AS A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER, my fundamental duty is to serve the community; 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 persons to liberty, equality, and justice.

I WILL keep my private life unsullied as an example to all and will conduct myself in a manner that does not bring discredit to me or to my agency. I will 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, political beliefs, aspirations, 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 never engage in acts of corruption or bribery, nor will I condone such acts by other police officers. I will cooperate with all legally authorized agencies and their representatives in the pursuit of justice.

I KNOW that I alone am responsible for my own standard of professional performance and will take every reasonable opportunity to enhance and improve my level of knowledge and competence.

I WILL constantly strive to achieve these objectives and ideals, dedicating myself before God to my chosen profession… law enforcement.

Impartial Policing and Racial Profiling

On September 1, 2001, a new law prohibiting racial profiling went into effect in Texas. Article 3.05 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure defines racial profiling as “a law enforcement-initiated action based on information identifying the individual as having engaged in criminal activity.”

NIA DPS and Texas law strictly prohibit officers from engaging in racial profiling. Each of our officers has received training concerning the racial profiling law and is provided with a copy of our departmental policy pertaining to racial profiling.

Complaints alleging racial profiling with respect to an individual may be filed with the Newman International Academy Administration, Attention: Superintendent. A complaint should be submitted in writing and in a timely manner after the incident so that the incident can receive prompt attention. Once the complaint is received, the Superintendent will initiate an investigation into the matter.

Complaint Process

When a citizen lodges a complaint against a member of NIA DPS, the complaint must be directed to the NIA DPS Chief of Police, or to the NIA Superintendent if the complaint is against the NIA DPS Chief of Police. Under Texas law, the complaint must be in writing and signed by the person making the complaint. The investigator will meet with the complainant to swear to and sign their complaint. The district’s duty is to review and thoroughly investigate the complaint. If a verbal complaint is made, officers must inform the complainant to make their complaint in writing. Complaints that are not properly submitted will not be formally investigated.

No officer shall retaliate against or harass a person who makes a complaint, even if the complaint is baseless.