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Questions and Answers
What is one of the main purposes of the BCSO policy outlined in this document?
What is one of the main purposes of the BCSO policy outlined in this document?
Which of the following best describes the expectations of individual employees in the BCSO?
Which of the following best describes the expectations of individual employees in the BCSO?
What should deputies consider themselves during an emergency when within Bexar County?
What should deputies consider themselves during an emergency when within Bexar County?
What is expected of employees in terms of their attitude toward complainants and violators?
What is expected of employees in terms of their attitude toward complainants and violators?
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What are deputies encouraged to carry whenever feasible?
What are deputies encouraged to carry whenever feasible?
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What does the policy indicate about the supervisory employees within BCSO?
What does the policy indicate about the supervisory employees within BCSO?
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Which of the following behaviors is NOT expected from employees when dealing with the public?
Which of the following behaviors is NOT expected from employees when dealing with the public?
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What information must employees provide upon request from the public?
What information must employees provide upon request from the public?
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In which situation are deputies allowed to give aid in civil cases?
In which situation are deputies allowed to give aid in civil cases?
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What is expected of supervisors regarding personnel conduct?
What is expected of supervisors regarding personnel conduct?
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Which statement is true regarding the conduct of employees when off-duty?
Which statement is true regarding the conduct of employees when off-duty?
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In which scenario is a deputy exempt from taking immediate law enforcement action?
In which scenario is a deputy exempt from taking immediate law enforcement action?
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What should on-duty deputies do if they notice a violation of the law?
What should on-duty deputies do if they notice a violation of the law?
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What should an off-duty deputy do when they observe a non-emergency situation?
What should an off-duty deputy do when they observe a non-emergency situation?
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What action must an off-duty deputy refrain from once an on-duty officer arrives?
What action must an off-duty deputy refrain from once an on-duty officer arrives?
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Study Notes
Bexar County Sheriff's Office Policy Manual
- Effective Date: March 12, 2024
- Chapter Number: Six
- Subject: Individual Responsibility
- References: CCP Article 14.03(d), and PC Chapters 42 and 49
- Distribution: All Sheriff's Employees
- Supersedes: November 13, 2017
- Approved by: Javier Salazar, Bexar County Sheriff
- Pages: 18
6.01 Policy
- Sworn and non-sworn BCSO employees held to a higher standard than other professions
- Policies and procedures, both on- and off-duty, govern conduct and demeanor
- Supervisors are responsible for enforcing policy provisions
- "Deputy" refers to deputies of all ranks
6.02 Purpose
- Policy outlines expected individual conduct for BCSO employees
- Brings the conducts in one place
- Coincides with Chapter 5 Employee Conduct and other relevant chapters
- Areas with similar information are noted in individual sections
6.03 Alertness
- Employees maintain attentiveness to duties, demonstrate interest in work, through observation
6.04 Subject to Duty
- Deputies consider themselves available for duty, in any emergency, in Bexar County
- Deputies who are BCSO peace officers carry credentials, badge, and service weapon at all times.
6.05 Supervisors
- Supervisors maintain supervisory duties on and off duty
- Supervisors prohibit participation in inappropriate behavior, sexual harassment, or other significant infractions
6.06 Requirement to Take Action
- Deputies' responsibility for enforcing laws, protecting lives and property, and taking immediate and responsible action to prevent offense, arrest offenders, and protect individuals and property
- Exceptions are when deputies are suspended or on administrative leave
6.07 Taking Action Off-Duty
- Deputies with non-emergency situations report to the appropriate law enforcement agency
- Deputies are to not interfere in the matter unless requested
6.08 Activities Outside of Bexar County
- Deputies should not purposely enter another county, except on supervisor direction or if a felony or violation occurs in that county under certain conditions
6.09 Reporting for Duty
- Employees should report for duty punctually and in the correct manner as specified by the authority
- Employees should be properly uniformed or dressed, have proper equipment, and be prepared to carry out duties
6.10 Availability When On-Duty
- Employees shall not conceal themselves unless in an official law enforcement capacity.
