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

PASCO SHERIFF'S OFFICE GENERAL ORDER TITLE: STANDARDS OF CONDUCT GENERAL ORDER: 26.1 EFFECTIVE: MAY 20, 2024 SUPERSEDES: JANUARY 11, 2024 ACCREDITATION STANDARDS: CFA 2.02, 2.05, 4.05, 11.01...

PASCO SHERIFF'S OFFICE GENERAL ORDER TITLE: STANDARDS OF CONDUCT GENERAL ORDER: 26.1 EFFECTIVE: MAY 20, 2024 SUPERSEDES: JANUARY 11, 2024 ACCREDITATION STANDARDS: CFA 2.02, 2.05, 4.05, 11.01 13 PAGES: CONTENTS: This order consists of the following numbered sections: I. DISCIPLINARY GUIDELINES II. RULES AND REGULATIONS III. GLOSSARY PURPOSE: To provide guidelines for member conduct and discipline. SCOPE: This order applies to all members. DISCUSSION: Pasco Sheriff’s Office personnel are members of a team working together with a primary purpose of serving the community. Individuals who fail to follow the rules and regulations, policies, and procedures governing conduct do a disservice to all other members of the Sheriff’s Of- fice and to the community. Supervisors are encouraged to pursue a policy of progressive discipline. However, each instance of misconduct is different and the Sheriff retains the right to treat each occurrence individually with- out creating a precedent for other cases that may arise in the future. Nothing in this policy is intended to limit the power of the Sheriff to discipline members. POLICY: All members will abide by the standards of conduct outlined in this order. [CFA 2.02, 11.01]  G.O. 26.1 PROCEDURE: I. DISCIPLINARY GUIDELINES: [CFA 11.01] A. Violation of Rules: Members will avoid any acts or omissions that would result in a violation of any rule, regulation, directive, or order of the Sheriff's Office. B. Disciplinary Variance: The severity of the misconduct, any costs involved, the time between violations, the length and quality of service records, and the ability to modify or correct the behav- ior of the member concerned will be considered when determining discipline. C. Repeat Offenses: 1. Violations that result in corrective action or informal discipline will be considered as repeat offenses when such repetition occurs within two years. 2. Violations resulting in formal discipline of three or more day's suspension will be considered repeat offenses when such repetition occurs within three years. D. Countermanding Rules or Directives: 1. The Sheriff may authorize the suspension of Sheriff’s Office rules, orders, procedures, or directives when necessary for covert investigations, or to achieve agency objectives. 2. Bureau commanders may suspend or countermand a rule, order, procedure, or directive when failure to do so would obstruct Sheriff's Office objectives. An explanation will be provid- ed to the Sheriff as soon as possible. II. RULES AND REGULATIONS: [CALEA 12.2.1 g] A. Neglect of Duty Offenses: 1. Personal Appearance: Members will maintain a neat and clean appearance in conform- ance with grooming and dress requirements while on duty and/or in uniform. 2. Identification to Be Carried: Certified law enforcement deputies will carry their badge and commission (identification) card on their person at all times when on duty, on official business, or when carrying a firearm. 3. Deputies to Carry Firearms: Law enforcement deputies will carry an approved firearm on or about their person in conformance with established procedures. 4. Care and Maintenance of Firearms: Members, required to carry firearms in the performance of official duties will maintain such firearms in a clean and serviceable condition. 2  G.O. 26.1 5. Notification of Correct Address and Telephone Number: Members will keep the Sheriff’s Office, including the Human Resources Division, informed of their current address and/or telephone number. 6. Absence from Duty without Authorization or Proper Notification: Members will re- port for duty in accordance with their assigned work schedules and will not be absent from duty without authorization or having made proper notification. Members who are unable to report for duty due to illness or other emergency will notify their supervisor as follows: a. Whenever possible, shift workers will notify their supervisor, or the on duty supervisor in charge, no less than one hour before the beginning of their tour of duty. b. Non-shift workers will notify their supervisor, or the on duty supervisor in charge, within 30 minutes after the start of their workday. Each day of unauthorized absence constitutes an independent violation. Unauthorized absences of three consecutive duty days will constitute a resignation without notice. 