Wiki source code of AB 05 Standards of Conduct
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1.1 | 1 | **Washington County Sheriff's Office** |
2 | |||
3 | **ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISION** | ||
4 | |||
5 | Policy Manual | ||
6 | |||
7 | |||
8 | Volume: AB | ||
9 | |||
10 | Employees Management | ||
11 | |||
12 | Chapter: 05 | ||
13 | |||
14 | Standards of Conduct | ||
15 | |||
16 | |||
17 | Replaces and/or Supersedes: | ||
18 | |||
19 | AB 05 11/23/2011 | ||
20 | |||
21 | Published: | ||
22 | |||
23 | 05/01/2013 | ||
24 | |||
25 | Review Date: | ||
26 | |||
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4.1 | 27 | 03/08/2022 |
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1.1 | 28 | |
29 | |||
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4.1 | 30 | Sheriff Nate Brooksby |
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1.1 | 31 | |
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4.1 | 32 | Undersheriff Barry Golding |
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1.1 | 33 | |
34 | |||
35 | __**TABLE OF CONTENTS**__ | ||
36 | |||
37 | AB 05_101 Definitions | ||
38 | |||
39 | AB 05_102 References | ||
40 | |||
41 | AB 05_103 General | ||
42 | |||
43 | AB 05_104 Abuse of Position | ||
44 | |||
45 | AB 05_105 Conflict of Interest | ||
46 | |||
47 | AB 05_106 Discrimination and Harassment | ||
48 | |||
49 | AB 05_107 Distribution of Information | ||
50 | |||
51 | AB 05_108 Duty to Know | ||
52 | |||
53 | AB 05_109 Gratuities | ||
54 | |||
55 | AB 05_110 Honesty and Lawfulness | ||
56 | |||
57 | AB 05_111 Impairment | ||
58 | |||
59 | AB 05_112 Information Technology | ||
60 | |||
61 | AB 05_113 Insubordination | ||
62 | |||
63 | AB 05_114 Interaction & Communication | ||
64 | |||
65 | AB 05_115 Interfering With Official Business | ||
66 | |||
67 | AB 05_116 Performance of Duty | ||
68 | |||
69 | AB 05_117 Personal Responsibility | ||
70 | |||
71 | AB 05_118 Political Activity | ||
72 | |||
73 | AB 05_119 Prohibited Association | ||
74 | |||
75 | AB 05_120 Public Image | ||
76 | |||
77 | AB 05_121 Public Relations | ||
78 | |||
79 | AB 05_122 Purchases | ||
80 | |||
81 | AB 05_123 Safety and Security | ||
82 | |||
83 | AB 05_124 Smoking | ||
84 | |||
85 | AB 05_125 Use and Care of Property and Equipment | ||
86 | |||
87 | AB 05_126 Workplace Violence | ||
88 | |||
89 | AB 05_127 Violation Examples | ||
90 | |||
91 | |||
92 | **AB 05_101 __DEFINITIONS__** | ||
93 | |||
94 | 1. WCSO: Washington County Sheriff's Office | ||
95 | 1. PCF: Purgatory Correctional Facility | ||
96 | 1. GRAMA: Government Records Access and Management Act | ||
97 | 1. Impaired: Intoxicated, under the influence of any controlled or otherwise mind or body-altering substance, or in any otherwise diminished physical or mental capacity. | ||
98 | 1. Offender: A person that is an arrestee, an inmate, a probationer, a parolee, or a notorious repeat arrestee even if not currently incarcerated. | ||
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2.1 | 99 | 1. (% style="font-weight:normal" %)Speech: Any communication, whether verbal, written, or electronic made by or on behalf of an individual. |
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1.1 | 100 | |
101 | **AB 05_102 __REFERENCES__** | ||
102 | |||
103 | 1. Utah Counties Insurance Pool: ML-IV.A.9. | ||
104 | |||
105 | **AB 05_103 __GENERAL__** | ||
106 | |||
107 | 1. Policy: | ||
108 | 11. The WCSO shall provide written standards of conduct to regulate employee behavior and actions. | ||
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2.4 | 109 | 11. When employees violate standards of conduct they should expect to be confronted and receive counseling, formal corrective action, or discipline. For corrective action and discipline guidelines, refer to policy: [[AB 10 Corrective Action and Discipline>>AB 10 Corrective Action and Discipline]]. |
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1.1 | 110 | 1. Rationale: |
111 | 11. Rules and regulations are necessary to govern employee conduct, to provide fair notice of required and prohibited conduct, and to serve as a basis for disciplinary action. | ||
112 | |||
113 | **AB 05_104 __ABUSE OF POSITION__** | ||
114 | |||
115 | 1. Policy: | ||
116 | 11. Employees shall not use their positions to illegally, improperly, or unethically gain special privilege; | ||
117 | 1. Rationale: | ||
118 | 11. Abuse of position to gain special privilege, even if not a violation of law, may undermine public confidence and trust. | ||
119 | |||
120 | **AB 05_105 __CONFLICT OF INTEREST__** | ||
121 | |||
122 | 1. Policy: | ||
123 | 11. Employees shall not engage in employment, conduct, or activity which results in a conflict of interest prohibited by law or WCSO policy. Prohibited conflicts of interest include, but are not limited to: | ||
124 | 111. Unauthorized disclosure of confidential information; | ||
125 | 111. Improper acceptance of gifts or gratuities; | ||
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3.1 | 126 | 111. Unauthorized secondary employment (reference policy: [[AB 03 Secondary Employment>>AB 03 Secondary Employment]]); |
127 | 111. Unlawful business interests; and | ||
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1.1 | 128 | 111. Coercion or encouragement of others to violate provisions of this policy. |
129 | 11. Employees who are unsure of whether proposed actions or conduct would amount to a conflict of interest are required to request official approval before engaging in questionable actions. | ||
130 | 1. Rationale: | ||
131 | 11. Employees are officials of government and as such must avoid even the appearance of conflicts of interest to safeguard public confidence. Engaging in conduct which involves a conflict of interest may undermine public confidence and trust. | ||
132 | 11. When conflicts of interests occur between an employee's private rights as a citizen and the privileged rights attributed to the employee's position with the WCSO, management shall attempt to bring about a reasonable balance. | ||
133 | 11. Employees may not always be able to determine whether actions create a conflict of interest. | ||
134 | |||
135 | **AB 05_106 __DISCRIMINATION AND HARASSMENT__** | ||
136 | |||
137 | 1. Policy: | ||
138 | 11. Current Washington County policies and procedures shall be followed. | ||
139 | 11. Employees shall not engage in discrimination or harassment (including behaviors that could reasonably be construed or perceived by another as hostile, offensive, or intimidating) based on race, color, national origin, religion, qualified disability, gender, genetic information, or age as protected by law. | ||
140 | 1. Rationale: | ||
141 | 11. Discrimination by employees must be prohibited to: | ||
142 | 111. Ensure fundamental fairness and equal protection under the law; | ||
143 | 111. Avoid loss of public confidence; and | ||
144 | 111. Comply with federal, state, and local laws and regulations. | ||
145 | 11. It is not the intent to encroach on free speech or to enforce or advocate so-called "political correctness." The intent is to protect the rights of others. | ||
146 | 11. Equal protection of the law does not mean that all employees or offenders will be treated exactly the same; circumstances, histories, behaviors, and other factors may vary. Employees and offenders are entitled to equal protection of the law, not equal results. | ||
147 | 11. It is management's right and responsibility to channel, control, and otherwise prohibit employee behavior or conduct that has the potential to cause employer liability or disruption in the work force or to subject management to civil liability for violation of a member's civil rights. On-the-job or job-related harassment is a serious violation of an employee's or potential employee's civil rights. Civil courts hold employers and employees highly accountable and liable for controlling behavior and conduct in these areas. | ||
148 | |||
149 | **AB 05_107 __DISTRIBUTION OF INFORMATION__** | ||
150 | |||
