CONSTITUTIONAL STATUS OF THE INDIVIDUAL AND PROFESSIONAL ETHICS OF A POLICE OFFICER: THE IMPACT OF INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS STANDARDS

Abstract

The article is devoted to a comprehensive theoretical and legal study of the relationship between the constitutional status of the individual and the professional ethics of a police officer through the prism of the influence of international human rights standards. It is substantiated that the constitutional status of a person is a fundamental category of modern constitutionalism that determines the legal limits of state activity and the direction of functioning of its bodies, including law enforcement agencies. It is proven that human rights and freedoms constitute a systemforming element of the legal order and a criterion for assessing the legality of public authority actions. The structure of the constitutional status of the individual, mechanisms for guaranteeing its realization, and the role of state institutions in ensuring human rights are analyzed. Particular attention is paid to the importance of international standards as universal normative guidelines that define the permissible limits of state interference and shape criteria for the legality of law enforcement actions. The essence of police deontology as a component of legal ethics is revealed, its structure, functions, and role in regulating the official conduct of police officers are characterized. It is established that professional ethics functions as an internal mechanism for ensuring legality, humanism, and impartiality in law enforcement activity and complements legal norms in situations involving discretionary powers. The influence of the case law of international judicial institutions on the formation of standards of conduct for law enforcement officers is examined, and their significance as benchmarks for proper law enforcement is determined. The main problems in ensuring constitutional rights in police activity are identified, including legislative conflicts, institutional difficulties, shortcomings in law enforcement practice, lengthy complaint procedures, and ethical risks in professional activity. The necessity of comprehensive improvement of legal and ethical support for law enforcement activity is substantiated through harmonization of legislation with international standards, development of control mechanisms, enhancement of professional training of personnel, and use of international experience in police reform. It is concluded that the effectiveness of implementing the constitutional status of the individual in the field of law enforcement depends on the integrated interaction of normative, institutional, and value-ethical components of the legal system.