What is the purpose of a police code of ethics?

• A. To maximize arrest numbers
• B. To guide professional conduct, promote integrity, fairness, accountability, and public trust
• C. To enforce departmental rules exclusively
• D. To avoid any public reporting

Answer: (B)

A police code of ethics establishes the standards that guide how officers should behave in all aspects of their duties, with the aim of protecting rights, treating people fairly, and being accountable to the community. This focus on integrity, fairness, accountability, and public trust is what makes it the best choice. The other options point to goals that ethics codes are not about—seeking to maximize arrest numbers, enforcing internal rules alone, or avoiding public reporting—which would undermine trust and transparency rather than support the ethical framework guiding professional conduct.