Recommendation Rec(2001)10 adopted by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe on 19 September 2001 and explanatory memorandum

The Council of Europe Committee of Ministers recommends that governments of member states be guided in their internal legislation, practice and codes of conducts of the police by the principles set out by the European Code of Police Ethics.

The European Code of Police Ethic addresses issues such as the objectives of the police, the legal basis of the police under the rule of law, the relationship between the police and the criminal justice system, the organizational structures of the police, police action and intervention, police accountability and control, and research and international cooperation.