Police

We the members of the Cottage Grove Police Department are dedicated to keeping our community safe and to enhancing its quality of life through partnership and professional service.

The following foundational principles guide our members in their professional duties. In addition to these principles the department’s policies and procedures further guide our standards and practices for situations most likely to be encountered in the course of our duties.

Our Mission


We the members of the Cottage Grove Police Department are dedicated to keeping our community safe and to enhancing its quality of life through partnership and professional service.

Our Vision


We the members of the Cottage Grove Police Department strive to work as a team, to enhance our problem solving and leadership abilities; in order to achieve excellence in our service to the community and each other, as well as, to achieve our mission.

Our Guiding Principles


Integrity


We hold ourselves to the highest moral and ethical standards. Honesty, fairness, and sincerity guide us in our actions with the community and each other.

Professionalism


We are a disciplined and highly trained organization, focused on continuous improvement. We are accountable to ourselves and to those we serve while providing the highest quality of service to our community.

Respect


We serve the public with courtesy, civility, and dignity while protecting their rights, liberties, and freedoms. We value our community and treat all people equally and fairly.

Law Enforcement Code of Ethics


As a law enforcement officer, my fundamental duty is to serve humanity; 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; 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 to my chosen profession….law enforcement.

Law Enforcement Oath of Honor


On my honor, I will never betray my badge, my integrity, my character or the public trust.

I will always have the courage to hold myself and others accountable for our actions.

I will always uphold the constitution, my community, and the agency I serve.