Ethics

Law enforcement administrators agree that upholding professional ethics and integrity is critically important for the profession. From recruiting and selection, through promotions and assignments, to training and field activities, no other factor weaves such a powerful web through every aspect of policing. There is a critical need to heighten the awareness and visibility of our ethical standards, both internally and externally. The IACP offers resources designed to provide guidance, instructional assistance, and resources to chief executives, planners, instructors, supervisors and officers on the topic of ethics in policing.

The Oath of Honor

The IACP Governing Body recently revised the IACP Oath of Honor to punctuate the importance of treating all individuals with dignity and respect and ensuring…

See Details

The Oath of Honor

Policing Code of Ethics

The IACP adopted the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics at the 64th Annual IACP Conference and Exposition in October 1957, and updated it in 2024…

See Details

Policing Code of Ethics

Policy Center Resources

See All

Eyewitness Identification

Law enforcement agencies should develop evidence-based guidelines for effectively conducting eyewitness identifications in order to maximize the reliability of identifications, minimize erroneous identifications, and gather evidence...

Policy Center Resource

Read more about Eyewitness Identification

Harassment and Discrimination

In a time where the costs of liability insurance continue to rise driving many towns to self-insure or join insurance pools, law enforcement executives have...

Policy Center Resource

Read more about Harassment, Discrimination, and Unprofessional Conduct

Standards of Conduct

Law enforcement officers must accept and abide by a high ethical and moral standard that is consistent with the rule of law they are sworn...

Policy Center Resource

Read more about Standards of Conduct

Bias-Free Policing

Persons having contact with members of a law enforcement agency should be treated in a fair, impartial, equitable, and objective manner, in accordance with law, and without...

Policy/Protocol

Read more about Bias-Free Policing

Resources

Bias-Free Policing

WHEREAS, in a free society, law enforcement is entrusted and expected to protect the civil rights of its citizens; and

WHEREAS, the overwhelming majority of...

Resolution

Read more about Bias-Free Policing

Medical Standards

WHEREAS, the International Association of Chiefs of Police meeting at its 104th Annual Conference in Orlando, Florida, passed a resolution urging all governments and governing...

Resolution

Read more about Medical Standards

In Support of the Establishment of a Nationally Accessible Database for Decertified Law Enforcement Officers

WHEREAS, the members of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) support and encourage the highest standards of conduct in themselves and the people...

Resolution

Read more about In Support of the Establishment of a Nationally Accessible Database for Decertified Law Enforcement Officers

Police Accountability Funding

WHEREAS, the integrity and professional conduct of law enforcement officers is essential to the impartial administration of justice and to maintaining public trust and confidence...

Resolution

Read more about Police Accountability Funding

See All Resources