151 | 1. Policy: | ||
152 | 11. Without authorization via policy, official WCSO assignment, or approval from the Sheriff, employees shall not: | ||
153 | 111. Discuss or distribute information obtained from another employee's personnel file or any other confidential information pertaining to another WCSO employee; | ||
154 | 111. Distribute or post any written or printed material inside PCF; or | ||
155 | 111. Intentionally remove, alter, deface, obliterate, tear down, or destroy any official proclamation, advertisement, notice, or posted information of the United States, State of Utah, Washington County, WCSO, or PCF. | ||
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1.2 | 156 | 1. Rationale: |
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1.1 | 157 | 11. The unauthorized discussion or distribution of private information may subject the individuals involved and the WCSO to criminal and civil liability. |
158 | |||
159 | **AB 05_108 __DUTY TO KNOW__** | ||
160 | |||
161 | 1. Policy: | ||
162 | 11. Employees shall display an affirmative and consistent effort to observe and comply with the directives, rules, policies, procedures, practices, and traditions established for the effective, efficient, and safe operations of the WCSO. This applies to policies, procedures, and practices that are written as well as those established by acceptable past patterns or practices. | ||
163 | 1. Rationale: | ||
164 | 11. Policies, procedures, and practices are management's tools to achieve overall efficiency and effectiveness in day-to-day operations and decision making. They are designed to communicate management's intent, and to help management focus its resources. Thus, failure to follow policies, procedures, and practices would result in a loss of efficiency and effectiveness. | ||
165 | |||
166 | **AB 05_109 __GRATUITIES__** | ||
167 | |||
168 | 1. Policy: | ||
169 | 11. Employees may accept gifts and gratuities from the private sector and others outside the WCSO as long as: | ||
170 | 111. The cash value of such gifts does not exceed the limits set by state statute or county ordinances or regulations; and | ||
171 | 111. The gift or gratuity is traditional, customary, or generally provided by the outside party (e.g., logo pens, calendars, note pads, date books, and other such items of modest value); or | ||
172 | 111. The gift or gratuity is an award publicly presented in recognition of public service. | ||
173 | 1. Rationale: | ||
174 | 11. Acceptance of excessive gifts or gratuities may undermine public confidence and trust. | ||
175 | |||
176 | **AB 05_110 __HONESTY AND LAWFULNESS__** | ||
177 | |||
178 | 1. Policy: | ||
179 | 11. Employees shall conduct themselves in an honest and lawful manner on and off duty. | ||
180 | 11. Employees, while on or off duty, shall obey the Constitutional, criminal, civil, and all other applicable laws of the government. | ||
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4.1 | 181 | 11. While on duty, employees shall be rigorously honest in all dealings except when the performance of duty requires otherwise. |
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1.1 | 182 | 11. Employees, while off duty, shall not coerce, manipulate, or attempt to influence others when such actions would reasonably be expected to benefit the employee. Such actions may be performed on duty only if duty requires. |
183 | 11. While off duty, employees shall not lie, give misleading information, or falsify written or verbal communications in official reports or in their actions with another person or organization when it is reasonable to expect that such information may be relied upon because of the employee's position or affiliation with the WCSO. | ||
184 | 11. During internal investigations, employees must cooperate fully and with complete honesty. Failure to answer questions, other obstruction, or dishonesty may result in termination. | ||
185 | 11. During internal investigations, employees who fail to answer questions or who answer questions untruthfully after being given immunity from criminal prosecution shall be terminated. | ||
186 | 11. Employees shall not knowingly or intentionally: | ||
187 | 111. Falsify any official report or enter or cause to be entered any inaccurate, false, or misleading information in any log, book, record, or register; | ||
188 | 111. Prepare, sign, or submit a false report, statement, or affidavit; or | ||
189 | 111. Modify a document to alter correct and accurate information. | ||
190 | 11. Employees may edit or correct an inaccurate or incomplete document to make it accurate or complete. | ||
191 | 11. A superior officer may order a subordinate to edit or otherwise modify a document if in the judgment of the superior officer the original information is inaccurate, incomplete, or misleading. | ||
192 | 1. Rationale: | ||
193 | 11. Employees are a part of the law enforcement/criminal justice system. As such, employees are held to a higher standard to ensure that their conduct is honest and lawful. Dishonest or unlawful behavior of employees undermines public confidence and trust. | ||
194 | 11. It is not the intent to prohibit the use of inaccurate, false, or misleading information when necessary in the performance of duty. | ||
195 | |||
196 | **AB 05_111 __IMPAIRMENT__** | ||
197 | |||
198 | 1. Policy: | ||
199 | 11. Current Washington County policies and procedures shall be followed. | ||
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4.1 | 200 | 11. The WCSO maintains a zero-tolerance drug and alcohol policy. While in uniform or on duty, employees shall not consume any drug that may cause impairment. Impairment shall not be justified even if it is the result of using legal prescription or over-the-counter drugs. |
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1.1 | 201 | 11. Employees shall not report for duty when alcohol or drugs that may cause impairment have been consumed within the prior eight hours or while still under the effects of alcohol or drugs. |
202 | 11. Employees shall not unlawfully possess, sell, consume, use, or assist with the possession, selling, consumption, or use of any drug on duty or off duty. | ||
203 | 11. The on-duty supervisor shall make immediate contact with an employee suspected of impairment for the purpose of making further assessment of the employee's condition. | ||
204 | 11. The on-duty supervisor shall have a suspected employee submit to testing via an established local testing facility. The employee shall be provided a ride and not be allowed to drive to this location. If the employee refuses to be tested, the refusal shall subject the employee to a charge of insubordination and disciplinary action which may include termination. | ||
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4.1 | 205 | 11. Supervisors shall relieve from duty any employee who, after initial investigation, is reasonably believed to be impaired while on duty. The matter must be handled formally. No supervisor has the authority to bypass or fail to apply the requirements regarding impairment. |
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1.1 | 206 | 11. An impaired employee shall not be allowed to drive and may be provided a ride home if they cannot arrange for their own ride. |
207 | 1. Rationale: | ||
208 | 11. Employees involved with legal drugs in an improper manner or illegal drugs subject the WCSO to severe public criticism and damage to the image of the WCSO. Such conduct may impair an employee's ability to evaluate critical situations and make judgments that affect public confidence and often citizen's lives, liberties, and safety. | ||
209 | |||
210 | **AB 05_112 __INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY__** | ||
211 | |||
212 | 1. Policy: | ||
213 | 11. Current Washington County policies and procedures shall be followed. | ||
214 | |||
215 | **AB 05_113 __INSUBORDINATION__** | ||
216 | |||
217 | 1. Policy: | ||