6.11 On-Duty Activities
- Employees limited to on-duty activities
- Employees cannot enter amusement places or theaters, except for approved law enforcement purposes
- Employees may not remain in one place longer than necessary to accomplish their objective
6.12 Prompt Response to All Calls
- Deputies to respond quickly to citizen calls and mark themselves available
- Utilize CAD or radio if CAD is unavailable to indicate availability
6.13 Reporting Hazards and Assisting the Public
- Employees required to address issues like distress or hazardous situations, public inconvenience, or offenses appropriately.
- Provide assistance if appropriate or report the matter to the proper authorities
6.14 Reporting Crimes
- All employees to report possible crimes to supervisors
- Concealment of crime information will not be tolerated
- Knowledge, or information received, about crimes must be reported
6.15 Reporting Incidents
- Employees must report any off-duty incidents that result in arrest or criminal charges.
6.16 Official Reports
- Reports must be timely, accurate and follow BCSO procedures
- Reports submitted to supervisors for approval before leaving duty.
- Reports will be in first-person/active voice with no slang, profanity, colloquial/insulting terms
6.17 Responsibility for Internal Investigations
- Internal Affairs Section investigates allegations of non-criminal misconduct
- Employees who observe other employee misconduct to report it to the Internal Affairs Section
- Supervisors can perform preliminary investigations only if necessary to determine the validity of a complaint or delay in investigation
6.18 Reporting Non-Compliance
- Employees reporting noncompliance will not have that reported against them
6.19 Absence From Assignment
- Employees must comply with the exceptions when leaving their area
- Specific reasons listed for leaving their area of responsibility
6.20 Traffic Stops Off Duty
- Off-duty deputies may not engage in traffic stops except in emergency situations or upon supervisor direction.
- On-duty deputies must have legal justification and proper equipment.
6.21 Training/Maintaining Certification
- Employees must maintain their licenses and training, or face possible consequences.
- Training must cover the necessary iterations to meet certification requirements
6.22 Administration
- Supervisors maintain proper records.
- Supervisors must enforce rules and ensure compliance with relevant procedures
6.23 Abide by Laws and BCSO Policies and Procedures
- Employees must adhere to laws, ordinances, and BCSO policies, procedures
- Section references additional policy chapters
6.24 Truthfulness of Employees
- Employees must report with truthfulness
- Reporting documents and communications must be truthful.
6.25 Obey Lawful Orders
- Disrespect/failure to obey lawful orders is considered insubordination.
- Orders must be clear, understandable in writing.
- Employees may not issue orders that violate BCSO policy or law
6.26 Responsibility to Serve the Public
- Employees to assist the public with honesty, etc., with respect to rights and needs.
- Remain unbiased and impartial in dealings regardless of race, etc., in criminal investigations and helping with the law.
6.27 Physical Hygiene and Psychological Well-Being
- Employees have to maintain good bodily hygiene
- Employees to maintain themselves physically and mentally
6.28 Relationships With Co-Workers
- Employees to behave professionally and respectfully towards each other.
6.29 Criticism of the Sheriff's Office
- Employees must not criticize the Sheriff's Office through their speech, writing or other forms of expression
6.30 Unauthorized Release of Information
- Employees to not share details of investigations with unauthorized individuals.
- No public addresses or publications for information about BCSO without permission
6.31 Information on Bulletin, County Email, and PowerDMS
- Employees should read daily bulletins and updates, review County email, and PowerDMS.
- They must read their emails and PowerDMS when returning from any absence.
6.32 Current Address and Phone Number
- Employees to report any address or phone changes appropriately.
6.33 Use of Intoxicants
- Employees cannot consume or have to do with intoxicants during duty.
- Employees shall not consume alcohol or intoxicants within 8 hours before a duty assignment, unless directed by a supervisor.
