Oath of Office Policy

Policy & Procedures                 No. 4.07
                                  Subject:
               Oath of Office/Mission Statement/
              Code of Ethics
                                  Issuing Authority:                                       Effective Date:   Review Date:
                     Chief of Police                    02/01/2013  02/25/2024
                                                                             Revised Date:

 Review
 Revision   11/08/2015
 Reissued   11/11/2017
 Dates:     11/10/2019
            11/15/2022

CALEA STANDARS
11.1.0  26.0.1
16.3.0  26.0.2
         Oath of Office / Mission Statement / Code of Ethics

              The Oath of Office and Code of Ethics or Canon of Ethics is a universal
Purpose         practice in Law Enforcement. The oath includes elements to satisfy state and
                   local requirements, and affirms the need to uphold the Constitution of the
                United States.

                 All newly hired sworn personnel shall appear before the Town Clerk to be
Policy         sworn in and take the Oath of Office as outlined below. Once sworn, a signed
[26.0.1]         copy of the Oath shall be placed in the officers’ personnel file.

                 All officers are required to accept the responsibility for achievement of the
                Department’s “Mission Statement” and publicly register his/her commitment
                  to it and to the concepts of quality service.

                 All sworn officers of the Canton Police Department shall abide by the
                 following Oath of Office, Mission Statement, and Code of Ethics, which have
               been adopted by this department.

                This policy applies to:
Applicability   • All personnel prior to assuming sworn status;
                • Upon receiving a promotion in rank, and
                • Personnel returning to duty after a suspension

Canton Police Department’s Oath of Office/Mission Statement/Code of Ethics Policy         1

Sworn officers of The Canton Police Department derive their authority in
Legal          accordance with Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 41, Section 98,
Authority        entitled “Powers and Duties”.
[16.3.0]

                      “I,-------------------- do solemnly swear that I support the Constitution of the
Oath of        United States of America, and the Constitution and laws of the
Office        Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the by-laws of the Town of Canton, and
[26.0.1]           the Rules, Regulations and all lawful directives (written as well as unwritten)
                 of the Canton Police Department, and that I faithfully discharge the duties of
                  the office of ----------------------, to which I have been appointed according to
                  the law and the best of my ability.”

                       Notice: By offering this oath of office and requiring a signature, no written or implied contract for
                   employment or continued employment is being offered by the Town of Canton. For any reason that an
                    employee is found to be incapable, unqualified or unfit for employment or continued employment, or
                       the employee’s best efforts to comply with required obligations, responsibilities, duties and task
                     performances associated with this oath are unsatisfactory, that employee is subject to removal

Mission           “It is the primary mission of the Canton Police Department to deliver
Statement        professional police services to the residents and business owners of Canton
[16.3.0]          as well as those who visit our community regardless of race, religion, ethnic
                 origin or sexual orientation.” 11.1.0

                This mission is a commitment to QUALITY performance from all members
               and it is critical that all members understand, accept and align with the
                   responsibilities established by this mission. It is the foundation upon which all
                  operational decisions and organizational directives will be based. Directives
                  include: Oath of Office, Code of Ethics, Rules, Policies and Procedures,
                  Directives, General and Supervisory Orders, Work Productivity and
                 Behavior. 11.1.0

                This mission represents the commitment of this administration to the concept
                 of quality performance management. Members are expected to work
                  consistently in a quality manner in the daily performance of those duties, job
                   responsibilities, and work tasks associated with this mission. 11.1.0

                 Quality manner refers to the performance standards established for the Canton
Mission         Police Department and each associated member, as cited in any and all of the
Statement      previously described Directives.
[16.3.0]
              Each member is required to accept the responsibility for the achievement of
                    this mission and publicly register his/her commitment to it and the concepts
                 of quality service.

Canton Police Department’s Oath of Office/Mission Statement/Code of Ethics Policy         2

Code of         Ethics training must be conducted for all personnel, at a minimum, biennially.
Ethics
[16.3.0]           All Sworn Officers are required to abide by the following Code of Ethics:
[26.0.2]
             As a Law Enforcement Officer, my fundamental duty is to mankind; 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 man 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 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
                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 the police
                   service. I will constantly strive to achieve these objectives and ideals,
                 dedicating myself to my chosen profession….Law Enforcement.

                 All Civilian Employees shall abide by the following Code of Ethics: 16.3.0;
                 26.0.2

                Affirm the dignity and worth of the services rendered by government and
                maintain a constructive, creative, and practical attitude toward local
               government affairs and a deep sense of social responsibility as a trusted
                 public servant.
             Be dedicated to the highest ideals of honor and integrity in all public and
                 personal relationships in order that the member may merit the respect and
                confidence of the elected town officials, of other officials and employees, and
                 of the public.
               Recognize that at all times, the chief function of local government is to serve
                  the best interests of all people.
             Make it a duty to continually improve upon one’s professional ability and to
                develop the competence of associates in the use of management techniques.

Canton Police Department’s Oath of Office/Mission Statement/Code of Ethics Policy         3

Resist any encroachment on professional responsibilities, believing the member
                should be free to carry out official policies without interference, and handle
               each problem without discrimination on the basis of principle and justice.

               Handle all matter of personnel on the basis of merit so that fairness and
                  impartiality govern a member’s decision.

              Seek no favor; believe that personal aggrandizement or profit secured by
                  confidential information or by misuse of public time is dishonest.

                            .

Canton Police Department’s Oath of Office/Mission Statement/Code of Ethics Policy         4