Sheriff's Office Code of Conduct

• Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office personnel must follow a prescribed Code of Conduct
• Personnel actions, on or off-duty, reflect on the Office for accountability

Compliance with Laws, Rules, and Regulations

• Personnel must obey and protect the rights of people per the U.S. Constitution
• Personnel must obey all felony criminal laws of the U.S. and any state and local jurisdiction
• Formal criminal charges are evidence of a violation
• Personnel must obey all misdemeanor criminal laws of the U.S. and any state and local jurisdiction
• Formal criminal charges are evidence of a violation
• Personnel must obey all municipal, county, state, and federal civil laws, including Protective Orders
• Employees must provide a copy of any Protective Order affecting them to the Sheriff through the chain of command
• Personnel cannot commit or omit acts violating rules, regulations, duties, responsibilities, directives, or orders
• Violations can lead to termination from the Office
• Personnel must conduct themselves to reflect favorably on the Department, both on and off-duty
• Conduct unbecoming a Deputy or employee includes actions or behaviors that could bring the Office into disrepute
• Conduct unbecoming a Deputy or employee impairs the Office's operation or efficiency
• Personnel arrested or cited for any criminal offense or major traffic violation in any jurisdiction must inform their immediate supervisor
• This reporting includes any arrest or citation, on or off-duty
• Personnel must notify their supervisor within 48 hours after an arrest or citation

Special Consideration, Privilege, Professional Courtesy

• Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office personnel will not give special consideration, privilege, or professional courtesy to other Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office personnel or to personnel from other law enforcement agencies when personnel are involved in a violation of any law
• Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office personnel under investigation for violating any law will not seek special consideration, privilege, or professional courtesy from other Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office personnel or from personnel of other law enforcement agencies

Reporting for Duty

• Personnel must report for duty at the assigned time and place
• Personnel must be physically and mentally fit to perform their duties
• Personnel must be properly equipped to immediately assume duties
• Personnel shall not feign illness or injury, or attempt to deceive any official of the Office or the County as to the condition of their health

Conduct While On-Duty

• Personnel must direct their efforts to accomplish the functions of the Office intelligently and efficiently
• Personnel shall not engage in personal business that causes neglect or inattentiveness to duty
• Personnel must maintain sufficient competency to perform their duties and assume responsibilities in position
• Personnel must perform duties to maintain the established standard of efficiency in carrying out the functions and objectives of the Office
• Personnel must notify their supervisor before leaving their duty station or post for any reason, if possible
• Personnel can suspend duties for meals during their tour, subject to immediate call, and as directed by their supervisor
• Personnel will refrain from using tobacco, cigarettes, or electronic smoking devices when in direct contact with the public
• Personnel must promptly obey all lawful orders of a superior, including orders relayed from a superior by an employee of the same or lesser rank
• A subordinate is never to obey an order they know to be unlawful
• Insubordination includes neglecting or refusing lawful orders from a superior officer
• Insubordination includes treating a superior with contempt or disrespect in language or conduct
• Personnel given a conflicting order shall respectfully inform the supervisor
• Supervisors have the discretion to retract the conflicting order, or allow the conflicting order stand

Prohibited Conduct

• Personnel shall not recommend or suggest particular products or professional services, except in personal business
• Personnel shall not possess business cards or other forms of advertisement while on duty unless necessary for their duty
• Personnel shall never act officiously or allow personal feelings, prejudice, animosity, or friendship to influence their decisions
• Personnel shall maintain a neutral and detached attitude in the performance of their duties
• Personnel shall refrain use violent, profane, or insolent language or gestures unless justification can be made
• Personnel shall not express prejudice concerning race, religion, politics, national origin, life style, or similar personal characteristics
• Personnel shall obtain information officially and courteously, and act upon it judiciously within their duties and follow Office procedures when anyone requests assistance or advice, or makes complaints or reports
• Personnel shall wear uniforms or clothing according to Office rules
• Except under orders from a supervisor, personnel on-duty must maintain a neat, well-groomed appearance and style their hair according to Office regulations
• Personnel shall not alter, misrepresent, or make false statements on any official document, including reports, citations, public records, vouchers, overtime slips, leave requests, affidavits, or any written instrument completed by Office personnel
• Personnel must complete and submit all reports and written documentation on time and according to Office procedures
• Personnel must truthfully answer questions specifically directed to them and related to the scope of employment and operations of the Office
• Personnel must keep Employee Emergency Contact Information with the Administrative Section and update it as needed

