1.1 - 1
General Order 1.1 Olympia Police Department

Last Revised: 11/1/03

SUBJECT: LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY ROLE
This order consists of the following numbered sections:
1.1.1 Oath of office
1.1.2 Code of Ethics and Code of Professional Conduct and Responsibility
1.1.3 Department values
1.1.4 Teamwork standards

1.1.1 Oath of office
All personnel, prior to assuming commissioned status, will take and abide by an oath of office to the Constitution and laws of the United States, the State of Washington and the ordinances of the City of Olympia.

1.1.2 Code of Ethics and Code of Professional Conduct and Responsibility
The Olympia Police Department (the “Department”) has adopted the Olympia Police Department Code of Professional Conduct and Responsibility, which is a part of the General Orders. All Department personnel are expected to abide by these standards. Additionally, commissioned personnel may choose to follow the
nationally published Law Enforcement Code of Ethics, the text of which is as follows:

LAW ENFORCEMENT CODE OF ETHICS

“As a law enforcement officer, my fundamental duty is to serve the public; to safeguard lives and property; to protect the innocent against deception, the weak against oppression or intimidation, and the peaceful against violence or disorder; and to respect the Constitutional rights of all persons of liberty, equality and justice.

I will keep my private life unsullied as an example to all, maintain courageous calm in the face of danger, scorn, or ridicule, develop self-restraint, and be constantly mindful of the welfare of others. Honest in thought and deed in both my personal and official life, I will be exemplary in obeying the laws of the land and the regulations of my department. Whatever I see or hear of a confidential nature of that is confided to me in my official capacity will be kept ever secret unless revelation is necessary in the performance of my duty.

I will never act officiously or permit personal feelings, prejudices, animosities or friendships to influence my decisions. With no compromise for crime and with
relentless prosecution of criminals, I will enforce the law courteously and appropriately without fear or favor, malice or ill will, never employing unnecessary force or violence and never accepting gratuities. I recognize the badge of my office as a symbol of public faith and I accept it as a public trust to be held as long as I am true to the ethics of the police service. I will constantly strive
to achieve these objectives and ideals, dedicating myself before God to my chosen profession -- law enforcement.”©

OLYMPIA POLICE DEPARTMENT CODE OF
PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT AND
RESPONSIBILITY

I. GENERAL STATEMENT
Police officers and police employees are granted a public trust which requires that they consistently demonstrate the highest degree of personal and professional integrity.

To be worthy of this public trust, and to ensure that their professional conduct is above reproach, members of the Department are expected to abide by the nine Canons of Ethics which constitute the Olympia Police Department Code of Professional Conduct and Responsibility as a means of internal regulation.
Nothing in the Olympia Police Department Code of Professional Conduct and Responsibility is intended to limit or supersede any provision of law relating to the duties and obligations of peace officers or the consequences of violation thereof. Likewise, nothing in the Code is intended to limit the authority of the
Department to adopt and enforce rules and regulations that are more stringent or comprehensive than those contained in the Code.

II. CANONS OF ETHICS

CANON ONE

OLYMPIA POLICE EMPLOYEES SHALL UPHOLD THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES, THE STATE OF WASHINGTON, THE ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF OLYMPIA AND ALL LAWS ENACTED OR ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO LEGALLY
CONSTITUTED AUTHORITY.

CANON TWO

OLYMPIA POLICE EMPLOYEES SHALL BE AWARE OF AND USE PROPER AND ETHICAL PROCEDURES IN DISCHARGING THEIR OFFICIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES.

CANON THREE

OLYMPIA POLICE EMPLOYEES SHALL REGARD THE DISCHARGE OF THEIR DUTIES AS A PUBLIC TRUST AND SHALL RECOGNIZE THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES TO THE PEOPLE WHOM THEY SERVE.

CANON FOUR

OLYMPIA POLICE EMPLOYEES WILL SO CONDUCT THEIR PUBLIC AND PRIVATE LIVES THAT THEY EXEMPLIFY THE HIGH STANDARDS OF INTEGRITY, TRUST, AND MORALITY DEMANDED OF MEMBERS OF THE LAW ENFORCEMENT PROFESSION.

CANON FIVE

OLYMPIA POLICE EMPLOYEES SHALL RECOGNIZE THAT OUR SOCIETY HOLDS THE FREEDOM OF THE INDIVIDUAL AS A PARAMOUNT PRECEPT WHICH SHALL NOT BE INFRINGED UPON WITHOUT JUST, LEGAL AND NECESSARY CAUSE.

CANON SIX

OLYMPIA POLICE EMPLOYEES SHALL ASSIST IN MAINTAINING THE INTEGRITY AND COMPETENCE OF THE LAW ENFORCEMENT PROFESSION.

CANON SEVEN

OLYMPIA POLICE EMPLOYEES SHALL COOPERATE WITH OTHER OFFICIALS AND ORGANIZATIONS WHO ARE USING LEGAL AND ETHICAL MEANS TO ACHIEVE THE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE LAW ENFORCEMENT PROFESSION.

CANON EIGHT

OLYMPIA POLICE EMPLOYEES SHALL NOT COMPROMISE THEIR INTEGRITY, NOR THAT OF THEIR AGENCY OR PROFESSION, BY ACCEPTING, GIVING OR SOLICITING ANY GRATUITY.

CANON NINE

OLYMPIA POLICE EMPLOYEES SHALL OBSERVE THE CONFIDENTIALITY OF INFORMATION, AVAILABLE TO THEM THROUGH ANY SOURCE, AS IT RELATES TO THE LAW ENFORCEMENT PROFESSION.

1.1.3 Department values

The employees of the Olympia Police Department are pledged to provide excellent service to the community. Well-prepared, motivated employees are required to achieve this excellence. The Department values and recognizes the contributions of individual employees and the diversity employees bring to the Department and the community.

It is the obligation of the Department to provide leadership, training and support to each employee. It is the obligation of each employee to conduct his/her professional life in a manner that reflects the mission, values and standards of the Department.

To achieve and maintain superior standards for both performance and work product, the following values are established:

I. Quality Law Enforcement: The Department is committed to providing a safe community for the citizens of Olympia through diligent crime prevention,
prompt arrest when appropriate, and thorough, professional investigation of law violations.

II. Community Policing: The Department recognizes that a problem-solving partnership between the Department and the community is essential for
effective law enforcement and crime prevention. This philosophy is incorporated into all operations of the Department. Employees are recognized for their
creativity and innovation when building quality partnerships between the police and the community.

III. Empowerment and Innovation: The Department encourages and empowers employees to find creative and innovative solutions to community problems. It is understood and accepted that most problems can be solved successfully in a variety of ways.

IV. Accountability: All employees are responsible and accountable for adhering to the mission and values set forth by the Department.

V. Responsiveness: Employees respond appropriately and in a timely manner to the needs of the community and fellow employees.

VI. Recognition: All employees are valued for their unique contributions to the organization. Employees are formally and informally recognized for their contributions.