218 | 11. Employees shall observe, obey, and subordinate their personal preferences to the lawful verbal and written rules, duties, policies, procedures, and practices of the WCSO. Lawful and reasonable directions, instructions, and orders of a superior officer shall be obeyed. Direct, tacit, or constructive refusal to do so is insubordination. | ||
219 | 11. Employees shall not incite, induce, or encourage other members to be insubordinate. Inciting, inducing, or encouraging insubordination shall be regarded as insubordination. | ||
220 | 11. When disagreements between a supervisor and an employee occur over lawful orders or directives, the supervisor has the right to expect the employee to follow the accepted labor principle of "obey now and grieve later." | ||
221 | 11. Employees may challenge and, if necessary, disobey unlawful, senseless, arbitrary, capricious, or clearly unreasonable commands or directives in order to avoid: | ||
222 | 111. Violating clearly established law; or | ||
223 | 111. A serious risk to safety or security. | ||
224 | 11. It shall not be insubordination to respectfully: | ||
225 | 111. Ask for clarification; | ||
226 | 111. Call attention to a possible conflict with laws, ordinances, or established policy; | ||
227 | 111. Recommend an alternate approach; or | ||
228 | 111. Refuse to answer a question which could be incriminating, unless the employee is assured that any information obtained may not later be used in a criminal prosecution (reference section: HONESTY AND LAWFULNESS) | ||
229 | 11. It shall be considered insubordination to: | ||
230 | 111. Refuse to answer a job-related question from a superior officer; or | ||
231 | 111. Respond to questions with false, dishonest, deceptive, or misleading answers. | ||
232 | 1. Rationale: | ||
233 | 11. Willful or intentional disregard of lawful and reasonable directions, instructions, or orders may undermine the order, discipline, security, and safety of the WCSO. | ||
234 | 11. In exchange for the privilege of employment and paid compensation, management has the right to expect employees to perform the duties and tasks of their positions or any other tasks lawfully assigned and to achieve effective and efficient performance results. | ||
235 | |||
236 | **AB 05_114 __INTERACTION AND COMMUNICATION__** | ||
237 | |||
238 | 1. Policy: | ||
239 | 11. Employees shall not engage in speech that violates privacy statutes of the State. | ||
240 | 11. Employees shall not publicly ridicule the administration or other members of the WCSO. | ||
241 | 11. Employees shall not utter slander or create/publish libel regarding the administration or employees of the WCSO or officials of Washington County. | ||
242 | 11. While on duty, employees shall display courtesy and respect in words, deeds, gestures, and actions towards superior officers, subordinates, co-workers, and the general public. | ||
243 | 11. Criticisms by a supervisor of an employee or an employee's performance shall be made directly to the subordinate and, when possible, in a private setting. | ||
244 | 11. Legitimate avenues (as in section: AB 05_114.B.2) shall be available to employees to report any policies, practices, or actions which they believe: | ||
245 | 111. Are unlawful; | ||
246 | 111. Result in mismanagement or waste of budget resources; or | ||
247 | 111. Are otherwise contrary to the welfare or interests of the WCSO. | ||
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2.1 | 248 | 11. ((( |
249 | (% style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-style: normal" %) | ||
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4.1 | 250 | (% style="font-weight:normal" %)To meet the safety, performance, and public-trust needs of the WCSO, the following are prohibited unless the speech is otherwise protected: |
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2.1 | 251 | |
252 | 1. (% style="font-weight:normal" %)Speech or expression made pursuant to an official duty that tends to compromise or damage the mission, function, reputation or professionalism of the Washington County Sheriff's Office or its employees. | ||
253 | 1. (% style="font-weight:normal" %)Speech or expression that, while not made pursuant to an official duty, is significantly linked to, or related to, the Washington County Sheriff's Office and tends to compromise or damage the mission, function, reputation or professionalism of the Washington County Sheriff's Office or its employees. | ||
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2.2 | 254 | 1. (% style="font-weight:normal" %)Speech or expression that could reasonably be foreseen as having a negative impact on the credibility of the employee as a witness. For example, posting statements or expressions to a website that glorify or endorse dishonesty, unlawful discrimination or illegal behavior. |
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2.1 | 255 | 1. (% style="font-weight:normal" %)Speech or expression of any form that could reasonably be foreseen as having a negative impact on the safety of the employees of the WCSO. |
256 | 1. (% style="font-weight:normal" %)Speech or expression that is contrary to the canons of the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics as adopted by the Washington County Sheriff's Office. | ||
257 | 1. (% style="font-weight:normal" %)Use of or disclosure, through whatever means, of any information, photograph, video or other recording obtained or accessible as a result of employment with the Office for financial or personal gain, or any disclosure of such materials without the express authorization of the Sheriff or the authorized designee (Utah Code 67-16-4). | ||
258 | 1. (% style="font-weight:normal" %)Other than Sheriff's Office sanctioned events (Swearing-Ins, Deputy of the Quarter, academy graduations, etc), posting, transmitting or disseminating any photographs, video or audio recordings, likeness or images of Office logos, emblems, uniforms, badges, marked vehicles, equipment or other material that specifically identifies the Washington County Sheriff's Office on any personal or social networking or other website or web page, without the express authorization of the Sheriff. | ||
259 | 1. (% style="font-weight:normal" %)Employees must take reasonable and prompt action to remove any content, including content posted by others, that is in violation of this policy from any web page or website maintained by the employee (e.g. social or personal website). | ||
260 | ))) | ||
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1.1 | 261 | 1. Rationale: |
262 | 11. It is essential to effective management to maintain public confidence and employee morale through proper interaction and communication. | ||
263 | 11. Restrictions on communication are balanced by employees' ability to bring problems to the attention of the Washington County Human Resource Department, Washington County Attorney, Washington County Commission, or State of Utah, or to otherwise lawfully access "whistle blower" laws. | ||
264 | 11. The purpose of supervisory positions is to reasonably ensure that the mission, goals, and directives of the WCSO are carried out in an efficient, effective, and safe manner as well as to provide accountability for performance. Management requires subordinates to display respect and courtesy to higher positions because it provides a sense of order. | ||
265 | 11. The willingness and ability of an employee to display respect and courtesy to another is a reasonable assessment of the employee's capabilities to set aside personal feelings and priorities when dealing with citizens. | ||
266 | |||
267 | **AB 05_115 __INTERFERING WITH OFFICIAL BUSINESS__** | ||
268 | |||
269 | 1. Policy: | ||
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4.1 | 270 | 11. Employees shall not engage in any conduct which interferes with the official business of the WCSO. |
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1.1 | 271 | 1. Rationale: |
272 | 11. WCSO employees are a part of the law enforcement/criminal justice system of the state. As such, employees bear a higher duty to ensure that their conduct supports, rather than interferes with, the official business of the WCSO. | ||