Outside Employment

• Employees may engage in outside business activity or employment if it is not inconsistent or incompatible with their duties and responsibilities as a member of the Office
• The Sheriff or their designee must approve and may revoke outside business activity or employment
• Approval requires completion of a form provided by the Bernalillo County Human Services Department

Conduct Both On and Off-Duty

• Employees shall not use their position for personal or financial gain or to obtain privileges or avoid consequences of illegal acts
• Employees shall not lend identification or badges to others or allow them to be photographed or reproduced without the Sheriff's approval
• Employees shall not use their name or photograph with their official title or in connection with endorsements or advertisements without the Sheriff's approval
• Personnel shall avoid regular associations with those under active criminal investigation or indictment or with a reputation for criminal behavior, except as necessary for official duties or when unavoidable due to personal relationships
• Personnel shall not engage or participate in any form of illegal gambling at any time, except in the performance of duty and while acting under proper and specific orders from a supervisor
• Personnel presenting themselves as official representatives shall not criticize or ridicule the Office, its policies, or other personnel in a manner that undermines the Office's effectiveness, interferes with the maintenance of discipline, or with reckless disregard for the truth
• Personnel shall not officially represent the Office without prior authority
• Personnel shall treat the official business of the Office as confidential
• Information regarding official business shall only be disseminated to those for whom it is intended, in accordance with established Office procedures
• Personnel shall not knowingly interfere with criminal or administrative investigations, assigned tasks, or duty assignments; personnel shall not attempt to secure the withdrawal or abandonment of a complaint or charges
• Personnel will cooperate fully in internal investigations and will be afforded all rights and protection provided by law, County Personnel and Labor Ordinances, Collective Bargaining Agreements, and Office Standard Operating Procedures
• Personnel shall not conduct criminal or administrative follow-up investigations outside their assignment and employment with Bernalillo County without prior authorization from the primary investigator or immediate supervisor
• Personnel must provide information regarding their Internal Affairs file when ordered by a court, the Sheriff, Undersheriff, or Chief Deputy; personnel should seek advice of counsel, the court, Sheriff, Undersheriff, or Chief Deputy when in doubt
• Personnel must safeguard and properly use all Departmental issued property, utilizing authorized equipment only for its intended purpose, in accordance with established Departmental procedures
• All Departmental issued equipment must be maintained in proper order
• Personnel shall operate official vehicles based on Office training, policy and procedure
• The loss or suspension of one's driver’s license must be immediately reported to immediate supervisor
• Personnel shall present their badge or identification card when requested in the Law Enforcement Center or a sub-station, and not in uniform
• When in the Law Enforcement Center or a sub-station, personnel must provide name, rank, and duty assignment to anyone who requests
• Personnel shall not attend auctions during on-duty hours while displaying an ID card and/or badge unless directed by a supervisor or assignment
• Under normal circumstances, personnel will use the chain of command to communicate with a supervisor
• In emergencies, personnel may bypass their immediate supervisor and notify that supervisor as soon as possible
• Personnel shall not photograph any crime scene or police-related investigation by digital means for personal use
• Personnel shall not release any documents of the Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office for use in any hearing or court, unless a judicial subpoena or court order has been issued, or the County Attorney or the Sheriff has approved the release
• Personnel shall not be the primary investigators on law enforcement matters in which they are personally involved.