7. Failure to Report for Duty Due to Improper Conduct: Members will be circumspect in their private activities, and will not engage in activities such that they are unfit or unable to report for duty at the designated time. 8. Tardiness: Members will report for duty promptly and properly prepared at the time and place required by assignments or orders. 9. Failure to Respond to A Subpoena or Notice of Deposition: Members will report to the specified location at the time and date required by a subpoena or notice of deposition. Members unable to respond to a subpoena or notice of deposition will notify the party originating the subpoena or notice of deposition to obtain a release from the subpoena or deposition, and advise their supervisor of the situation. 10. Court Appearances: a. Members will not appear or testify as a character witness for any defendant in a criminal trial or judicial process without approval of the Sheriff or his designee. b. Members will not become involved in any promises or arrangements intended to permit the offenders to escape the full penalty provided by law. c. Members subpoenaed for cases concerning official PSO business must provide a copy of the subpoena to their supervisor. The member will also provide a copy to the State At- torney's Office, if appropriate. Attendance at the proceeding will be considered on duty. d. Members subpoenaed for cases unrelated to official PSO business will testify off duty and will not wear an agency uniform. 3  G.O. 26.1 e. Members must obtain supervisory approval to testify without being subpoenaed, in any proceeding related to Sheriff’s Office business. 11. Refusal to Work Overtime or Special Hours: Members will report for duty or remain on duty when assigned to work overtime, special hours, or special shifts. 12. Misuse of Sick Leave: Members will not deceive any superior or supervisor of the Sheriff’s Office as to the condition of their health for purposes of avoiding duties through use of accumulated sick leave. Performance of activity in conflict with stated purpose of sick leave use will constitute evidence of abuse. A pattern of claiming sick time in conjunction with days off, holidays, or weekends off may be considered misuse. Absences that qualify under Family Medical Leave are excluded. 13. Failure to Report Personal Injury: Members sustaining any injury that might impair their fitness for duty, whether sustained on duty or off duty, will provide written notification of the in- jury to their supervisor as soon as possible. 14. Failure to Report Loss of Equipment, Badge, or Identification Card: Members will im- mediately notify their supervisor of any damage to or loss of badge, identification card, or other Sheriff’s Office equipment. 15. Failure to Report a Motor Vehicle Crash or Damage to a Motor Vehicle: Members will immediately report motor vehicle crashes in which they are involved with a Sheriff’s vehicle. Members will also promptly report damage to an assigned agency vehicle not caused as the result of a crash. 16. Assigned Work Area: Members will remain at or within their assigned work areas during working hours. 17. Rest Periods: Members will take only the amount of time for meal or rest periods estab- lished by procedures or by a supervisor. 18. Distraction of Others: Members will not engage in any activity or behavior that distracts others from performing their duties. 19. Failure to Follow General Orders, Directives, Procedures and Special Orders: Members will adhere to general orders, bureau directives, division procedures, special orders, and memo- randa, and will execute the duties and responsibilities of their assigned position. [CFA 11.01] 20. Completion of Reports and Documents: Law enforcement deputies will complete all initial Offense/Incident reports and associated documents required in the execution of their duties be- fore concluding a tour of duty, except as authorized by a supervisor. 21. Complaints of Misconduct: Members will adhere to policies and procedures established for the receipt of complaints of alleged misconduct by Sheriff’s personnel. 4  G.O. 26.1 22. Monitoring Radios: Members operating a radio equipped Sheriff’s Office vehicle will mon- itor the appropriate radio groups at all times. 23. Radio Calls: Members will respond promptly to radio communications when operating Sheriff’s Office vehicles, whether on or off duty. 24. Obligation to Render Assistance: Members will be responsive to requests for assistance from citizens, or from other Sheriff’s personnel, and will take appropriate action whether on or off duty. All members must recognize and act upon the duty to intervene to prevent or stop any member from conducting any act that violates law or policy (for example, excessive force, theft, fraud, inappropriate language, sexual misconduct, harassment, falsifying documents, inappropriate behavior, etc.). Intervention may be verbal and/or physical. Members must immediately notify their supervisor after conducting any type of intervention, when it is safe to do so. Failure to intervene may subject a member to disciplinary action. 