273 | |||
274 | **AB 05_116 __PERFORMANCE OF DUTY__** | ||
275 | |||
276 | 1. Policy: | ||
277 | 11. Employees shall: | ||
278 | 111. Display competent performance and consistently achieve competent performance results on assigned or assumed job responsibilities, duties, and tasks. The focus shall be on the performance results or outcome; not on the individual's characteristics. Employees shall perform duties competently and as required by supervisors and WCSO policies and procedures; | ||
279 | 111. Give a full day's work for a full day's pay and not establish patterns of nonproductive work time. | ||
280 | 111. Report to work and while working remain mentally, physically, and emotionally ready to assume and competently perform all their responsibilities; | ||
281 | 111. Seek affirmative ways to cooperate and work with other employees, other public officials, and members of any organization with whom the employees or the WCSO needs to have a good working relationship in order to deliver lawful, effective, efficient, and safe services; | ||
282 | 111. In the line of duty, come to the aid of another employee when a request or need is made known; and | ||
283 | 111. Complete all mandatory training. | ||
284 | 11. Supervisors shall supervise in a clear, confident, and competent manner. | ||
285 | 11. Employees shall not: | ||
286 | 111. Sleep on duty; | ||
287 | 111. Bring discredit on the WCSO or its members by being negligent in the performance of duties; | ||
288 | 111. Establish unapproved patterns of absenteeism; or | ||
289 | 111. Knowingly fail to properly perform a duty imposed by law or regulation or which is clearly inherent in an assignment. | ||
290 | 1. Rationale: | ||
291 | 11. Each policy and procedure of the WCSO has been established to further the legitimate interests of the WCSO. Failure to satisfactorily carry out those requirements may jeopardize the interests of the WCSO and the safety and security of employees, offenders, and the general public. | ||
292 | 11. Substandard performance may jeopardize citizen liberties and physical safety. When this occurs, the WCSO runs the risk of incurring severe criticism, the loss of public trust, and civil liability. | ||
293 | 11. Although public safety work is typically reactive in nature, a large portion of self-initiated work time can be spent performing non-reactive work. Self-initiated work periods provide the greatest opportunities to effectively and efficiently deliver services and perform preventive and deterrent services. The concept of a full day's work for a full day's pay does not mean that employees are expected to have identical levels of work from one day to the next. However, an analysis of data on a monthly, quarterly, semiannual, or annual period provides a descriptive picture of the amount and type of work that can be reasonably expected from members who are truly giving a full effort. | ||
294 | 11. Effective, efficient, and safe public service depends on employees being ready to perform competently at a moment's notice. It is reasonable and logical to assume that employees who are physically and mentally ready to perform will be better performers than those who are not as physically and mentally prepared. Employees who lack the physical and mental capabilities to assume the responsibilities and duties expected of their jobs may create a public safety hazard for themselves as well as others who may depend on their performance. | ||
295 | 11. The need to work in a cooperative manner with members of other agencies and public officials is self-evident. In today's society, the effective, efficient, and safe delivery of public services requires a coordinated effort of all employees and public service agencies. | ||
296 | 11. The nature of public safety work frequently requires the support, assistance, and safety of other members. Knowing this support will be rendered in time of need promotes and maintains morale and a sense of well-being among all employees. | ||
297 | 11. Failure to complete mandatory training could jeopardize the employee's certification status and ability to perform duties. | ||
298 | 11. Absenteeism may affect the effective, efficient, and safe operations of the WCSO. The nature of public safety/security work requires employees capable and ready to handle any established or expected service demanded by the public. Employees have specialized and specific training that cannot be easily replaced or substituted by other persons. Additionally, replacement or substitutions place extra demands upon management. | ||
299 | 11. Knowledge, skill, and attitude are useless if the employee is unable to apply them in a productive manner. | ||
300 | |||
301 | **AB 05_117 __PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY__** | ||
302 | |||
303 | 1. Policy: | ||
304 | 11. Current Washington County policies and procedures shall be followed in regards to garnishments. | ||
305 | 11. Employees shall not willfully fail to meet their financial obligations and other personal responsibilities. | ||
306 | 11. Using, threatening, or attempting to use official, political, or other influence to avoid payment of financial obligations is prohibited as major misconduct. | ||
307 | 1. Rationale: | ||
308 | 11. Willful failure to meet financial obligations may bring discredit to Washington County and the WCSO and may place the employee at risk of civil action, including garnishment of wages. | ||
309 | 11. It is not the intent to punish employees because of financial problems, especially when debts result from exigent circumstances or when a good-faith effort is being made to satisfy the obligations. However, the WCSO does not condone willful failure to satisfy financial obligations. | ||
310 | |||
311 | **AB 05_118 __POLITICAL ACTIVITY__** | ||
312 | |||
313 | 1. Policy: | ||
314 | 11. Current Washington County policies and procedures shall be followed. | ||
315 | |||
316 | **AB 05_119 __PROHIBITED ASSOCIATION__** | ||
317 | |||
318 | 1. Policy: | ||
319 | 11. Employees shall interact in a friendly and business-like manner in their dealings with offenders but shall not fraternize or develop personal relationships with offenders. Employees should be brief, polite, and to the point when communicating with offenders and offender family members. | ||
320 | 11. Employees should refrain from social or business interactions with offenders or offenders' immediate family members. | ||
321 | 11. Employees shall avoid off duty interaction with offenders or other persons when such relationships would tend to impair the reputation of the employee or the WCSO. | ||
322 | 11. Employees shall avoid establishments where it is reasonable to believe illegal activities occur, except while in the line of duty. | ||
323 | 11. It is the duty of each employee who wishes clarification concerning a particular situation to make a written request to their division chief deputy. Exceptions must be approved in writing by the chief deputy. Whenever possible, the inquiry or approval request should be made prior to the interaction in question. If prior inquiry or approval is not possible, the employee shall notify their immediate supervisor as soon as possible. | ||
324 | 11. Employees shall not: | ||
325 | 111. Discuss offenders' cases with them except when required as a part of job duties; | ||
326 | 111. Compromise security as a result of communication or interaction with offenders; | ||
327 | 111. Become overly and unnecessarily familiar with offenders beyond the extent required to properly perform job requirements; | ||
328 | 111. Solicit or accept loans, gifts, property, gratuities, or other favors from offenders; | ||
329 | 111. Loan money or other property to offenders, or grant special favors not authorized by WCSO policy; | ||
330 | 111. Purchase or bargain for items belonging to offenders; nor shall they sell items to offenders; | ||
