310.50 Truthfulness
Policy:
- Truthfulness is a pillar upon which the Portland Police Bureau’s legitimacy and community credibility are built. Theintegrity of police service is rooted in honesty and truthfulness. The Bureau is committed to holding its members accountable for being honest and truthful in all statements made and actions taken which relate to their duties as members of the Police Bureau.
Procedure:
- No member shall knowingly or willfully be dishonest or untruthful in giving a statement or testimony, in creating a report, in any official oral or written communication, or in giving any statement about actions taken that relate to the member’s own or another member’s employment or position. Being dishonest or untruthful includes knowingly or willfully: making false statements, falsifying work-related records or official documents, omitting material facts or material information, or answering questions or providing information in a manner that is incomplete, evasive, deceptive, or misleading.
1.1. Theserequirements apply to any report, investigations, or communication concerning Bureau business, including, but not limited to, oral communications, written reports, transmissions to the Bureau of Emergency Communications, testimony in legal proceedings and communications to members via radio, telephone, pager, e-mail, text, or mobile data computer (MDC).
2. Members shall not knowingly or willfully make any false statements to justify a criminal or traffic charge, or seek to unlawfully influence the outcome of any investigation.
3. Members are obligated under this directive to respond fully and truthfully to questions about any action taken that relates to the member’s employment or position, or to the employment or position of another member, regardless of whether such information is requested during a formal investigation or during the course of business.
4. A limited exception to the standards in this directive exists when the member reasonably believes that deception: (i) is necessary due to the nature of a member’s assignment, such as an undercover assignment; (ii) is necessary to acquire information for a criminal investigation; or (iii) to protect the member or others from an articulable threat. The use of deception in these circumstances must be for a specific and legitimate law enforcement purpose and must be temporary in nature.
History:
- Originating Directive Date: 09/06/01
- Last Revision Signed: 04/15/20
- Effective Date: 05/15/20
- Next Review Date: 05/15/21