25. Inattention to Duty: Members will be attentive to job duties and will avoid any appearance of loafing, loitering, or otherwise neglecting work. 26. Taking Suitable Action: Members will not ignore or violate official directives, policies, procedures, orders, supervisory instructions, or knowingly fail to properly execute the duties and responsibilities of their assigned position. 27. Endangering Others or Property Through Neglect: Members will not knowingly refrain or cause another to refrain from the performance of lawful duties required for the safety of per- sons or property. Deputies will take appropriate action in response to emergencies where there is a known danger to the lives of others, and in response to serious crimes, particularly those of a violent nature, which come to their attention while on or off duty. 28. Prisoner Custody and Transportation: Deputies will adhere to agency arrest procedures and will exercise proper care in the arrest, transportation, and detention of prisoners to prevent escape, injury to self or others, or damage to property. Prisoners will be searched carefully by the arresting deputy. Weapons, contraband, or evidence will be immediately confiscated and docu- mented. When a prisoner cannot be thoroughly searched before transport or custody, the arrest- ing deputy will notify the deputy receiving the prisoner. 29. Cowardice: Deputies are expected to respond to emergency situations and to engage threats in order to preserve life. No deputy shall display cowardice or fail to act in support of their fel- low deputies in the performance of duty. They shall act together and assist and protect each other in the maintenance of law and order. 30. Violation of Orders, Policies, Directives, or Procedures by Others: Members will imme- diately report violations of Sheriff’s Office orders, policies, directives, or procedures to their immediate supervisor or Professional Standards. B. Improper Conduct Offenses: 1. Courtesy: Members will be polite and courteous to the public and other Sheriff’s personnel. 5  G.O. 26.1 2. Use of Profanity: Members will not use profanity or vulgarity in speech or gestures while representing the Sheriff’s Office in any manner. 3. Gossip: Members will not engage in gossip detrimental to other personnel, the public, or the office. 4. Conflicts of lnterest in Personal, Civil, Domestic, or Neighbor Disputes: Members will avoid official involvement in personal, civil, domestic, neighbor, or family disputes. Such inci- dents will be referred or reassigned for handling. 5. Association with Criminals: Members will avoid regular or continuous association or dealings with persons, other than immediate family or an individual with whom the member has a child in common, who are known convicted felons, are on felony probation, community con- trol, felony pre-trial intervention, are under any other type of court supervision, are known to have a lifestyle of criminal activity, or who are known to be under investigation by the Sheriff's Office or another law enforcement agency. 6. Membership In or Advocacy of Hate Groups: Sheriff’s members will not join or attend meetings of, or be an advocate for any group or organization that would reflect negatively on the Sheriff’s Office or adversely affect the member's ability to perform his or her duties. 7. Name to Be Given Upon Request: Members will give their name, rank, or position in a respectful and courteous manner to any person requesting such identification while the member is on duty or in uniform. 8. Correspondence: Members will not use the Sheriff's Office or any of its facilities as a mailing address for private or personal purposes unless specifically authorized. (An exception is made for addresses on Florida driver licenses.) Sheriff’s Office letterhead will not be used for private or personal correspondence. 9. Chain of Command: Members will adhere to the organizational chain of command in the course of regular duties, except as permitted elsewhere in these general orders. 10. Conspicuous Display of Firearms: Firearms may be openly carried on duty only when a Pasco Sheriff’s office badge is conspicuously displayed, or when wearing approved attire bear- ing the Pasco Sheriff' s Office Star identifying the member as a Deputy Sheriff. Otherwise, fire- arms carried in public, including off-duty, will be concealed from public view and will be secure- ly holstered or carried in a secure covering. [CFA 4.05] 11. Official Identification: Members will maintain the security of official Sheriff's Office identification and will not lend their identification card or badge to another person, or permit them to be reproduced. 