Pasco Sheriff's Office Standards of Conduct

Pasco Sheriff's Office General Order 26.1: Standards of Conduct

• Effective Date: May 20, 2024
• Supersedes: January 11, 2024
• Accreditation Standards: CFA 2.02, 2.05, 4.05, 11.01
• Pages: 13
• Purpose: To provide guidelines for member conduct and discipline.
• Scope: Applies to all members.
• Discussion: Pasco Sheriff's Office personnel work as a team to serve the community. Failing to follow rules, regulations, and policies is detrimental to the team and the community. Supervisors are encouraged to use progressive discipline. Each misconduct instance is treated individually, without setting precedents.
• Policy: All members must abide by the outlined standards of conduct (CFA 2.02, 11.01).

Disciplinary Guidelines

• Violation of Rules: Members must avoid actions that violate rules, regulations, directives, or orders of the Sheriff's Office.
• Disciplinary Variance: The severity of misconduct, costs, time between incidents, length of service, and ability to correct behavior are considered when determining discipline.
• Repeat Offenses: Violations resulting in corrective action within two years are considered repeat offenses. Three or more days' suspension violations within three years are repeat offenses.
• Countermanding Rules or Directives: The Sheriff may suspend or countermand rules, orders, procedures, or directives when covert investigation or agency objectives require it. Bureau commanders may suspend/countermand rules to avoid obstructing objectives, with explanation to the Sheriff.

Rules and Regulations

• Neglect of Duty Offenses:
  • Personal Appearance: Members must maintain a neat and clean appearance in accordance with grooming standards while on duty or in uniform.
  • Identification: Certified law enforcement deputies must carry badge and commission at all times on duty, official business, or while carrying a firearm.
  • Firearms: Law enforcement deputies must carry an approved firearm in accordance with established procedures.
  • Care and Maintenance of Firearms: Members required to carry firearms must maintain them in a clean and serviceable condition.

Additional Procedures

• Notification of Address and Telephone Number

• Absence from Duty

• Failure to Report for Duty

• Tardiness

• Failure to Respond to a Subpoena or Notice of Deposition

• Court Appearances

• Refusal to Work Overtime or Special Hours

• Misuse of Sick Leave

• Failure to Report Personal Injury

• Failure to Report Loss of Equipment, Badge, or Identification Card

• Failure to Report a Motor Vehicle Accident or Damage to a Motor Vehicle

• Assigned Work Area

• Rest Periods

• Distraction of Others

• Follow General Orders, Directives, Procedures, and Special Orders

• Completion of Reports

• Complaints of Misconduct

• Monitoring Radios

• Radio Calls

• Obligation to Render Assistance

• Inattention to Duty

• Taking Suitable Action

• Endangering Others or Property

• Prisoner Custody and Transportation

• Cowardice

• Violation of Orders

• Election/Polling Places

• Public Speaking

• Use of Profanity

• Gossip

• Conflicts of Interest

• Association with Criminals

• Membership in or Advocacy of Hate Groups

• Name to be Given Upon Request

• Correspondence

• Chain of Command

• Conspicuous Display of Firearms

• Official Identification

• Derogatory Remarks

• Harassment

• Exposing others to Communicable Disease

• Off Duty Employment

• Home Address and Home Telephone Number

• Interfere With Official Investigations

• Members Under Investigation

• Dissemination of Information

• Communicating Criminal Information

• Undercover Deputies

• Political Activity

• Election/Polling Places

• Public Speaking

• Use of Profanity

• Gossip

• Conflicts of Interest

• Association with Criminals

• Membership in or Advocacy of Hate Groups

• Name to Be Given Upon Request

• Correspondence

• Use of Alcohol

• Use of Drugs

• Adult Entertainment and/or Liquor Establishments

• Defacing Sheriff's Office Facilities or Equipment

• Duplication of Issued Keys

• Transferring Issued Property

• Testimonials

• Unauthorized Use of Property and Equipment

• Restricted Areas/Equipment

• Use of Telephones

• Radio Transmissions

• Use and Handling of Weapons

• Handling Money and Property

• Processing Property and Evidence

• Handling of Equipment

• Damage to Motor vehicles

• Excessive or Unnecessary Force

• Answering Questions

• Inaccurate Statements

• Untruthfulness in Matters

• Falsification of Official Documents

• Improper Use of Official Position

• Statement of Responsibility

• Recommending Attorneys

• Recommending Bail

• Recommending Private Business

• Violating Laws

• Code of Ethics

• Conduct Unbecoming

• Glossary: Definitions for corrective action, formal discipline, informal discipline, and indexing.