close menu
This website uses cookies to store your accessibility preferences. No personal / identifying information is stored. More info.

Mission Statement

THE RUIDOSO DOWNS POLICE DEPARTMENT EXPECTS ITS PERSONNEL TO MAINTAIN HIGH STANDARDS OF APPEARANCE AND CONDUCT. THE PUBLIC SIMILARLY EXPECTS SUCH HIGH STANDARDS. POLICE OFFICERS WIELD CONSIDERABLE POWER OVER THE CITIZENRY, POWER THAT IS CAREFULLY CIRCUMSCRIBED BY STATE AND FEDERAL LAW, AND, ULTIMATELY, BY THE CONSTITUTION AND BILL OF RIGHTS. OUR POWERS TO ARREST, SEIZE PROPERTY, AND THEREFORE, AT TIMES, WITH THE LIVES OF CITIZENS CONSTITUTE A PUBLIC TRUST. WE CAN HELP ENSURE THAT WE REGARD THIS TRUST AS VITAL BY EXEMPLARY PERFORMANCE IN OUR JOBS. PERFORMANCE IS NOT ENOUGH: WE MUST ALWAYS CONDUCT OURSELVES IN AN EXEMPLARY FASHION. ETHICAL BEHAVIOR BY EMPLOYEES OF THIS DEPARTMENT IS IMPERATIVE IN MAINTAINING THE TRUST AND RESPECT OF THE CITIZENS WITH THIS COMMUNITY. SHOULD THIS TRUST OR RESPECT EVER BE COMPROMISED FOR ALLEGATIONS OF UNETHICAL CONDUCT, A FULL SCALE INTERNAL INVESTIGATION WILL BE INITIATED AND VIGOROUSLY PURSUED. AN INTERNAL INVESTIGATION WILL SERVE TO UNCOVER ANY ALLEGED POLICE PRACTICES/BEHAVIOR WHICH ARE CONSIDERED TO BE UNDESIRABLE OR DISPEL ANY CITIZEN SPECULATION OF ITS EXISTENCE.

AS A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER, MY FUNDAMENTAL DUTY IS TO SERVE 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 MEN 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 BOTH 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 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 BEFORE GOD TO MY CHOSEN PROFESSION - LAW ENFORCEMENT.

CANONS OF POLICE

ARTICLE I - PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY OF JOB

The primary responsibility of the police service, and of the individual officer, is the protection of the people of the United States through the upholding of their laws. Chief among these is the Constitution of the United States and its amendments. The law enforcement officer always represents the whole of the community and its legally expressed will and is never the arm of any political party or clique.

ARTICLE II - LIMITATIONS OF AUTHORITY

The first duty of a law enforcement officer, as upholder of the law, is to know its bounds upon him in enforcing it. Because he represents the legal will of the community, be it local, state, or federal, he must be aware of the limitations and proscriptions which the people, through law, have placed upon him. He must recognize the genius of the American system of government, which has given to no man, groups of men, or institutions, absolute power, and he must insure that he, as a prime defender of the system, does not pervert its character.

ARTICLE III - DUTY TO BE FAMILIAR WITH THE LAWS AND WITH RESPONSIBILITIES OF SELF AND OTHER PUBLIC OFFICIALS

The law enforcement officer shall assiduously apply himself to the study of the principles of the laws which he is sworn to uphold. He will make certain of his responsibilities in the particulars of their enforcement, seeking aid from his superiors in matters of technicality or principle when these are not clear to him; he will make special efforts to fully understand his relationship to other public officials, including other law enforcement agencies, particularly on matters of jurisdiction, both geographically and substantively.

ARTICLE IV - UTILIZATION OF PROPER MEANS TO GAIN PROPER ENDS

The law enforcement officer shall be mindful of his responsibility to pay strict heed to the selection of means in discharging the duties of his office. Violations of law or disregard for public safety and property on the part of the officer are intrinsically wrong; they are self-defeating in that they instill in the public mind a like disposition. The employment of illegal means, no matter how worthy the end, is certain to encourage disrespect for the law and its officers. If the law is to be honored, it must first be honored by those who enforce it.