12. Derogatory Remarks: Members will not make derogatory remarks concerning, but not limited to, race, sex, religion, age, or national origin of any person. 13. Harassment: Members will not harass, threaten, or coerce any person based on factors of, but not limited to, race, sex, religion, age or natural origin. 6  G.O. 26.1 14. Exposing Others to Communicable Disease: Members will not knowingly expose others to a serious communicable disease. 15. Off Duty Employment: Members will obtain approval before engaging in other employment, occupation, profession, or commercial enterprise. Members will not accept off duty employment that conflicts with the general order indexed as Extra Duty and Off Duty Employment. 16. Home Address and Home Telephone Number Confidential: The home addresses and telephone numbers of Sheriff’s members will be treated as confidential information. Such information will be released only when authorized by the Sheriff, or with the member's consent. 17. Interfere with Official Investigation: Members will not involve themselves, or interfere with cases being investigated by other deputies or other governmental agencies, nor undertake any investigation or other official action not part of their regular duties unless the exigencies of the situation require immediate action. In the latter case, the member's supervisor will be notified immediately thereafter. 18. Members Under Investigation: Members will not attempt, directly or indirectly, to influ- ence the outcome of an administrative or criminal investigation. 19. Dissemination of lnformation: Members will treat the official business of the Sheriff’s Office as confidential. Information regarding official business will be disseminated only to those for whom it is intended and in accordance with established procedures. Members may remove or copy official records or reports only in accordance with established procedures. 20. Communicating Criminal Information: Members will not provide law enforcement information to another that may aid a person to escape arrest, delay the apprehension of a criminal suspect, or secure the removal of stolen property. Members will not divulge the identity of criminal informants, except as required by law and authorized by the Sheriff. 21. Undercover Deputies: Members will protect the identity of deputies who are engaged in covert operations. 22. Political Activity: Members will not engage in political activities while on duty or in agency uniforms. (Exceptions to this provision may be made for ballot issues which the Sheriff has determined to be of interest to the agency and for which participation guidelines have been established.) No member shall coerce or pressure another member to vote for or against, or support or oppose, a political candidate or issue, nor use their agency position to improperly influence others in their support or opposition to a candidate or issue. 23. Election/Polling Places: Deputies will not enter or remain within an official polling place except to cast a ballot or in performance of their official duties. 24. Public Speaking: Members will secure the consent of the Sheriff before making any state- 7  G.O. 26.1 ment, public appearance, publishing any article, or releasing information on behalf of the agency or in their official position. 25. Testimonials: Members will obtain the approval of the Sheriff before authorizing the use of their names, photos, or official titles that identify them as members of the Sheriff’s Office. 26. Smoking and Use of Tobacco Products: Members will adhere to the agency Smoke and Tobacco Free Workplace policy. 27. Use of Alcohol: Members will not consume intoxicating liquors or alcoholic beverages of any kind while on duty. Members will not report for duty with the odor of alcoholic beverages on their breath, or while under the influence of alcohol that would adversely affect their job per- formance. Members will not transport alcoholic beverages in their agency vehicles, except in the performance of their duty. 28. Use of Drugs: Members will not use or possess any controlled substance or illegal drug, except as prescribed by a physician or dentist, or in the performance of their duty. This includes the use or possession of a substance which is illegal under the laws of Florida, even if a substance is legal in another state or country (i.e. members may not use or possess a substance in another state or country if it is illegal in Florida). Members will not use or