings whenever appropriate,
encourage suggestions, simplify and systematize policy, rules and
procedures, avoid red tape and develop an understanding and appreciation
of the socio-economic conditions prevailing in the country, especially in the
depressed rural and urban areas.

(f) Nationalism and patriotism. - Public officials and employees shall at all
times be loyal to the Republic and to the Filipino people, promote the use of
locally produced goods, resources and technology and encourage
appreciation and pride of country and people. They shall endeavor to
maintain and defend Philippine sovereignty against foreign intrusion.

(g) Commitment to democracy. - Public officials and employees shall commit

themselves to the democratic way of life and values, maintain the principle
of public accountability, and manifest by deeds the supremacy of civilian
authority over the military. They shall at all times uphold the Constitution and
put loyalty to country above loyalty to persons or party.

(h) Simple living. - Public officials and employees and their families shall
lead modest lives appropriate to their positions and income. They shall not
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indulge in extravagant or ostentatious display of wealth in any form.