Policies for Utopia Police Department

Policy Statement

We believe every effort should be made to protect the citizens of Utopia and the employees of the Utopia Police Department. We promote practices consistent with the United States Constitution, Federal and Local laws. We attempt to minimize negative impact from citizens through a process of continual improvement in all policies and practices.

Mission Statement

The Utopia Police Department exists to preserve liberty, enhance the safety of the community and defend human dignity. We fight crime and the fear of crime by working with other law enforcement agencies and the members of the community to enforce laws, apprehend offenders, prevent criminal activity, and improve the quality of life for all the citizens of the city of Utopia

Ethical Principles

Our police exist to preserve law and order. The police earn badges bear the public trust and carry special powers. They have the powers to investigate, abridge liberties, and use force. The officers are not to use powers for personal gain and are to possess qualities which are above reproach. They are not to put themselves into unnecessary danger and should remain physically fit.

Integrity

The integrity of officers is to be above reproach. Dishonest actions of one officer reflect poorly on the department and impair public confidence. Officers are to avoid temptation and corruption. Compromising reputations of oneself compromises the department and its reputation

Respect for Rights

Every citizen is allotted certain rights and privileges outlines in our Constitution and Federal and State laws. Officers of the Utopia Police Department are expected to enforce laws to all members of the community regardless of sex. Race, or economic status. Police are not to abuse the powers of searching, arresting, or use of force while carrying out their duties. Governments who disobey the laws cause disturbances which lead to chaos. We have been sworn to uphold not break the laws and must respect the rights of every individual in order to uphold the laws

Use of Force

Officers are confronted daily with situations where control must be exercised. Unfortunately when advice, warnings, and persuasion are not sufficient the use of force becomes necessary. Force should not be used unless all other alternatives have been exhausted or would be ineffective to control the situation. The department’s policies outline the guidelines for use of force. Often time’s situations lead to the use of force, which require making on the spot decisions. These decisions should be based on the policies set out by the department if possible.

Courtesy

Effective policing relies on positive relationships between the community and law enforcement agencies. Courtesy leads to successful policing. Officers who are discourteous will run into resistance and contempt. The majority of the citizens are courteous and until courteous behavior is not an option it should be exercised.

Sexual Harassment

Unwanted sexual advances Explicit sexual propositions Demands for sexual favors in

exchange for favorable treatment Sexually oriented kidding, teasing, or

practical jokes Sending or viewing sexually explicit

jokes or pictures

Policies and Procedures

Required to file a complaint if witness

Internal Affairs and/or Sexual Harassment officer handles the case

Automatic suspension while under investigation

Automatic termination if found guilty

Discrimination

Discrimination is not accepted with in the police department. We are a multi-culture police force that works within a multi cultural community. The force applies an equal opportunity employment policy and will investigate any allegations of improper behavior in the area of discrimination. The Utopia Police department does not discriminate on the basis of the following, race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, disability, or age. Discrimination is handled with a zero tolerance.

Policies and Procedures

Complaints filed with Civil Rights and Internal Affairs

Automatic suspension until investigation is completed

Automatic termination if found guilty Civil and criminal charges can be

filed against individuals

Physical Security Policies

In protecting the facility and information stored at the facility we use alarms, gates, closed circuit television, passwords and locks. Employees are limited in use of IAFIS and other computer related devices. The passwords and keys are not to be given to other employees or friends

Policies and Procedures

Frequent password changes Monitoring of police while using IAFIS

and other computers Required to document purpose of

IAFIS and computer use Violations lead to immediate

termination and criminal and civil charges apply.

Personal Protection Policies (Use of Force) Presence, verbalization, empty hand

control, intermediate weapons, & deadly force

Only necessary amount per situation should be used

Excessive force is unacceptable Zero tolerance for excessive force

Policies and Procedures

Complaints are filed with the Department of Justice

Investigation leads to clearing or termination of an officer

Criminal and civil charges can and will be filed

Suspension without pay and loss of benefits while under investigation

Appeals filed must be done so within 30 days of decision

References

Urban Environmental Management Retrieved from http://www.gdrc.org/uem/iso14001/info-15.html March 21st 2008

© 2008 Philadelphia Police Department Retrieved from http://www.ppdonline.org/hq_mission.php March 23rd 2008

© 2008 Philadelphia Police Department Retrieved from http://www.ppdonline.org/hq_ethics.php March 23rd 2008

Wikpiedia ® Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physical_security March 26th 2008

Wikipedia ® Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Use_of_force March 27th 2008

Madhya Pradesh Police Department Retrieved from http://www.mppolice.gov.in/static/PoliceRegulationsNew/nineteen.htm March 27th 2008

Sexual Harassment Policy and Procedures © 2005 Retrieved from https://www.cu.edu/policies/Personnel/sexharass.html March 29th 2008

Miami University © 2002 Retrieved from http://www.units.muohio.edu/oeeo/types.htm March 29th 2008

  Connecticut, State (2007). POSTC: Sexual Harassment. Retrieved March 29, 2008, from

POSTC: Sexual Harrasment Web site: http://ct.gov/POST/cwp/view.asp?a=2055&q=291918 University, Carlow (2007). Carlow University. Retrieved March 29, 2008, from Carlow

University Web site: http://police.carlow.edu/non-discrim.html