possess low THC or medical cannabis on or off duty under any circumstance, even if prescribed by a physician or dentist. Members will inform Human Resources in writing before reporting for duty when a controlled substance is prescribed. Members will also inform Human Resources in writing before reporting for duty if other medications are used that might affect their ability to perform their duties. Human Resources will verify whether the prescribed controlled substance or medication impairs a member's ability to perform their duties. Human Resources will notify the member’s supervisor of the memorandum on file and the supervisor shall be responsible to advise Human Resources if there are any concerns with the member’s ability to perform their duties related to the use of the medication. 29. "Adult" Entertainment and/or Liquor Establishments: While on duty and/or in uniform, deputies will not enter or frequent places established primarily for the sale, storage, or consump- tion of alcoholic beverages; the sale or display of sexually explicit pictures or materials; or nude or semi-nude performances while on duty and/or in uniform, except in discharge of official du- ties. 30. Defacing Sheriff’s Office Facilities or Equipment: Members will not intentionally mark, mar, alter, or deface any Sheriff’s Office facility or equipment. 31. Defacing or Marring Bulletin Boards: Members will not place unauthorized material on agency bulletin boards or intentionally mark or deface, or remove printed or written notices placed upon Sheriff’s Office bulletin boards. 32. Duplication of Issued Keys: Members will not duplicate or transfer possession of any key designated as Sheriff’s Office property without the explicit permission of the Sheriff or his designee. 33. Transferring Issued Property: Members will not transfer issued agency property without 8  G.O. 26.1 the explicit permission of the Purchasing Manager or his/her designee. 34. Unauthorized Use of Property and Equipment: Members will not appropriate any Sheriffs Office property for their personal use. 35. Restricted Areas/Equipment: Members will obtain authorization from a supervisor before using Sheriff’s Office equipment not assigned, or before entering any locked or restricted area of Sheriff’s facilities. 36. Use of Telephones: Members will use agency telephones in accordance with established procedures, and will not use long distance lines or charge long distance calls to the agency for personal, social, or unofficial purposes, except in serious or emergency matters. 37. Radio Transmissions: Members will use official radio groups in accordance with estab- lished procedures and will avoid use of sarcasm, impertinent remarks, or other improper radio transmission. 38. Use and Handling of Weapons: Deputies will use and handle weapons in a careful, safe, and prudent manner on and off duty. 39. Handling Money and Property: Money or other property coming into the possession of Sheriff’s personnel will be delivered to the property custodian and a report made of the transaction. 40. Processing Property and Evidence: Property and evidence, received in connection with of- ficial Sheriff’s Office duties, will be processed in accordance with established procedures. Mem- bers will not convert to their own use, manufacture, conceal, falsify, destroy, remove, tamper with, or withhold any property or evidence held in connection with an investigation or other offi- cial action. 41. Handling of Equipment: Members will use Sheriff’s Office equipment for its intended purpose and will not subject such equipment to unauthorized access or unauthorized use; or to loss or damage through careless handling, abuse, or misuse. 42. Damage to Motor Vehicles, Vessels, and Aircraft From an Avoidable Crash: Members will operate Sheriff’s Office vehicles, vessels, and aircraft in a careful and prudent manner. 43. Excessive or Unnecessary Force: Deputies will use only that degree of force necessary to perform official duties. Certified members must intervene to stop or attempt to stop another cer- tified member when force is being inappropriately applied or is no longer required. Members must immediately notify their supervisor after conducting any type of intervention, when it is safe to do so. Failure to intervene may subject a member to disciplinary action. Any use of force resulting in personal injury will be reported in accordance with established procedures. 44. Answering Questions in Official Investigations: Members are required to answer all ques- tions related to the performance of their duties. Failure to answer questions related to the perfor- mance of their duties may result in disciplinary action, including dismissal. However, no infor- mation obtained through an administrative investigation compelled statement may be used in 9  G.O. 26.1 any future criminal prosecution. 