From the International Chiefs of Police:

Law Enforcement Code of Ethics
IACP

As a law enforcement officer, my fundamental duty is to serve the community; 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 to liberty, equality and justice.

I will keep my private life unsullied as an example to all and will behave in a manner that does not bring discredit to me or to my agency. I will 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 both in my personal and official life, I will be exemplary in obeying the law and the regulations of my department. Whatever I see or hear of a confidential nature or 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, political beliefs, aspirations, 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 so long as I am true to the ethics of police service. I will never engage in acts of corruption or bribery, nor will I condone such acts by other police officers. I will cooperate with all legally authorized agencies and their representatives in the pursuit of justice.

I know that I alone am responsible for my own standard of professional performance and will take every reasonable opportunity to enhance and improve my level of knowledge and competence.

I will constantly strive to achieve these objectives and ideals, dedicating myself before God to my chosen profession . . . law enforcement.


Maybe it doesn't apply to Chiefs??

Is there anything for Domestic Chiefs? Not certain if this applies to U.S. police chiefs. I could be wrong. Must a chief follow the rules of the IACP, or are they merely suggestions on how to lead a better life as a police chief. Meaning...did Chief Norton sign this agreement, and is it in his personnel file? Is it a term of employment?

Also, what if a police chief was an atheist? Didn't believe in a higher power? Could he actually follow this code of ethics? This is a good question and I think it should be discussed.

quote:

Also, what if a police chief was an atheist? Didn't believe in a higher power?

I would be extremely opposed to our town requiring anyone to sign an oath requiring that the "dedicat[e] [them]self before God ..."

Of course, I'd prefer that those words be redacted from the Pledge as well ...

Yes it applies to "domestic" Chiefs. Every sworn member of the Department was made to sign it. Violation of this Code is enough to bring charges before the Glen Ellyn Fire and Police Commission for termination. If you don't belive me ask Norton himself if he's used it against his officers. By the way the Fire and Police Board are the only body that can terminate a sworn officer, which is what the Chief is. The Village Board can only demote him to Sergeant, his actual civil service rank.

THE ILLINOIS ASSOCIATION OF CHIEFS OF POLICE

The members of the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police collectively adhere to the principle that standards of professional conduct and ethics for its membership is desirable. This professionalism and performance of police executives statewide will be enhanced, as set forth in the following:



Basic Tenets: The membership of the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police (hereinafter IACP) is dedicated to the principles of effective and democratic local government through the appointment of police executives as established by local government. Members will maintain a professional and practical approach to their duties within the parameters of the policies set by the local governing body and appropriate statutes and ordinances.


IACP members shall be dedicated to the highest ideals of honor and integrity to maintain the respect and confidence of their appointing authority, subordinates, the public and their fellow chiefs.


Members should conduct themselves so as to maintain public confidence in their profession, their department, and in their performance of the public trust.


Members should conduct their official and personal affairs in such a manner so as to give the clear impression they cannot be improperly influenced in the performance of their official duties.



This is just the first several paragraphs. I didn't want to take up an entire page. You can go on their website for the rest. ilchiefs.org

Sounds to me like Zheng He got terminated for violating this? What could he have done?

Seems to me, given the outpouring of support for Chief Norton, that the public and its confidence hasn't been shaken.

I understand where you are coming from, why you are angry with him, why you'd like to see him fall. But as an officer of the law...don't you feel that there should be some solid evidence of wrong doing other than an allegedly jilted spouse? Perhaps there are other motives on his part that we are unaware of.

I understand your desire to see him to fall. And I cannot pretend to know your circumstances or what happened. But I can assure you that revenge will not make you feel any better in the long run or make your case against the police department village any stronger.

J.R. I truly thank you for your advice.

However, you may not know all that was done to destroy me and my family. By posting what I have here has again put them in harms way. Believe me they all know who I am.

I'm here to to speak the truth. What's fair for one should be fair for all, in a honest world. However there is and will always be a double standard applied in the Police Department. Not a higher one.

On this board and in the Village Administration the tendency is to kill the messenger and not listen to the message. Sadly that will also apply to Mr. Jones very soon. I've been through what he is about to face. He has my sympathy.

ZH:

It's highly ironic that you feel so slighted by the "truth" as it was applied to your situation yet come on here to bash others while providing no real "truth" in any of your posts. Do you know exactly what happened? Given what I've heard only the participants do as there was no investigation by the Village to every really find out the "facts". In your situation, were you denied due process and a through review of your issues.

Are you trying to tear down the Chief because you truly feel that he should be removed or are you doing it out of spite. I can't believe that you support the former as you would not have thoroughly appealed your matter and taken it to the steps that you did if you believe what is alleged is a fireable offense.

And all this is based upon my newfound knowledge of your likely identity and a westlaw search to likely confirm it.

Why don't you just let your spite go and sit back and watch from the sidelines while letting the community sort it out.

EDIT - Sorry about the other post...apparently an email was accidentally pasted into the message. Yes, JRB, I'm an idiot.

Ouch! Did the messenger just get killed...

It was not my intent as my post was intentionally vague. But you have to admit, it is hard to reconcile the position you are taking here with the one you took before (although I don't know any facts about that, just what I read in an archived newspaper article).

Nobody knows the facts in my case, even the sitting Village Manager at the time, as no one was allowed to hear them outside of the closed doors of "executive sessions".

If anyone truly knew what was done to me and my family they would not question my motives. As far as those who did what they did they have no reason to be crying foul.

Why have I remained silent all these years? Because I knew there was no one that would listen and I worried about what will now happen to me and my family.

This is not about me, its about what others are alleged to have done.