New Code of Ethics for policing unveiled
A new Code of Ethics for policing has been launched to outline the professional behaviours that the public can expect to see from officers, staff and volunteers.
The College of Policing says the code supports everyone in policing to “deliver a service that is fair, ethical and can be trusted to make decisions in the interest of keeping people safe”.
It said the new code reflects the challenges of modern-day policing and supports all officers and staff to do the right things, in the right way and for the right reasons.
The Code of Ethics will work alongside a separate statutory Code of Practice for Ethical Policing, which was launched in December and sets out the actions that chief officers should take to support people in their force to use the ethical policing principles and to demonstrate professional behaviour.
The Code of Ethics, which launched on Wednesday (January 24), sets out the sense of public service, respect and empathy and courage that everyone in policing uses to protect the public.
It outlines how policing will work with the public and is designed to support officers and staff who “want to do a brilliant job for their community”, the college said.
The code replaces the previous version, which was published more than a decade ago, and reduces the previous nine policing principles into three, which are easier to use and understand:
It highlights the importance of learning from the outcome of past behaviours and situations while setting out what good policing looks like, including:
- Being open, honest, and candid;
- Fairness and respect;
- Decision making;
- Recognising the opportunity to learn;
- Challenging unprofessional behaviour; and
- When behaviour does not meet expectations.
Assistant Chief Constable Tom Harding, College of Policing’s director of Operational Standards, said: “Police officers and staff join the service to keep the public safe and protect them from criminals. The new Code of Ethics is about supporting everyone in policing to deliver this with courage, respect, and empathy and with public service at the heart of all decisions”
The code is hosted on the College of Policing website and has been developed by serving police officers, police staff, academics, and representatives from partner organisations.
It is based on evidence and first-hand experience to make sure everyone working in policing, including staff and volunteers, feels fully supported within their roles.
Mr Harding added: “We’ve now got three simple and easy to use principles that will help us all to do the right thing, in the right way, for the right reasons.
“The Code of Ethics will support officers and staff operating in a fast-paced environment, making split-second decisions which can have an enormous effect on people’s lives.
“Using the new code will support officers through their decision-making process, to ensure they are applying professional judgment and reflecting on past experiences.”
Police Superintendents’ Association acting president Nick Smart said: “Integrity, ethics and standards are of the utmost importance for policing, and it is crucial that the framework for what is expected of our workforce is clear, and rooted in the highest professional values.
“As a staff association, we are in full support of guidance that ensures this, and that mandates what is expected of anyone working in policing.
“It is right that guidance and policy such as this, which is so critical to our service, is regularly reviewed and refreshed, and we have welcomed this process. We have engaged with the college throughout and provided insight and feedback on behalf of our members.
“We welcome the focus that the new code brings to the importance of culture within policing, the role of leadership, and the importance of learning.
“Going forward, it will be critical that a plan to implement the new code is supported by clear, transparent guidance and training for the workforce, supplemented by instruction on how it must work alongside other statutory guidance. It is also important that issues such as ‘duty of candour,’ which have been introduced into the new code, are clearly explained to avoid misinterpretation and inconsistency across forces.
“As superintendents, our members will be at the forefront of efforts to implement this important work, and we will continue to work closely with the college to support understanding and implementation across the workforce.”