45. Inaccurate Statements: Members will not make a misleading, contradictory, or inaccurate statement in any matter for the purpose of obtaining personal benefit or gain, or related to Sher- iffs Office matters or any other official investigation or proceeding. 46. Untruthfulness in Sheriff's Office Matters: Members will not make false or untrue statements, whether verbal or in writing, in any matter for the purpose of obtaining personal benefit or gain, or related to Sheriff’s Office matters or any other official investigation or proceeding. 47. Falsification of Official Documents: Members will not falsify or cause another to falsify an official record or document. 48. Improper Use of Official Position or Identification: Members will not use their official position or identification to gain benefits, favors or unfair advantage. Members will not use their official position to harass, threaten, or coerce any person. 49. Statement of Responsibility: Members who become involved in personal injury or property damage crashes, while on duty or while operating a Sheriff’s vehicle, will not make statements concerning the responsibility for such crashes, or inform parties that the county or Sheriff’s Of- fice will pay for damages. Persons involved should be referred to their own insurance compa- nies. 50. Recommending Attorneys: Members will not recommend or suggest to any person arrested, prisoner, or any other person concerned with a prisoner in custody, the employment or services of any specific attorney. 51. Recommending Bail Bondsmen and Furnishing Bail: Pursuant to Florida Statute 648.44, members will not recommend or suggest to any person arrested, prisoner, or any other person concerned with a prisoner in custody, the employment or services of any specific bail bondsmen. Members who become surety, guarantor, or furnish bail for any person arrested or charged with a crime must notify his or her supervisor. 52. Recommending Private Business or Company: Members will not refer or recommend any private business or company to the public while acting in their official capacity or representing the Sheriff' s Office. 53. Violating Laws Relating to Office of Sheriff: Members will not knowingly violate, or cause another to violate, any statute or lawfully adopted rule or regulation. 54. Code of Ethics for Public Officers and Employees: Members will not violate the Code of Ethics for Public Officers and Employees as set forth in Florida State Statute. 55. Conduct Unbecoming a Member of the Sheriff’s Office: Members will not engage in con- duct, on duty or off duty, which has an adverse impact upon the operation of the Sheriff’s Office, or which may impair public respect and confidence in the Sheriff’s Office and its members. Such conduct may include, but is not limited to, participation in any immoral, indecent or disorderly conduct, or conduct that causes substantial doubts concerning a person's honesty, fairness, or respect for the rights of others, or the laws of the state or nation, regardless of whether such act 10  G.O. 26.1 or conduct constitutes a crime. 56. PSO Intranet, Internet, and E-Mail Systems: Members will use the PSO intranet, Internet, and e-mail systems in an effective, ethical and lawful manner. Viewing, downloading, and/or transmitting materials, for other than official law enforcement purposes, that is known to involve the use of obscene language, images, jokes, sexually explicit materials, or messages that disparage any person, group, or classification of individuals, or would otherwise reflect negatively upon the Sheriff's Office is prohibited, whether on or off duty. C. Insubordination Offenses: 1. Respect Toward Superiors and Subordinate Members: Members will treat superior of- ficers, subordinates, and associates with respect while on or off duty. Members will be referred to by proper rank or title when conducting official business or in public when on duty or in uni- form. 2. Compliance With Direct Order of A Superior: Members will comply with the direct or- der or instructions given by a supervisor or superior officer, and will not refuse to comply when such orders or instructions are lawful and proper. This includes orders or instructions relayed from a supervisor by personnel of the same or lesser rank. [CFA 2.05] 3. Compliance With a Direct Order of A Professional Standards Unit Investigator: Members will obey the lawful orders of Professional Standards investigators, or supervisors to answer questions related to the investigation of misconduct. 