331 | 111. Discuss with an offender the actions of any other employee except when required as a part of job duties or policy; | ||
332 | 111. Discuss official or personal business with offenders and shall exercise proper caution at all times concerning what is said, to whom it is said, and who can overhear; or | ||
333 | 111. Be permitted to take offenders out of PCF for any reason except as authorized by policy or PCF administration. | ||
334 | 11. Other prohibited conduct includes, but is not limited to: | ||
335 | 111. Sexual or other intimate contacts, discussions, or relationships with offenders; | ||
336 | 111. An offender or offender's immediate family member living in an employee's personal residence; | ||
337 | 111. An offender living in any rental property belonging to an employee; | ||
338 | 111. Any business dealings or arrangements between an employee and an offender or an offender's immediate family. | ||
339 | 111. Sponsoring an offender for special activities other than PCF sponsored and approved activities (e.g., home visits or outings); and | ||
340 | 111. Supervising or sponsoring an offender or employing an offender for personal gain or benefit absent prior written authorization from the division chief deputy (e.g., work projects on personal property with or without pay or home visits). | ||
341 | 1. Rationale: | ||
342 | 11. Employees of the WCSO are part of the law enforcement/criminal justice system of the State of Utah. Thus, employee conduct and association with others are subject to greater scrutiny. | ||
343 | 11. If employees associate with offenders or frequent establishments which are hangouts for the criminal element, there is an increased risk that: | ||
344 | 111. The employee or the legitimate interests of the WCSO may be compromised; and | ||
345 | 111. Public confidence and trust in the WCSO and its employees may be adversely affected. | ||
346 | 11. It is not the intention of these rules to unnecessarily interfere with or undermine family relationships, interaction with neighbors, memberships in legitimate social clubs, or other lawful activities. | ||
347 | 11. These rules are not intended to prevent employees from: | ||
348 | 111. Legitimate interaction with their own family members who are offenders or ex-offenders; | ||
349 | 111. Attending church meetings, service club meetings, or other legitimate organizations where offenders or ex-offenders are members or are in attendance; | ||
350 | 111. Shopping at licensed commercial establishments where an offender or ex-offender is employed; | ||
351 | 111. Purchasing offender-produced goods at legitimate retail outlets; or | ||
352 | 111. Other legitimate conduct or interaction which may place them in contact with offenders or ex-offenders. | ||
353 | 11. Rules governing employee relationships and interaction with offenders cannot anticipate every situation. Some relationships which appear to violate the rules may not actually violate legitimate interests of the WCSO. Therefore, the division chief deputy may approve exceptions (in writing) on a case-by-case basis after full disclosure of all relevant facts. | ||
354 | |||
355 | **AB 05_120 __PUBLIC IMAGE__** | ||
356 | |||
357 | 1. Policy: | ||
358 | 11. Employees shall conduct themselves on duty and off duty in a manner that does not damage or have the probable expectation, according to a reasonable person, of damaging or bringing the public image, integrity, or reputation of the WCSO into discredit or disrepute. | ||
359 | 1. Rationale: | ||
360 | 11. Behavior that may not be considered wrong in private employment could be wrong in the public sector because of the nature of the public service mission. The WCSO recognizes its responsibility to balance standards of conduct designed to promote public trust while at the same time avoiding unnecessary infringements on the employee's rights. Employees who wish to hold the honor of a public position and enjoy the privileges of public trust share an affirmative responsibility to conduct themselves, on duty as well as off duty, in a manner that does not bring public image or trust into question. The employee's right to privacy does not create an obligation on management to fulfill those rights at the expense of effective, efficient, or safe operations of the WCSO. | ||
361 | |||
362 | **AB 05_121 __PUBLIC RELATIONS__** | ||
363 | |||
364 | 1. Policy: | ||
365 | 11. Employees shall not publish or otherwise release information in violation of any applicable law, policy; or practice. | ||
366 | 11. Employees shall receive approval from their division chief deputy prior to representing the WCSO in actions of public speaking or releasing information. | ||
367 | 1. Rationale: | ||
368 | 11. The WCSO has a legitimate interest in ensuring that when employees speak as representatives of the WCSO that their utterances are consistent with the positions, policies, and procedures of the WCSO in order to avoid misinforming the public by offering individual opinions or philosophies as official viewpoints. | ||
369 | 11. It is not the intent of this section to: | ||
370 | 111. Prohibit employees from legitimate and ethical utterances relative to their work experiences; or | ||
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4.1 | 371 | 111. Require employees to gain official permission to express views that are clearly represented as their own and which do not otherwise violate the law or the policies or procedures of the WCSO. |
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1.1 | 372 | |
373 | **AB 05_122 __PURCHASES__** | ||
374 | |||
375 | 1. Policy: | ||
376 | 11. Employees shall not incur a liability chargeable against the WCSO without proper authorization. | ||
377 | 11. When authorized purchases are made, receipts or invoices shall be obtained on each purchase, signed by the employee making the purchase, and turned in to the proper authority in a timely manner. | ||
378 | 1. Rationale: | ||
379 | 11. Unauthorized or improper financial transactions may display an appearance of intentional deceit or dishonesty. Such actions could jeopardize public confidence and trust. | ||
380 | |||
381 | **AB 05_123 __SAFETY AND SECURITY__** | ||
382 | |||
383 | 1. Policy: | ||
384 | 11. Employees shall not unlawfully behave in a manner that potentially endangers or injures themselves, property, or another person. | ||
385 | 11. Employees shall not engage in any conduct which jeopardizes the security or safety of the PCF, public, employees, or offenders. The exception to this is when attempting to guard against a greater risk. | ||
386 | 11. Endangering conduct includes, but is not limited to: | ||
387 | 111. Improper use of equipment, materials, or supplies in a dangerous or reckless manner; | ||
388 | 111. Creating or contributing to unsanitary or unsafe conditions; | ||
389 | 111. Misuse or unauthorized use of official WCSO or PCF identification including (but not limited to) badges, picture identification, or uniform patches; and | ||
390 | 111. Bringing into or taking from PCF any unauthorized items. | ||
391 | 1. Rationale: | ||
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4.1 | 392 | 11. Safe behavior in public service work is paramount due to the level of public trust and the nature of the equipment involved (e.g., firearms, motor vehicles, impact tools, chemicals, etc.). Unsafe behavior and unsafe use and handling of equipment significantly increase the risk of injuries to citizens and personnel and it increases liability. |
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1.1 | 393 | 11. Ensuring public safety involves protecting the general public, employees, and offenders. |
394 | |||
395 | **AB 05_124 __SMOKING__** | ||
396 | |||
397 | 1. Policy: | ||
398 | 11. Current Washington County policies and procedures shall be followed. | ||
399 | |||
400 | **AB 05_125 __USE AND CARE OF PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT__** | ||
401 | |||
402 | 1. Policy: | ||
403 | 11. Employees are accountable for the proper use and care of property or equipment assigned to them, used by them, or under their direct care. | ||
