All citizens have an obligation to participate in the maintenance of order, while delegating to the police their collective authority to enforce the law. Moreover, we believe that a collaborative police and community effort is needed not only to identify community problems, but also in determining the most appropriate strategies for solving them. The Topeka Police Department believes that it must be accountable to the people it serves. The Police Department is not an entity to itself. Rather, it is a part of government empowered by and existing to serve the public, to which it must be accountable.
Accountability is a primary consideration in our development of policy and procedure.
Accountability also means being open and requires responsiveness to the problems and needs of citizens. In addition, accountability requires the management of Police resources in the most efficient and economical manner. The Topeka Police Department is committed to professionalism in all aspects of its operation. The role of the professional organization is serving its clients. Our role is serving the citizens of Topeka.