The Pasadena Police Department Code of Conduct
Ethical behavior is the cornerstone of public trust. For any police department to maintain such trust, it must constantly demonstrate that its partnership with the community will be fair, objective and securely rooted in consistently applied ethical principals. Members of the Pasadena Police Department are expected to demonstrate, through words and deeds, that the best interest of the public is always in the forefront of their decisions. The principal of the Pasadena Way serves as the the Pasadena Police Department’s compass to ethical behavior.
When an employee enters through the front doors of the Pasadena Police Department, they enter into the world of service to others. Their entire purpose is to serve the community. The delivery of this service hinges on the values the organization has founded and taught to each employee. For the Pasadena Police Department, the implementation of Values Based Policing is the next evolutionary step – a continuation and further enhancement of the Pasadena Way.
Code of Ethics
The police department will demonstrate an uncompromising allegiance to the State of California’s Police Officer Code of Ethics. Every employee will embrace ideals such as duty, service, respect, liberty, equality, justice, courage, honesty, honor, and integrity. As prescribed by law, each employee will swear to keep this oath:
As a law enforcement officer, my fundamental duty 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 my agency. I will maintain courageous calm in the face of danger, scorn or ridicule; develop self-restraint; and be constantly mindful of ot the welfare of others.
Honest in thought and deed in both my personal and official life, I will be exemplary in obeying the law and the regulation 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 feeling, prejudices, political beliefs, aspirations, animosities or friendships to influence my decisions. With no compromise for crime, I will enforce the law courteously and appropriately without fear of 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.
Department Values
Mission Statement
We Are World Class
The Pasadena Police Department is dedicated to excellence as a world class public safety agency. We are committed to establishing an environment in which members of the department and community thrive. We seek to be a catalyst for positive change through persistent, personalized and cost effective use of public safety resources. By embracing the values of pride, professionalism and integrity we remain committed to maintaining the public trust.
We Engage The Community
We dedicate ourselves to becoming part of the community through improved communication, mutual setting of priorities and a shared commitment to community policing. Together, our efforts will set the standard for policing in the 21st century.
We Solve Problems
We seek to improve the quality of life for all residents of Pasadena through a proactive team approach to timely and innovative interventions in community problems. We recognize that our employees are our most treasured asset and the cornerstone of our department’s success. We value the diverse and unique contributions made by police employees, residents and businesses to the common goal of public safety.
Vision Statement
- The Pasadena Police Department will be a world class agency based upon a foundation of public trust, and dedicated to keeping the public in public safety.
- The department will serve as a beacon of excellence and innovation as we come forward to the 21st century.
- By fostering an atmosphere of partnership, we will embody a shared purpose with our community and our employees.
- We are committed to excellence developed through pride, setting the standard, and earning a reputation for providing effective, caring, and courteous service.
- We will capitalize on our strengths as a diverse community and work force to make this vision a reality.
The Pasadena Way
“We Exist To Serve The Community”
Service is the foundation of the value system for the Pasadena Police Department. The highest form of service is to protect the lives and property of one’s fellow human beings. Our city provides an exciting and diverse environment for personal and professional achievement. We recognize that our achievements as public servants will be measured by the level of safety and well-being enjoyed by our community.
“How We Get The Job Done Is Just As Important As Getting The Job Done”
We have a continuing commitment to operational excellence that recognizes that the process is as important as the product. We are refining the traditional role of the police employee to instill an attitude and behavior which focuses on people in a constructive and positive way.
“We Believe In The Personal Touch”
This is an expressive phrase that embodies a state of mind, an approach to delivering police services that acknowledges that in order to be truly effective we must express genuine concern, with conviction, that we are in the business of serving people. We recognize the dignity of all people and treat them accordingly.
“We Are Proactive”
Stopping crime before it occurs is our most important function. Identifying conditions which foster crime in our community and doing something about them is a joint police – community responsibility. Thinking about crime fighting is important but preventing crime is paramount.
“We Are Fair But Firm”
The Pasadena Police Department practices this value both within the organization and with the communities we serve. We are flexible in dealing with issues in an open and sensitive manner. However, we are committed to the consistent application of the law for the common good.
“Excellence”
Delivering the best service or product possible is the ultimate goal for each employee of the Pasadena Police Department. The effort that one undertakes to obtain such a standard is the most important aspect of this value. Police employees are expected to do the best possible job at all times.
“Innovation”
Utilizing creativity to meet today’s challenges is paramount for the Pasadena Police Department to effectively solve problems. While having a consistent process to complete our daily tasks may be valuable in many circumstances, we do not serve this process. We must be willing to seek solutions that exist outside of our normal methodology in order to address the complexities of our era.
“Integrity”
The police department will demonstrate, through its actions, an uncompromising allegiance to the core principles espoused within the Police Officer’s Code of Ethics. Every Pasadena Police Department employee will embrace ideals such as honor, duty, courage, equality, fairness, and dignity.
Department Policies
Disclaimer
The Pasadena Police Department’s Policy Manual is guided by Lexipol, which is based on constitutional law and a “best practice” philosophy. Lexipol is the industry standard and is currently used by the majority of California Law Enforcement agencies.
The Pasadena Police Department policy manual is subject to frequent updates based upon changes in State or Federal laws and/or best practices. As changes occur, the most recent polices will be posted on our webpage.
To request an official copy of a policy, reference Policy 810 – Release of Records and Information.