404 | 1. Rationale: | ||
405 | 11. Management has the specific right to and inherent interest in assuring the public that equipment will be cared for and used in an effective, efficient, and safe manner. Part of this responsibility includes designating what WCSO equipment or property will be used, how it will be used and cared for, and who may use it. | ||
406 | |||
407 | **AB 05_126 __WORKPLACE VIOLENCE__** | ||
408 | |||
409 | 1. Policy: | ||
410 | 11. Current Washington County policies and procedures shall be followed. | ||
411 | |||
412 | **AB 05_127 __VIOLATION EXAMPLES__** | ||
413 | |||
414 | Violating a standard of conduct has serious consequences for staff. Standards are concepts and are often subject to individual interpretation which in turn is heavily influenced by individual motives and desires. Therefore, non-exclusive examples of violations should help those staff members with the ability and desire to understand and follow the rules. Staff who do not understand a standard's meaning or management's intent are responsible for contacting a supervisor for clarification. Staff who fail to clarify adopted standards may not use lack of understanding as a defense if charged with violation of a standard. The following examples do not represent a complete list: | ||
415 | |||
416 | 1. Abuse of Position: | ||
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4.1 | 417 | 11. Using one's position for entrance into places of amusement, for free meals, drinks, or other gratuities. |
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1.1 | 418 | 1. Conflict of Interest: |
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4.1 | 419 | 11. Accepting gratuities from any business or person, especially when the giver has, or has the potential of, personal service to be gained from providing the gratuities. |
420 | 11. Failing to perform a duty because of personal interests (e.g., citing a relative, citing an officer, investigating a case because of its incriminating effect on a friend, relative, etc.). | ||
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1.1 | 421 | 11. "Fixing" or attempting to have "fixed" a citation. A supervisor who uses discretion to void a citation that was written contrary to departmental policies or enforcement priorities is not violating this standard provided the facts are properly documented and the employee violating the policy or procedure is properly notified and addressed. |
422 | 11. Having a substantial interest in a business that does business with the employing governing body. | ||
423 | 11. Owning (in whole or in part) or working for a business that provides a service or product that conflicts with or jeopardizes the mission, goals, or objectives of the WCSO. | ||
424 | 11. Performing a secondary job or private work while on duty, excluding break times, such as making business contacts, conducting follow-ups on outside work, delivering correspondence, or selling. | ||
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4.1 | 425 | 11. Substandard performance of work for the WCSO as a result of secondary employment. |
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1.1 | 426 | 11. Providing a secondary employer or employees of a secondary employer with special governmental services or treatment. |
427 | 11. Recommending the private or professional services of an attorney, bondsman, wrecker driver, hospital, doctor, architect, engineer, contractor, builder, etc. to a public person or offender. | ||
428 | 11. Soliciting for any purpose on WCSO premises without proper authorization. | ||
429 | 11. Supervisors who place themselves in a financial obligation to a subordinate. | ||
430 | 11. Using information gained from WCSO duties for personal gain. | ||
431 | 1. Discrimination and Harassment: | ||
432 | 11. A member observing or condoning, through actions or inactions, prohibited harassment by failing to properly report it to designated management authorities. This is particularly serious if a supervisor is found in violation. | ||
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4.1 | 433 | 11. A supervisor gives an atypical amount of preferential or non-preferential job assignments or favorable or unfavorable considerations to an employee with whom a past personal relationship existed. |
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1.1 | 434 | 11. Continually asking an employee for dates once that employee has expressed no interest in starting or continuing a personal relationship. |
435 | 11. Failing to demonstrate positive efforts to get along with a member of the opposite race, sex, religion, or national origin or refusing to work with such persons. | ||
436 | 11. Making slurs based on sex, race, religion, national origin, age, physical disabilities, sexual preference, or ethnic background to or about employees. | ||
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4.1 | 437 | 11. Posting derogatory graffiti, cartoons, or scripts on bulletin boards, computer screens, chalkboards, walls, locker rooms, or vehicles or failing to remove or arrange for the removal of such. |
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1.1 | 438 | 11. Telling sexual, racial, ethnic, national origin, religious, sexual preference, age, or handicap jokes or stories. |
439 | 11. Not patrolling in select neighborhoods of responsible areas. | ||
440 | 1. Distribution of Information: | ||
441 | 11. The unauthorized and unnecessary divulging of information, communications, or correspondence that identifies or suggests the identification of an investigator, informant, or undercover agent. | ||
442 | 11. Giving out unauthorized information or information in violation of policy to any person (e.g., news media, attorneys, bondsmen, parents, etc.). | ||
443 | 11. Releasing or providing access to administrative or public information and/or documents or records without complying with established administrative procedures or laws governing the release or controlled release of such information. | ||
444 | 1. Duty to Know: | ||
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4.1 | 445 | 11. Failing to know the information in operational manuals, files, and agency directives. |
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1.1 | 446 | 11. Establishing a pattern of deviation from directives that is significantly different from the compliance rates of other members. |
447 | 11. Failing to care for or protect the rights of all offenders when in the staff member's custody or when it is known, or should be known, that such rights are not being observed by others. | ||
448 | 1. Gratuities: | ||
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4.1 | 449 | 11. Accepting gratuities from any business or person, especially when the giver has, or has the potential of, personal service to gain from providing the gratuities. |
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1.1 | 450 | 1. Honesty and Lawfulness: |
451 | 11. Conducting a performance evaluation in a manner that does not comply with policies or the intent of the evaluation process. | ||
452 | 11. Covering up or purposefully failing to report damage or loss of equipment. | ||
453 | 11. Failing to conduct a professional investigation which results in an innocent person being prosecuted. | ||
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4.1 | 454 | 11. Falsifying a job application, activity record, activity report, attendance record, certification record, a public document, etc. |
455 | 11. Falsifying a sick leave report, workers' compensation, or accident claim. | ||
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1.1 | 456 | 11. Falsifying any report in part or whole. |
457 | 11. Giving untruthful or misleading statements or partial truths during a legal proceeding, agency investigation, or administrative proceeding. | ||
458 | 11. Making untruthful or misleading statements or partial truths about any employee, supervisor, or their operations. | ||
