TOPIC OVERVIEW .
This lesson serves to give students access to the NPF code of conduct. This is the foundation for all officers in today's challenging times, where they need to build trust with the people they serve.
OBJECTIVES .
The objective is to provide new and existing officers with the foundation from which they will build trust with the people they serve - the Nigerian communities. The it is important for NPF officers to understand that the code of conducts important regardless of rank or role within the NPF.
REQUIRED MATERIALS .
Students require a file and/or folder, pen and paper and this will form the basis of the student's "Best Book".
CONTENT (LESSON BODY) .
THE CODE OF CONDUCT.
The purpose of having a code of conduct is to provide all members of the Nigeria Police Force with a set of guiding principles and standards of behaviour while on or off-duty. This code of conduct will encompass the following:
THIS IS THE NPF CODE OF CONDUCT.
The purpose of having a code of conduct is to provide all members of the Nigeria Police Force with a set of guiding principles and standards of behaviour while on or off-duty. This code of conduct will encompass the following:
- Primary Responsibilities of a Police Officer. A police officer acts as an official representative of government who is required and trusted to work within the law. The officer’s powers and duties are conferred by statute. The fundamental duties of a police officer include serving the community, safeguarding lives and property, protecting the innocent, keeping the peace and ensuring the rights of all to liberty, equality and justice.
- Performance of duties as a police officer. A police officer shall perform all duties impartially; without favour of affection or ill-will. This should be without regard regard to status, sex, race, religion, political belief or aspiration.
- Discretion. A Police officer will use responsibly, the discretion vested in his position and exercise it within the law.\Use of Force. A police officer will never employ unnecessary force or violence.
- Confidentiality. Whatever a police officer sees, hears or learns which is of a confidential nature.
- Integrity. A police officer will not engage in acts of corruption or bribery.
THIS IS THE NPF CODE OF CONDUCT.
- CODE OF CONDUCT ONE. Police officers shall conduct themselves, whether on or off duty, in accordance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and all applicable laws, ordinances and rules enacted or established pursuant to legal authority.
- CODE OF CONDUCT TWO. Police officers shall refrain from any conduct in an official capacity that detracts from the public’s faith in the integrity of the criminal justice system.
- CODE OF CONDUCT THREE. Police officers shall perform their duties and apply the law impartially and without prejudice or discrimination.
- CODE OF CONDUCT FOUR. Police officers shall not, whether on or off duty, exhibit any conduct which discredits themselves or the Force or otherwise impairs their ability or that of other officers or the Force to provide law enforcement services to the community.
- CODE OF CONDUCT FIVE. Police officers shall treat all members of the public courteously and with respect.
- CODE OF CONDUCT SIX. Police officers shall not compromise their integrity nor that of the Force, by accepting, giving or soliciting any gratuity which could be reasonably interpreted as capable of influencing their official acts or judgments, or by using their status as a police officer for personal, commercial, or political gain.
- CODE OF CONDUCT SEVEN. Police officers shall not compromise their integrity, nor that of their Force, by taking or attempting to influence actions when a conflict of interest exists.
- CODE OF CONDUCT EIGHT. Police officers shall observe the confidentiality of information available to them due to their status as police officers.
ASSESSMENT .
All NPF officers should learnt and understand this Code Of Conduct fully. The assessment is evidenced by violations of the Code.
SUMMARY & TAKEAWAY .
The Nigeria Police Force is there to serve the community. Trust can only be created with the communities they serve if ALL officers adhere to the code in both their professional AND personal lives.
LOOK FORWARD TO .
Ethics 2 examines further moral issues in policing.