Law Enforcement Oath of Honor

"On my honor,
I will never betray my badge,
my integrity, my character,
or the public trust.

I will always have the courage
to hold myself and others
accountable for our actions.

I will always uphold the Constitution,
the community,
and the agency I serve."

Before law enforcement officers take upon themselves this Oath of Honor, it is vital that they understand what it truly means. An oath is a solemn pledge someone voluntarily makes when they sincerely intend to do what they say. The key words in the Law Enforcement Oath of Honor are defined as follows:

HONOR means giving one’s word as a bond and guarantee.

BETRAY is defined as breaking faith and proving false.

The BADGE is a visible symbol of the power of your office.

INTEGRITY is firm adherence to principles,both in our private and public life.

CHARACTER means the qualities and standards of behavior that distinguish an individual.

The PUBLIC TRUST is a duty imposed in faith to those we are sworn to serve.

COURAGE is having the “heart,” the mental, and the moral strength to venture,

persevere, withstand, and overcome danger, difficulty, and fear.

ACCOUNTABILITY means that we are answerable and responsible for our actions.

COMMUNITY includes the municipalities, neighborhoods, and citizens we serve.

— Developed by the IACP Committee on Police Ethics, 2000