The Code of Ethics helps everyone in policing maintain the highest standards of integrity and professionalism.
Upholding the Code of Ethics in everyday life
Published on
News
2 mins read
Detective Chief Inspector, Will Tsang, of West Yorkshire Police, relies on the Code of Ethics every day, both in his professional and personal life. He acknowledges how the Code empowers everyone to make fair, ethical and trustworthy decisions, ensuring public safety and wellbeing.
Will applies the Code of Ethics principles in all aspects of his life, whether as a DCI, a parent or a martial arts instructor.
DCI Tsang, didn’t always have a positive experience with the police when he was growing up. Living in an economically deprived area and experiencing racism, he felt that the police didn’t always take action when they needed to.
However, a pivotal encounter with an officer who took a report of criminal damage, seriously inspired him to pursue a career in policing.
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When I was younger, we lived in a really poor area and there was like – racism was quite rife.
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When you reported it to the police, nothing would ever get done. I know we’re 30 years now down the line and the way we police is a little bit different. But what really inspired me was a colleague who came and took one of our reports of criminal damage quite seriously, and what I saw then was a bit of a hero, a bit of a knight in shining armour.
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And that's what wanted me to join the police, so I guess it's tailored my behaviour in becoming a police officer all these years.
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It's important for the police to, or policing to, have the Code of Ethics because it reinforces what we stand for. What we do. And sometimes I find it quite useful myself when you're having those long days, hard days, when you've gone to those traumatic jobs, to basically re-emphasise why it is I'm a police officer.
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The Code of Ethics in everyday life, for me, is embedded into me. Whether it's policing, whether it's being a dad, whether it's being a martial arts instructor, it's just embedded into me because I think, you know, when you look at the simplicity of the Code of Ethics – you know, show courage, show respect and empathy – it's just basic human traits that everyone I think should have.
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It's really important for me to teach martial arts, teach self-defence, because I'm giving back to the community. It's really, really important to me from my upbringing where I didn't have the opportunities.
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With all the work with violence against women and girls, especially at the moment, I think it's really, really important that we equip our communities with the right skills.
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Martial arts is all about respect, empowerment and discipline, and I find it's really, really important to give that. And if I can, you know, teach a hundred people and that gets through to one person, then that's it. That's my job done and it's perfect.
In his spare time, Will is dedicated to volunteering in his local community and teaches martial arts to students at his local university. In this work, he supports efforts to address crimes such as violence against women and girls. He views this as a way to give back to the community, inspired by the officer who helped him in his youth.
Will continues to bridge gaps between communities and policing, proving that positive change is possible when ethical principles guide you in both professional and personal life.
When you look at the simplicity of the Code of Ethics, show courage, show respect and empathy, it's just basic human traits that everyone I think should have."
DCI Will Tsang
His story demonstrates how the Code of Ethics can serve as a framework for building trust and fostering understanding.