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4.1 | 459 | 11. Providing citizens with misleading or false information to avoid performance of duties or delivery of expected service. |
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1.1 | 460 | 11. Intentionally claiming higher than appropriate damage to property on an official report to boost higher insurance payments. |
461 | 11. Requesting others to change or withdraw a report or notice, or causing the delay of any official communications. | ||
462 | 11. Committing an unlawful search, seizure, or detention of another person or person's property. | ||
463 | 11. Committing non-exempted infractions of traffic codes (e.g., driving over the speed limit, failing to observe traffic control devices, parking in unauthorized locations, failing to wear seat belts, etc.). | ||
464 | 11. Inflicting or inciting punishment or mistreatment (physical or mental) upon a person in custody or detention. | ||
465 | 11. Using firearms that are unauthorized or using authorized firearms in a manner that is not authorized. | ||
466 | 11. Using excessive force to hold, effect an apprehension, arrest, or detain any person. | ||
467 | 11. Using prohibited devices, procedures, tactics, or techniques to effect a holding, apprehension, arrest, or detention of another. | ||
468 | 11. Non-exempted violations of law. | ||
469 | 1. Impairment: | ||
470 | 11. Involvement, either directly or indirectly, in the use, abuse possession, sale, or distribution of any illegal drug, controlled substance, or related paraphernalia. | ||
471 | 11. The continued taking of a prescribed drug once the medical reason for the drug is no longer valid. | ||
472 | 1. Information Technology: | ||
473 | 11. Neglecting duties or assignments due to excessive personal use of the internet. | ||
474 | 1. Insubordination: | ||
475 | 11. After being instructed to do so, not addressing a superior-ranked member by his or her title, particularly while in public. | ||
476 | 11. Being absent without leave (AWOL) for a scheduled reporting time or from an assigned duty. | ||
477 | 11. Deliberate defiance of management's legitimate exercise of its rights. | ||
478 | 11. Leaving an assignment or assigned duty area without permission of the supervisor in charge. | ||
479 | 11. Delaying response or not responding to a call that has a history of false alarms. | ||
480 | 11. Refusing to perform assigned work duties or tasks for the position being held. | ||
481 | 11. Refusing to submit to a lawful examination of body fluids or a chemical test when directed to do so by a supervisor. | ||
482 | 11. Refusing to subordinate personal preferences to a supervisor's lawful directives or work instructions. | ||
483 | 11. Refusing to work overtime in an emergency situation. | ||
484 | 11. Repeatedly being unable to be contacted for call-out when given standby notice. | ||
485 | 11. Not following the chain of command (i.e., going to a member of the administration before going to immediate supervisor). This rule does not apply when the person in the member's chain of command is or may be suspected of violating the employee's civil rights. | ||
486 | 11. Encouraging, inciting, or aiding others to act in an insubordinate manner. | ||
487 | 1. Interaction & Communication: | ||
488 | 11. Losing temper or composure and overreacting to another's verbal comments. | ||
489 | 11. Attempting to coerce, influence, or manipulate other persons. | ||
490 | 11. Failing to keep a superior officer in the direct chain of command informed of pertinent information that affects or has the probability of affecting effectiveness, efficiency, or safety. | ||
491 | 11. Using abusive language or gestures at, towards, or about a fellow employee. This is particularly serious if the fellow employee is a superior ranking officer and the language or gestures are used in the presence of other employees or made known to other employees or members of the Public. | ||
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4.1 | 492 | 11. Failing to seek affirmative ways to establish a working relationship with another employee, or a member of another organization when it is found that such failure resulted in the ineffective, inefficient, or unsafe performance of duties and responsibilities. |
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1.1 | 493 | 11. Refusing to turn over a scene, investigation, or incident to another agency that has greater or more appropriate jurisdiction. |
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4.1 | 494 | 11. Refusing to turn over the care of an injured victim to certified emergency medical personnel when no substantial evidence exists to doubt the personnel's ability to handle the victim competently. |
495 | 11. Threatening, intimidating, coercing, or interfering with the work performance of another. | ||
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1.1 | 496 | 11. A supervisor discussing a private conversation with another individual who has no business necessity to know about the conversation (the supervisor is required to inform the employee whether or not the conversation will be relayed to other parties as well as the business necessity for such action). |
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4.1 | 497 | 11. Criticisms that are directed at the employee and not the employee's performance or performance results. |
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1.1 | 498 | 11. Failing to find a private place to speak with an employee about performance problems or criticizing the employee or the employee's performance in front of others who have no need to know about the problems. |
499 | 11. Gossiping or condoning the continuation of gossip by others about another. | ||
500 | 11. Having a problem with and not dealing directly with a subordinate, using another person to convey dissatisfaction with the subordinate's performance. | ||
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4.1 | 501 | 11. A supervisor consistently admonishes the subordinate without full knowledge of the situation or circumstances of the situation or problem. |
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1.1 | 502 | 11. Using group meetings to criticize other members (this does not prohibit discussing important information of a performance nature when others at the meeting need to know the information to perform their jobs). |
503 | 1. Interfering With Official Business: | ||
504 | 11. Attempting to coerce, influence, or manipulate other persons. | ||
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4.1 | 505 | 11. Engaging in illegal work slow-downs, sit-downs, or strikes. |
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1.1 | 506 | 11. Acting or behaving in such a manner that it unnecessarily disrupts the employee's own performance or the performances of other employees. |
507 | 1. Performance of Duty: | ||
508 | 11. Having to be repeatedly told how to do routine tasks of a job. | ||
509 | 11. Failure of a supervisor to correct a subordinate's infraction when such infraction is first made known or when the supervisor could have been expected by management to be aware of the problem. | ||
510 | 11. Accepting or reporting information related to duties as true or factual without taking reasonable steps to verify the correctness and accuracy of the information. | ||
511 | 11. Failure to report for duty in full uniform. | ||
512 | 11. Consistent failure to pass required qualifying exams or tests within the established time periods (e.g., firearms, emergency medical, knowledge of policies or procedures, or certification examinations). | ||
513 | 11. Consistently taking work breaks at times when it fails to promote the most effective and efficient flow of work going on at the time. | ||
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4.1 | 514 | 11. Failing to conduct a performance evaluation according to established procedure. |