4. Criticism of Orders or Policies: Members will not criticize or ridicule the Sheriff’s Office, its policies, orders, or personnel in speech, writing, or by other expression while on duty or while representing the Sheriff's Office. 5. Signing of Documents: Members will comply with instructions given by a supervisor to sign any official document. Affixing one's signature to the document serves as an acknowledgment and/or receipt of the document and does not necessarily indicate agreement with its content. In circumstances when personnel disagree with the content of a document, a written rebuttal may be submitted for attachment to the document. D. Unlawful Conduct Offenses: Disciplinary measures resulting from unlawful conduct may be imposed independently of, or concurrent with, arrests and/or civil and criminal prosecutions. The administration of internal disciplinary measures for an arrest and/or unlawful conduct depends upon individual case circumstances and will be determined by the Sheriff. 1. Noncriminal Violations: Members will adhere to all federal, state, and local laws and ordinances including those punishable by no other penalty than a fine, forfeiture, or other civil penalty. This includes, but is not limited, to traffic infractions. 2. Arrest. Members who are arrested for any offense by any federal, state, or local law enforcement agency are subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination. Members shall not be subject to disciplinary action if the judge at first appearance does not uphold the arresting agency’s finding of probable cause for the arrest. 11  G.O. 26.1 3. Arrest for Misdemeanor or Commission of Misdemeanor: Members will adhere to all federal, state, and local laws and will not be arrested for or commit any act or crime which, if committed in the state of Florida, would constitute a misdemeanor, whether charges are filed or not. 4. Arrest for Felony or Commission of Felony: Members will adhere to all federal, state, and local laws and will not be arrested for or commit any act or crime which, if committed in the State of Florida, would constitute a felony, whether charges are filed or not. E. Job Knowledge and Performance: 1. General Proficiency: a. Members must maintain the job knowledge and skills necessary for the performance of of- ficial duties. b. Members will maintain and demonstrate their knowledge of the law and criminal proce- dure, will maintain proficiency in required interpersonal skills, care and use of vehicles and equipment, the use of firearms, and physical ability to· perform the essential elements of their position. (Members will be tested for proficiency as provided by Sheriff’s Office policy. Failure to main- tain job skills after instruction or training will result in disciplinary actions.) 2. Careless Disregard: Repeated violation of Sheriff’s Office rules and regulations and/or of- ficial directives or procedures may be indicative of careless disregard. 3. Supervisor Responsibility: Supervisors are charged with the responsibility of providing guidance and assistance to their subordinates and instilling positive work ethics. Supervisors will: a. Train, direct, lead, supervise, and evaluate members in their assigned duties; b. Provide leadership and guidance in developing loyalty and dedication to the law enforcement profession; c. Perform specific duties and functions as assigned by a superior officer; d. Cooperate with other agency units and other law enforcement agencies; e. Commend members who are properly performing their duties, dealing fairly and equitably with all members, and, when necessary, correct a subordinate in a dignified manner; f. Initiate remedial or disciplinary action for inefficient, incompetent, orunsuitable members; g. Accept, discuss, and handle grievances according to agency policy; h. Ensure that all agency policies, rules, regulation, orders, and directives are enforced and implemented by their subordinates; and i. Remain accountable for the failure, misconduct, or omissions of their subordinates. 12  G.O. 26.1 III. GLOSSARY: CORRECTIVE ACTION - Action intended to modify or improve behavior and elicit compliance with established policies and procedures, i.e., letter of counseling, reprimand, and sanctions. FORMAL DISCIPLINE - Action resulting in the loss of pay or benefits, i.e., suspension of three days or more, demotion of more than one rank, or dismissal. INFORMAL DISCIPLINE -Action resulting in loss of pay or benefits, i.e., suspension of two days or less, demotion of one rank. INDEXING: CONDUCT DISCIPLINE RULES AND REGULATIONS STANDARDS OF CONDUCT DRAFTED: NS/LAM / February 8, 2024 / Filed: 26.1 Standards of Conduct APPROVED: CHRIS NOCCO, SHERIFF PASCO COUNTY, FLORIDA 13