Dorset Police 2024
9. Our code of ethics
Ethical policing
The Code of Ethics consists of a concise set of ethical policing principles and guidance on how to apply them.
Ethical policing principles
These are a series of guiding statements that help people in policing do the right thing, in the right way, for the right reasons:
- Courage – making, communicating and being accountable for decisions, and standing against anything that could bring our profession into disrepute.
- Respect and empathy – encouraging, listening to and understanding the views of others and seeking to recognise and respond to the physical, mental and emotional challenges that we and other people may face.
- Public service – working in the public interest, fostering public trust and confidence, and taking pride in providing an excellent service to the public.
Guidance for ethical and professional behaviour in policing
This assists with building a positive workplace culture by spelling out what good policing looks like and by promoting professional conduct and decision making. Within the guidance, information is provided on:
- being a member of a policing profession
- being open, honest and candid
- fairness and respect
- decision making
- recognising the opportunity to learn
- challenging unacceptable behaviour
- when behaviour does not meet expectation
A statutory Code of Practice complements the Code of Ethics. The purpose of this code is to set out the actions that chief officers should carry out to ensure that they lead an ethical culture, where staff are supported and directed to use the ethical policing principles in decision making and to demonstrate professional behaviour.
Specific expectations for how chief officers should lead and organise their forces include:
- ensuring ethical and professional behaviour
- challenging unprofessional behaviour
- staff welfare
- ensuring openness and candour
- continuing professional development
- recognising and responding to misconduct
Together, these elements support everyone in policing to provide ethical and professional policing services.