POLICY:
All members of the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office shall conduct their personal and professional lives in accordance with existing laws as expected by law enforcement personnel and the citizens of this community.

PURPOSE:
To identify rules and regulations regarding the conduct of the Sheriff’s Office Members.

Rules and regulations are designed as guidelines for behavior in an organization. They are not intended to cover every case that may arise, but help establish a base by which individuals will make acceptable decisions in areas that may not be specifically addressed.

METHOD:
Obedience to orders: Members will obey any order lawfully issued by a supervisor or commander; not commit any act that constitutes a violation of any Office rules, regulations, procedures, responsibilities, instructions or written directive; not aid, abet or incite another in the violations of rules, duties, orders, policies, or procedures of the Office; not violate or conspire to violate city ordinances, county resolutions, state, or federal laws.  In the event of improper action or breach of discipline, it is understood that the employee is familiar with the rules, policies, procedures, responsibilities, instructions or orders.

Conduct Unbecoming: Members will conduct themselves at all times both on and off duty in a manner, which reflects most favorably on the Office.  Members will not engage in conduct prejudicial to good order and discipline or in conduct unbecoming a law enforcement officer.  Members will not participate in any immoral, indecent, lewd, or disorderly conduct.  Members will not utter any disrespectful, mutinous, insolent, abusive language or offensive gestures toward another member, supervisor, subordinate, staff officer or the public.

Soliciting of Bribes, Gift or Gratuity:  Members will not solicit, offer, or accept a bribe, gift or gratuity.  Members will not trade, barter, accept or purchase any item from any merchant at a rate lower than what is charged their regular customer, or what is considered to be below the fair market value of the item due to their position with the Sheriff’s Office. 

Seat Belt Requirement:  Members and their passengers shall wear seat belts while operating a Sheriff/County vehicle.

Use of Tobacco Products:  Tobacco products of any type shall not be used within any Sheriff/County facilities or vehicles.  Tobacco products of any type shall not be used when in the presence of private citizens and involved in the taking of information for a law enforcement function. Use of tobacco products of any type is allowed during approved breaks and meal periods and only in designated areas.

Use of Alcohol:  Alcoholic beverages shall not be consumed while on duty, either in or out of uniform, except in the performance of duty. Off duty members called to a law enforcement situation who have been drinking alcoholic beverages prior to responding will advise the requesting party of their condition.  No employee shall report for their regular duty assignment with ANY alcohol in their system.  Supervisors are authorized to initiate an inquiry based on reasonable suspicion to include a chemical breath test.  Members on duty or in uniform shall not enter liquor establishments except to perform valid law enforcement functions. 

Drugs/Narcotics:  Illegal drugs or narcotics shall not be used at any time.  If you are under prescribed medication, it is the duty of the employee to immediately advise his/her supervisor, a decision as to whether or not the member should continue on duty will be made at that time.

Conduct Toward Prisoners:  No employee shall fraternize with any person in the Garfield County Jail who is incarcerated and classified as an inmate, trustee, work release or person held for another law enforcement agency.  The term fraternizing shall define the following act or action, either verbal or non-verbal:

• Arranging dates or meetings
• Unauthorized written communication
• Any communication with sexual implications
• Special consideration or advantageous treatment
• Employees are forbidden to conduct a personal relationship with a released inmate for period of (90) days from inmate’s release date (see Fraternization with Inmates Policy and Procedure).

Criminal and/or Traffic Violations:  An employee charged with ANY criminal offense or traffic violation shall immediately report the violation to their supervisor.  The supervisor shall be responsible, through chain of command, to notify the Professional Standards Division Commander, Undersheriff or Sheriff.  Notification is required immediately after being charged.  It is the employee’s responsibility to keep their supervisor informed as to the status of the case.  Any employee who has their privilege to drive suspended, revoked or denied shall notify the Professional Standards Division Commander, Undersheriff or Sheriff immediately.  Those employees whose job description requires essential driving may be terminated if the suspension, revocation or denial affects their ability to perform their job function and /or creates a liability risk for the Sheriff’s Office and / or Garfield County.