Riverside County, created in 1893 from portions of San Bernardino and San Diego counties, is the fourth largest in the state of California covering over 7,300 square miles.
The law enforcement professionals of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, with a staff of over 3,600 dedicated men and women, cover this expanse of southern California and are dedicated to serving the citizens of its communities with integrity, professionalism, leadership and loyalty.
Mission Statement
In partnership with the public we serve, we are dedicated to suppress and prevent crime through the reduction of criminal recidivism; we have the responsibility for upholding both the United States and California constitutions, the reasonable enforcement of all federal and state laws or ordinances, and all required mandates of the elected Sheriff; we serve our superior courts by providing court security, service of civil processes, and the execution of lawful orders of the court; we maintain our county jails and committed inmates in accordance with state guidelines and regulations in a fair and humane manner; and we perform the legal functions of the Coroner-Public Administrator with dignity and respect for those in need of our services.
Core Values
We, the members of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, fill a variety of difficult and demanding roles as we provide law enforcement and related services to our communities. We recognize that trust and support are not automatically granted but must be earned.
To achieve and maintain superior service we proudly commit ourselves to exercise and display many important values.
I. Integrity
We are dedicated to honesty and integrity in all our actions and will uphold our ethical beliefs regardless of the consequences. Our actions must be above reproach. We will:
- Demand honesty and loyalty.
- Prevent abuse of the laws and violation of civil rights.
- Promote and recognize ethical behavior and actions.
- Report and confront employees who violate laws and the basic values of the organization.
II. Loyalty
We are dedicated and loyal to the citizens of our communities, our department, and our co-workers. Above all, we will be loyal to the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics. We will:
- Take all reasonable steps and precautions to protect both the employees’ and the Department’s interest in incidents that present either danger or civil exposure.
- Reward and recognize those who contribute to the development of more effective ways of providing the policing service.
III. Professionalism
We will serve with honor and vitality. Our professionalism dictates critical self-appraisal and objective analysis, with a commitment to community betterment. We will maintain the position of honor entrusted to us by those we serve. We will:
- Openly discuss both ethical and operational issues.
- Promote an atmosphere that encourages reasonable risk-taking and recognizes that growth and learning may be spawned by honest mistakes.
- Recognize that it is our duty to prevent, report, and investigate crimes, and to pursue, apprehend, and prosecute lawbreakers.
- Require professional performance for all members of the Department.
IV. Leadership
We are mandated by law and public expectation to be leaders. We will lead by example and by adherence to our professional ethics and values. We will:
- Listen to and promote suggestions emanating from all levels of the Department.
- Publicly acknowledge and praise employees who excel at their jobs.
- Review and react to individual performance based upon the totality of the circumstances surrounding a decision or action.
Law Enforcement Code of Ethics
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 a 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.
Adopted. 1956. The Peace Officers’ Association
of the State of California
Correctional Deputy Code of Ethics
As a Correctional Deputy, it is my fundamental duty to honor the Correctional Deputy Code of Ethics and the Value Statement of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department. By doing so, I will demonstrate the true meaning of integrity, loyalty, professionalism, and leadership.
I will always be fair in the performance of my duties, never seeking to use my authority over others unjustly. I will perform my duties without prejudice or bias. I will maintain honesty of word and deed. I will act with integrity at all times, keeping my private life unsullied as an example. I will be exemplary in obeying the laws of the land and the regulations of my department.
I will maintain calm in the face of ridicule and contempt, never employing more force than is necessary. I will never act officiously or permit personal feeling or friendship to influence me. I will always be aware of the safety and security of all those around me by maintaining a safe and secure environment. I will never use my position for personal gain, never accepting gratuities, nor will I exaggerate the limits of my authority.
I recognize the badge as a symbol of my profession and of the Department. I will maintain the integrity of my badge and position.
I will strive to achieve and embody the highest ideals and ethics of the Department, while always displaying the highest degree of professionalism -As a Correctional Deputy.
Martin Rivera
