Full text of mayor's letter

All Columbia Borough Police,

This letter is to serve as a reminder to all Columbia Borough Police Officers of the conduct expected as an Officer of the Columbia Borough Police Department both on duty and off.

On duty Columbia Borough Police Officers are expected to treat all citizens they come in contact with in a courteous, helpful manner. “Yes Sir”, “No Sir”, “I will check on it and get back to you”, are acceptable comments. “What do you want me to do about it”, “That is your problem, not ours”, and “Your neighbor called, complaining” are examples of comments that are not acceptable.

Officers are expected to make follow-up contact with citizens who call the Police Department for assistance. If the follow-up cannot be made in a timely manner due to scheduling or vacation, officers are expected to forward the information to another officer for follow-up.

On duty Columbia Borough Police Officers are expected wear the prescribed uniforms, keep them neat and clean, and practice good personal grooming habits as a representative of Columbia Borough.

You are representative of Columbia Borough to residents and visitors alike. Your attitude and appearance reflect the image of Columbia Borough to those you come in contact with. It is expected that you enhance the image of Columbia Borough not degrade it.

Likewise, off duty Officers of the Columbia Borough Police Department are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner representative of the Columbia Borough Police Department.
Whether you like it or not, the public expects police officers to conduct themselves in an exemplary manner when off duty. For example, having a few beers is one thing, visible intoxication is another. Relaxing at the pub with a couple of friends is one thing, being drunk at a local establishment, party, or other event is unacceptable. Loud and boisterous noise is equally unacceptable and quite frankly, the public does not like to see this of their officers.
The following is a “CODE OF CONDUCT” that I have found and is an example of what is expected of an officer in Columbia Borough:

CODE OF CONDUCT

Honesty and integrity
1. It is of paramount importance that the public has faith in the honesty and integrity of police officers. Officers should therefore be open and truthful in their dealings; avoid being improperly beholden to any person or institution; and discharge their duties with integrity.
Fairness and impartiality
2. Police officers have a particular responsibility to act with fairness and impartiality in all their dealings with the public and their colleagues.
Politeness and tolerance
3. Officers should treat members of the public and colleagues with courtesy and respect, avoiding abusive or deriding attitudes or behavior. In particular, officers must avoid: favoritism of an individual or group; all forms of harassment, victimization or unreasonable discrimination; and overbearing conduct to a colleague, particularly to one junior in rank or service.
Use of force and abuse of authority
4. Officers must never knowingly use more force than is reasonable, nor should they abuse their authority.
Performance of duties
5. Officers should be conscientious and diligent in the performance of their duties. Officers should attend work promptly when rostered for duty. If absent through sickness or injury, they should avoid activities likely to retard their return to duty.
Lawful orders
6. The police service is a disciplined body. Unless there is good and sufficient cause to do otherwise, officers must obey all lawful orders and abide by the provisions of legislation applicable to the police. Officers should support their colleagues in the execution of their lawful duties, and oppose any improper behavior, reporting it where appropriate.
Confidentiality
7. Information which comes into the possession of the police should be treated as confidential. It should not be used for personal benefit and nor should it be divulged to other parties except in the proper course of police duty. Similarly, officers should respect, as confidential, information about force policy and operations unless authorized to disclose it in the course of their duties.
Criminal offences
8. Officers must report any proceedings for a criminal offence taken against them. Conviction of a criminal offence or the administration of a caution may of itself result in further action being taken.
Property
9. Officers must exercise reasonable care to prevent loss or damage to property (excluding their own personal property but including police property).
Sobriety
10. Drinking on duty is forbidden. Officers must exercise restraint in drinking while off duty.
Appearance
11. Unless on duties which dictate otherwise, officers should always be well turned out, clean and tidy while on duty in uniform or in plain clothes.
General conduct
12. Whether on or off duty, police officers should not behave in a way which is likely to bring discredit upon the police service.
Notes
(a) The primary duties of those who hold the office of police officer are the protection of life and property, the preservation of the peace, and the prevention and detection of criminal offences. To fulfill these duties they are granted extraordinary powers; the public and the police service therefore have the right to expect the highest standards of conduct from them.
(b) This Code sets out the principles which guide police officers' conduct. It does not seek to restrict officers' discretion: rather it aims to define the parameters of conduct within which that discretion should be exercised. However, it is important to note that any breach of the principles in this Code may result in action being taken by the organization, which, in serious cases, could involve dismissal.
(c) Police behavior, whether on or off duty, affects public confidence in the police service. Any conduct which brings or is likely to bring discredit to the police service may be the subject of sanction. Accordingly, any allegation of conduct which could, if proved, bring or be likely to bring discredit to the police service should be investigated in order to establish whether or not a breach of the Code has occurred and whether formal disciplinary action is appropriate. No investigation is required where the conduct, if proved, would not bring or would not be likely to bring, discredit to the police service.

Respectfully,




Leo S. Lutz, Mayor
Borough of Columbia