Law Enforcement Policy: Association with Inmates and Felons

Association Policy

• Employees are prohibited from establishing relationships with inmates or persons in custody, except when necessary to perform their duties.
• This policy applies to all employees, including those involved in undercover operations, with the exception of approved supervisors.

Association with Felons

• Employees are prohibited from forming business relationships or associating with individuals who are engaged in or planning to commit a felony.
• Exceptions are made for deputies involved in specific undercover operations and who have the approval of their supervisor, the Sheriff, or designee.

Association with Dissident or Subversive Groups

• Employees are prohibited from associating with individuals or organizations that are involved in criminal or discriminatory activity, or advocate for hatred, oppression, or persecution of any person or group.
• This policy applies to employees' personal and professional lives, except when acting in the line of duty.

Frequenting Undesirable Establishments

• Employees are prohibited from knowingly visiting or frequenting houses of prostitution, illegal or unauthorized gambling establishments, or any other location where Broward County ordinances or Florida Statutes are violated.
• Exceptions are made for employees who are performing their duties.

Visiting Lounge/Bar On Duty

• On-duty employees are prohibited from entering or visiting establishments where the primary business is the sale of alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises.
• Exceptions are made for employees who are acting in the line of duty.

Political Activity and Monies

• Employees have the right to hold membership in or support a political party, and to vote as they choose, as long as their activities do not represent official BSO policy.
• Employees, including those involved in federally assisted programs, are prohibited from using federal monies received by BSO for partisan political purposes.

Employee Statements

• BSO policy allows employees to express their opinions on BSO and its policies, but they must be truthful and reasonable when making public comments.
• Employees are prohibited from engaging in gossip, public criticism, or ridicule of agency employees, policies, or procedures through any means, if such actions are:
  • Unlawful
  • Defamatory
  • Profane
  • Made with reckless disregard for the truth
  • An impairment to the operation or interfere with the efficiency of the Sheriff's Office
• Employees must make every effort to resolve conflicts internally and notify their supervisor of their concerns, allowing BSO to attempt to resolve employee concerns.