Sheriff's Policy Manual PDF

SHERIFF’S POLICY MANUAL 2.10 MISUSE AND ABUSE OF AUTHORITY: A. General: With a mission aimed at protecting public welfare, employees often possess a higher level of access to and authority over the public. Just as the public’s welfare...

SHERIFF’S POLICY MANUAL 2.10 MISUSE AND ABUSE OF AUTHORITY: A. General: With a mission aimed at protecting public welfare, employees often possess a higher level of access to and authority over the public. Just as the public’s welfare is protected, so must their trust. Legitimacy must be earned and safeguarded through professional and lawful actions. B. Purpose: The purpose of this policy is to establish boundaries aimed at safeguarding the rights of the public and preserving the integrity of the organization. C. Definitions: 1. Abuse of Authority: An arbitrary and illegitimate exercise of authority that is intended to benefit the employee and harm the rights of others (e.g., violating a citizen’s civil rights). 2. Close Personal Relationships: family members, close friendships, those with whom the employee has a romantic relationship, those with whom the employee has business or financial dealings, and those with whom the employee has private interests that could improperly influence their decisions (e.g. neighbors, estranged relationships). 3. Misuse of Authority: An exercise of authority that is intended to induce an unjust advantage that is otherwise not permitted or afforded (e.g., accessing confidential information for personal use). D. Procedures: 1. Employees will not engage in misuse of authority. This may include, but is not limited to: a. Unnecessarily granting themselves access to private situations, absent legitimate justification (e.g., purposeless presence at a scene involving a nude patient). b. Using or permitting the use of their authority in a manner that is intended to induce another person to provide a benefit to the employee or other close personal relationships. Reviewed: 07/19/2023 Revised: 01/19/2024 Rescinds: 09/12/2013 Effective: 02/08/2024 2.10 Page 1 of 2  SHERIFF’S POLICY MANUAL c. Leveraging circumstances to take unreasonable advantage of a person’s lack of understanding (e.g., convincing a complainant to sign a waiver of prosecution to avoid further investigation of the crime). 2. Employees will not engage in abuse of authority. This may include, but is not limited to: a. Using their authority or position for financial gain, to obtain privileges or favors, or to avoid the consequences of illegal acts. b. Delegating duties or requesting that another employee undertake personal services unrelated to their official duties. c. Permitting the use of any agency-issued identification card, badge, or official document for unlawful or unethical activity. E. Position/Identification Abuse: A. Employees are prohibited from using their official position, ID Card, badge, or business card for personal or financial gain, obtaining privileges not usually available to an individual, or avoiding the consequences of illegal acts. B. Employees will not lend their ID Card or badge to another person or permit it to be photographed or reproduced without the sheriff's approval. C. Employees will not permit or authorize the use of their name, photograph, or official title identifying them as BSO members in connection with testimonials or advertisements of a commodity or commercial enterprise or for any personal reasons without the sheriff or designee's approval. Reviewed: 07/19/2023 Revised: 01/19/2024 Rescinds: 09/12/2013 Effective: 02/08/2024 2.10 Page 2 of 2