- Employees cannot bring into facilities any substances except with supervisor approval
6.34 Use of Tobacco
- Tobacco or e-cigarettes/vaping devices cannot be used in contact with the public or while in BCSO facilities/vehicles
- BCSO/County policies must be followed
6.35 Vehicle Operator's License
- Employees must have a valid driver's license when operating a county vehicle.
6.36 Financial Obligation
- Employees cannot put themselves or subordinate in financial obligation
- Employees should follow the county's policies and procedures in relation to financial obligations
6.37 Gratuities, Loans, and Solicitations
- BCSO employees are prohibited from accepting gifts, loans, solicitations from inmates, suspected criminal activity (directly or indirectly)
- Employees cannot receive anything of value from persons suspected of criminal activity
- Soliciting for funds for employees, BCSO or any other agency is not allowed unless permission is given in writing by the Sheriff
6.38 Accepting Rewards
- Employees cannot accept money or fees beyond their salary for tasks performed
- Employees cannot solicit or accept rewards from anyone connected to crime or the investigation
6.39 Outside Employment
- Employees to not do outside employment without Sheriff's permission
- Employees should obey all laws when doing outside employment for the BCSO.
- Employees must conduct themselves as if doing work for the BCSO for their duties.
6.40 County Equipment/Property
- Improper or negligent handling of equipment is discouraged and prohibited
- Deputies losing equipment might have to repay.
- County vehicles handled appropriately and in compliance with all traffic laws.
- Employees shall not misuse, waste, or convert to personal use county equipment or services
6.41 Employee Illness
- Employees must notify supervisor if they can't report to duty due to sickness or injury.
- Employees shall not come to work when they are sick or injured or report as if they are sick or injured
6.42 Negotiations on Behalf of Suspect
- Employees cannot participate in arrangements with suspects during investigations
- Employees cannot make promises that they cannot follow through with
6.43 Treatment of Prisoners
- Prisoners to be treated humanely and with respect for the law
6.44 Giving Information in Internal Investigations
- Employees must provide information to Internal Affairs or Public Integrity.
- The information given to Investigations will not be used elsewhere
6.45 Responsibility to Know Laws and Procedures
- Employees are to know the laws they are responsible for enforcing
- Employees familiarize themselves with policies and procedures
6.46 Soliciting Special Privileges
- Employees shall not use their position to procure special favors for themselves or others
- Employees cannot ask/solicit citizens to transfer or have work assignments altered
6.47 Consorting with Persons of Ill-Repute
- Employees must maintain associations that are of good character and reputation
- Employees are prohibited from associating, or making inappropriate associations, with persons who are suspected of a crime.
6.48 Displaying or Discharging Firearms
- Employees can lawfully discharge firearms for target practice, animal destruction, necessary self-defense, or hunting, with written report for other instances
- Accidents or deliberate firing instances must be reported to supervisors.
6.49 Activities of an Employee Under Suspension
- Employees cannot be in uniform, or represent themselves as employees or BCSO
- Employees should not perform law enforcement services
- Employees will not exercise authority or duty as a BCSO officer
6.50 Arrests in Personal Quarrels
- Deputies cannot make arrest in disputes where they are directly involved, unless bodily injury or death is imminent.
6.51 Report an Arrest, Criminal Charge, or Indictment
- Employees to report arrests, charges, or indictments regarding any criminal offense to their supervisors
6.52 Sexual Conduct Prohibited
- Employees cannot engage in sexual conduct during or outside duty, including specific situations covered under the relevant Texas Penal code.
6.53 Cooperation With Other Agencies
- Employees must cooperate with other agencies working in the enforcement of the law.
6.54 Relations With News Media
- Employees can be open and cooperative with news media, when possible.
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Description
This quiz covers Chapter 6 of the Bexar County Sheriff's Office Policy Manual, focusing on individual responsibility and expected conduct for sworn and non-sworn employees. It emphasizes the standards of behavior both on and off duty, along with the roles of supervisors in enforcing these policies.
