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Ethical Code for the Police
Ethical Code for the police is one of the elements of good corporate governance. The police’s Ethical Code consists of eight principles that derive from our values. Even routine police work can present officers with situations that require them to make difficult choices on the spot. Our Ethical Code is designed to guide us in these choices and thereby promote better corporate governance and build public trust in the police.
"Our Ethical Code does not give clear solutions to individual conflicts or tell us how to act in a certain situation. Instead, it makes us more aware of our rights and responsibilities as members of our community. It reflects our values and helps to translate them into practice. Our Ethical Code guides every aspect of police work and every decision and choice we make in our professional capacity."
Deputy Police Chief Heidi Nuoritalo, Häme Police Department
The Ethical Code for the police is designed to reinforce and complement our code of conduct. The key is for every one of us to embrace these ethical principles and apply them in our work. The leadership’s role is to help the organisation to achieve its goals and set an example by their own actions.
Ethics are built into the basic training of police officers
According to Himberg, ethics are at the core of police training and one of the horizontal themes of the basic training course.
"The police’s duty to protect fundamental rights, fairness, and knowing and respecting the limits to the police’s powers; these principles are enshrined in the Police Act and incorporated into every aspect of training."
Kimmo Himberg, Director of the Police University College
Poliisin eettinen koodisto -haitari en
Citizens should be able to trust the police in all situations. For this reason, our activities are predictable, and have a legal basis. We will never resort to unlawful methods in our duties. We will secure the realisation of fundamental and human rights in all our activities.
Discrimination or harassment are not tolerated in our working community on any grounds. We are humane and are all responsible for not encouraging discriminating or degrading conduct in our own actions or in that of others.
We treat all people, both our customers and colleagues, equally, regardless of their individual characteristics or background. We will not take a derogatory, degrading or prejudiced attitude to anyone. We encourage all people, regardless of their background, to seek employment in the police administration, and will support everyone’s career development equally.
We exercise significant authority in society and acknowledge that in order to control this authority we must provide information on our activities. Our activities will always be as transparent as possible, in accordance with the principle of transparency. We actively produce statistical and other data to support public debate, and we communicate actively using modern communication methods.
At the same time, we make sure that we will never leak confidential information given to us. We will only use our data systems to carry out our duties and will ensure a high level of data security in all situations.
Legislation sets a specific requirement for our conduct that we will adhere to in our duties and in our private life. We will not behave in a manner that would put at risk the confidence that people have in policing.
The Finnish police is represented by a competent and professional police and civilian staff. Regardless of rank, we all give face to our organisation and form the image that citizens have of policing.
The police can be identified by the uniform that we carry with pride and in accordance with the relevant regulations.
In our duties, we will not seek personal gain and we will observe the disqualification provisions in all our activities. We cannot be bribed and will not accept financial or other benefits that might put at risk the confidence that people have in us.
Our personal commitments will not put at risk our ability to carry out our duties in an appropriate and equal manner. We adhere to the instructions regarding secondary employment.
It is of utmost importance to us that citizens and society trust us. We show others respect, sincerity and honesty. We are true to our word.
We value good working community skills. Sustainable well-being at work is based on cooperation of all staff members. We know how to adapt our activities in changing environment, and we are always willing to learn.
We support each other in difficult situations. In our working community, we promote transparency and help build a trusting atmosphere. We are committed to our organisation and its values.
Our most important resource is the cooperating community that shares knowledge.
We lead in a just, responsible and ethical manner. We will not compromise on ethical principles even when we need to make decisions and take action quickly. Our leadership includes the legality and quality control of operations.
Good-quality leadership helps us to achieve the goals set for us. Supervisory work ensures open interaction and helps us to develop cooperation among staff members in a systematic manner.
We value the individuals’ experience, skills and views regardless of their duties. This is how we can create the basis for building trust, well-being at work, developing personal skills, and success at work.
We use the available human resources, the allocated funds and property, and our other resources in the most appropriate and effective manner in accordance with the requirements of our duties.
Our use of funds is transparent and documented. The procurement of goods required for our operations is conducted systematically, taking financial aspects into consideration. We will all ensure that we handle all property in police possession responsibly.