Newly elected San Francisco Sheriff Vicki Hennessey was not my pick for sheriff in the past election – she had the backing of the law enforcement unions, and criticized then incumbent Ross Mirkarimi for not doing enough to cooperate with federal immigration agents.
However, she is at least sounding some appropriate notes in her new role. In the latest Sheriff's Dept. newsletter, she writes of having deputies at her swearing-in ceremony recite with her something called the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics. I hadn't read about this, nor do I recall hearing about this code before, and thought others might likewise find the material of interest:
In January, during my swearing-in ceremony, I spoke about my vision for the department as one which includes a professional, well-trained, compassionate, dedicated staff of public servants. Public servants who perform their duties with an understanding of the balance between criminal justice and social justice. Public servants, who are led by someone who holds herself accountable and will also hold each of them accountable. Public servants who meet or exceed expectations. At the conclusion of my remarks, I invited attending law enforcement staff to confirm their dedication to the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics by reciting it with me. In the following days, I received an outpouring of positive comments on the significance of that moment, and I discovered that many in the audience that day had not been familiar with the tenets set forth in the code.
It is clear from recent events that the public is demanding, rightly, more transparency and accountability of its public servants -- especially those in law enforcement. One way to ensure we meet their expectations is for each member of the Sheriff's Department, no matter what their position, to ask themselves in each situation, "Am I performing my duty to a standard I would approve of as a member of the public?" In other words, "Can my behavior be held up to the light of transparency and accountability as a source of pride to my fellow employees and the department as a whole?"
There is no doubt that the overwhelming majority of people employed by the Sheriff's Department work very hard to be professional and accountable in meeting this test. For those of us who are sworn, this self-check may go a little deeper -- especially when we are faced with challenging circumstances that may require more reflection. In those moments, we might ask ourselves, "What does the Code say?" Every deputy sheriff has recited the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics at some point in his or her career. I believe it is a code that our non-sworn staff of public servants can adopt as well. We are reprinting the code here, as a reminder to our deputies, as a guide for our other employees, and as an introduction for members of the public who may not be familiar with it. The language may seem a little outdated, but the message of integrity and commitment to "doing the right thing" continues to resonate.
Law Enforcement Code of Ethics
As a Law Enforcement Officer, my fundamental duty is to serve all; 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 people to 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 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, animosities or friendships to influence my decisions. With no compromise for crime and the 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 the police service. I will constantly strive to achieve these objectives and ideals, dedicating myself before God to my chosen profession...law enforcement.
To what extent Sheriff Hennessey will demand that the personnel under her authority comply with this code remains to be seen, but the fact that she is invoking it, and speaking of the important of transparency and accountability, is a positive sign. Let's hope this was not just a public relations exercise, but a sincere reflection of her values and priorities.
Love & Liberty,
((( starchild )))