ARTICLE V - COOPERATION WITH PUBLIC OFFICIALS IN THE DISCHARGE OF THEIR AUTHORIZED DUTIES

The law enforcement officer shall cooperate fully with other public officials in the discharge of authorized duties, regardless of party affiliation or personal prejudice. He shall be meticulous, however, in assuring himself of the propriety, under the law, of such actions and shall guard against the use of his office or person, whether knowingly or unknowingly, in any improper or illegal action. In any situation open to question, he shall seek authority from his superior officer, giving him a full report of the proposed service or action.

ARTICLE VI - PRIVATE CONDUCT

The law enforcement officer shall be mindful of his special identification by the public as an upholder of the law. Laxity of conduct or manner in private life, expressing either disrespect for the law or seeking to gain special privilege, cannot but reflect upon the police officer and the police service. The community and the service require that the law enforcement officer lead the life of a decent and honorable man. Following the career of a policeman gives no man special requisites. It does give the satisfaction and pride of following and furthering an unbroken tradition of safeguarding the American Republic. The officer who reflects upon this tradition will not degrade it. Rather, he will so conduct his private life that the public will regard him as an example of stability, fidelity and morality.

ARTICLE VII - CONDUCT TOWARD THE PUBLIC

The law enforcement officer, mindful of his responsibility to the whole community, shall deal with individuals of the community in a manner calculated to instill respect for its laws and its police service. The law enforcement officer shall conduct this official life in a manner such as will inspire confidence and trust. Thus, he will be neither overbearing nor subservient, as no individual citizen has an obligation to stand in awe of him nor a right to command him. The officer will give service where he can, and require compliance with the law. He will do neither from personal preference or prejudice, but rather as a duly appointed officer of the law discharging his sworn obligation.

ARTICLE VIII - CONDUCT IN ARRESTING AND DEALING WITH LAW VIOLATORS

The law enforcement officer shall use his powers of arrest strictly in accordance with the law and with due regard to the rights of the citizen concerned. His office gives him no right to prosecute the violator or to mete out punishment for the offense. He shall, at all times, have a clear appreciation of his responsibilities and limitations regarding detention of the violator; he shall conduct himself in such a manner as will minimize the possibility of having to use force. To this end, he shall cultivate a dedication to the service of the people and the equitable upholding of their laws in the handling of law violators or in dealing with the law abiding.

ARTICLE IX - GIFTS AND FAVORS

The law enforcement officer, representing government, bears the heavy responsibility of maintaining, in his own conduct, the honor and integrity of all government institutions. He shall, therefore, guard against placing himself in a position in which any person can expect special consideration or in which the public can reasonably assume that special consideration is being given. Thus, he should be firm in refusing gifts, favors, or gratuities, large or small, which can, in the public mind, be interpreted as capable of influencing his judgment in the discharge of his duties.

ARTICLE X - PRESENTATION OF EVIDENCE

The law enforcement officer shall take special pains to increase his perception and skill of observation, mindful that in many situations his is the sole impartial testimony to the facts of a case. The law enforcement officer shall be concerned equally in the prosecution of the wrongdoer and the defense of the innocent. He shall ascertain what constitutes evidence and shall present such evidence impartially and without malice. In so doing, he will ignore social, political and all other distinctions among the persons involved, strengthening the tradition of the reliability and the integrity of an officer's word.

ARTICLE XI - ATTITUDE TOWARD PROFESSION

The law enforcement officer shall regard the discharge of his duties as a public trust and recognize his responsibility as a public servant. By diligent study and sincere attention to self-improvement, he shall strive to make the best possible application of science to the solution of crime and, in the field of human relationships, strive for effective leadership and public influence in matters affecting public safety. He shall appreciate the importance and responsibility of his office, holding police work to be an honorable profession and rendering valuable service to his community and his country.