Alcohol Beverages and Controlled Substances

• Personnel shall not bring alcoholic beverages into any police facility or County vehicle, except in the performance of their official duties
• Personnel shall not consume alcoholic beverages while on duty or while utilizing Office property, unless such use is required to perform official duties
• Personnel shall not use alcoholic beverages off-duty to the extent that they are unable to report for their next scheduled tour of duty, or discredits the Office
• Personnel shall not consume intoxicating beverages on or off-duty after being involved in an incident that may result in a criminal or administrative investigation of their conduct, until the investigator deems preliminary investigation complete
• Personnel must notify immediate supervisor if a prescription requires on-duty use of a controlled substance
• Personnel shall not store or bring any controlled substances, narcotics, or hallucinogens into any police facility or vehicle, except as required in the performance of their official duties, or when prescribed by a licensed physician or dentist

Smoking

• Smoking, tobacco use; including E Cigarettes is not permitted within buildings or vehicles maintained and owned/operated by the County of Bernalillo, unless necessary in performance of official duties.

Gratuities

• Personnel shall not solicit or accept, either for themselves or other personnel, gifts, or compensation for service performed in the line of duty, other than that which is paid by the County or which is allowed by the Sheriff
• Establishments offering food, beverages, and/or services at a lesser rate through their policy shall not receive any official considerations, but shall be treated the same as any other establishment
• The Office does not endorse personnel accepting any items free of charge or at a discount rate that is not available to the general public
• Personnel shall not use their official positions to gain entry into any event without paying admission, except in the line of duty; events include sporting events, liquor establishments, or places of amusement
• Personnel shall not use their official position or official identification card or badges to solicit for personal or financial gain, to obtain privileges, or to avoid consequences of illegal acts

Volunteer Status of Deputies

• Law Enforcement personnel may provide security officer services on a volunteer basis under specific conditions
• They must provide advance written notice to their Captain of the date, time, and location of the event
• They must be in a voluntary status and not receiving compensation or have obtained approval for outside employment
• They must not represent or hold themselves out to be Law Enforcement Officers
• They must not wear their Badge of Office or display any identification which identifies them as Law Enforcement Officers
• They do not take law enforcement action while in the security officer role

Employee Nepotism and Fraternization Policy

• The office policy on personal relationships between Office employees could lead to a conflict of interest, an adverse impact on Office operation, safety, efficiency, and morale
• The Office believes that the most qualified candidates shall be impartially selected for positions in the Office

Definitions

• Family Relationship: Includes spouse, parent, children, brother or sister, grandparent or grandchild, aunt or uncle, niece or nephew, or any other relative living in the same household as the employee or another individual related by blood, marriage, or quasi-marriage in the same household as an employee; a significant other or domestic partner
• Personal Relationship: A relationship involving employees who are dating, engaged in a romantic relationship, or cohabitating
• Supervisor: A superior deputy or professional employee who supervise and directs the activities of personnel assigned to them
• Subordinate: An employee who is answerable to another employee based on their rank or job classification
• Dating: One or more social meeting between employees and lead to a romantic relationship

Procedure

• Employees related to or involved in a romantic relationship with a candidate for hiring shall not be involved in the selection process/recuse themselves
• An employee related to or involved in a romantic relationship is required to participate, the final decision is subject to approval of the Sheriff
• Employees generally shall not directly supervise a relative or another employee where a personal relationship exists; the subordinate must select assignments that will not put them under the supervision or management of a relative
• Relatives or employees who are engaged in a romantic relationship shall not to the same shift or unit without specific approval of the Sheriff
• Personnel is required notify their Captain to working in the same division as a relative
• The Captain will review if supervisor and subordinate cohabitation creates a potential conflict
• The Captain will transfer, reassign, or otherwise resolve the situation
• The department will receive input from the involved employees
• The Captain shall prepare a written report regarding the situation and their resolutions

Failure to report nepotism and/or fraternization compromises the integrity of the Office's chain of command, disrupts the work environment, causes decline in morale, and can reduce productivity which constitutes misconduct and may subject an employee to disciplinary action