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1.1 | 515 | 11. Failing to demonstrate competent performance results on any assigned or assumed duty or task after receiving appropriate training or comparable experience. |
516 | 11. Not being equipped with proper tools, forms, or equipment to perform expected job duties and tasks when such items are available. | ||
517 | 11. Repeated failure to complete reports when necessary information is available, after receiving notice to correct. | ||
518 | 11. The failure to appear for hearings or trials without good cause and without giving advance notice to the court's liaison officer. | ||
519 | 11. Even lacking purposeful intent, an employee who consistently fails to respond to calls in a normal and timely manner. | ||
520 | 11. Failing to achieve consistently a minimum level of typical productivity. | ||
521 | 11. Unapproved absences beginning or ending with specific shifts or time periods (e.g., preceding holidays, sports events, seasonal events). | ||
522 | 11. Establishing a pattern of scheduling non-work appointments during busy or critical work times without displaying substantial written evidence that other times could not have been more appropriately arranged. | ||
523 | 11. Use of leave time at a rate that consistently leaves the employee's leave bank at or near zero (less than 16 hours). | ||
524 | 11. Establishing a pattern of tardiness. | ||
525 | 11. An analysis of an employee's work record shows an established pattern of work non-productivity. | ||
526 | 11. Consistently taking a longer than normal time on a task or job assignment. | ||
527 | 11. Failing to commence productive work at the beginning of the shift or stopping productive work prior to the end of the shift. | ||
528 | 11. Failing to immediately resume normal duties (e.g., continuing to hang around for an additional period of time) after completing a call, normal break, or other assigned detail. | ||
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4.1 | 529 | 11. An employee consistently fails to self-initiate work during work time not committed to demanded tasks. |
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1.1 | 530 | 11. Parking or hiding in out-of-the-way locations from the eyes of the public when not on declared surveillance (declared surveillance means the surveillance was prearranged with the supervisor or dispatch has been notified). |
531 | 11. Spending an atypical amount of time on specific tasks, leaving other tasks for others to do. | ||
532 | 11. Consistently performing substandard work or performing below expectations. | ||
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4.1 | 533 | 11. Behaving in a manner that would lead a reasonable person to suspect that the employee's mental ability, attitude, or demeanor was atypical (e.g., hostile or offensive behavior, profuse anger beyond normal agitation). |
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1.1 | 534 | 11. Excessively using leave time due to illness or injury is direct evidence of the employee's unreadiness to assume the duties, tasks, and performances of the job. |
535 | 11. Failing to self-initiate an immediate and appropriate response in an emergency situation where another comparably trained employee with similar job responsibilities would self-initiate an immediate response without waiting to be told to do so by a supervisor, co-worker, or dispatcher. | ||
536 | 11. Responding to a request for assistance and then not seeking ways to provide such assistance (e.g., taking the long way to a scene, arriving at a scene and then standing around waiting to be told what to do, appearing to join in on a group work effort and then letting others do the work, etc.). | ||
537 | 11. Failure to participate as backup for another employee. | ||
538 | 11. Repeated dependence on another employee to take the lead in potentially injurious or dangerous situations. | ||
539 | 11. The failure to respond when a request for backup is made by another employee, particularly if the failure was due to an unauthorized absence from duty or being out of an assigned work area. | ||
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4.1 | 540 | 11. Through lack of self-preparation, failing to know enough about what is going on to do a job efficiently or effectively, or causing others to be inefficient or ineffective in the performance of duties. |
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1.1 | 541 | 11. Unauthorized absences. |
542 | 11. Consistently scheduled personal appointments that coincide with scheduled duty time. | ||
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4.1 | 543 | 11. Failing to attend a scheduled training course or being absent for any period of time from a scheduled training course without direct approval from the appropriate authority. |
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1.1 | 544 | 11. Time lost because of reporting to duty unfit or not ready for duty. This includes physical or mental fitness and the failure to bring or wear necessary equipment or uniform. |
545 | 11. Time lost doing re-work because such work was not completed properly the first time. | ||
546 | 11. Time lost sleeping, loafing, or watching television during restricted times on the job. | ||
547 | 11. Time spent conducting personal business on work time in excess of personal break times. | ||
548 | 11. Time spent on an unassigned task without an immediate supervisor's permission. | ||
549 | 11. Time spent on extended lunch or work breaks. | ||
550 | 1. Personal Responsibility: | ||
551 | 11. Repetitive complaints received by the WCSO that the employee is not paying bills or meeting obligations. | ||
552 | 1. Political Activity: | ||
553 | 11. Representing a political party while in uniform. | ||
554 | 11. Soliciting political support while on duty. | ||
555 | 1. Prohibited Association: | ||
556 | 11. Purchasing from or for an offender or giving or accepting gifts from or for an offender. | ||
557 | 11. Working for an individual or establishment that has a community or known reputation for violence, crime, vice, illegal drug trafficking, etc. | ||
558 | 11. Spending time with an offender when not demanded so by work assignment or duties. | ||
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4.1 | 559 | 11. Having an in-depth discussion with an offender that is not work-related. |
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1.1 | 560 | 1. Public Image: |
561 | 11. Causing a scene in a restaurant or other public location. | ||
562 | 11. Consistent complaints from the employee's neighbors concerning the employee's behavior as it relates to violations of law. | ||
563 | 11. Controversial conduct displayed on or off duty that brings public criticism and causes management or supervisory personnel to spend an atypical amount of time and management cost to investigate or respond to the criticism. | ||
564 | 11. Failing to identify self, badge, and identification card and number to any member of the public, except when working undercover or when the employee's safety would be endangered. | ||
565 | 11. Failing to keep equipment clean and in proper order, particularly when such equipment is exposed to public view. | ||
566 | 11. Failing to present proper grooming, attire, or appearance while on duty or representing the WCSO. | ||
567 | 11. Failing to speak courteously to members of the public or treat them courteously (e.g., not letting the violator(s) ask questions about points of law or about the nature of the offense). | ||
568 | 11. Loud and crude language in public when such language has a direct and detrimental impact on public image. | ||
569 | 11. Using profane or abusive language in public. | ||
570 | 11. Public criticisms of actions when such actions cause the department to suffer a loss of public trust and when unable to provide substantial evidence that such actions were in the public's best interest. | ||
571 | 11. Smoking or chewing smokeless tobacco while meeting the general public, particularly while in non-smoking areas, operating or riding in public vehicles, or while giving care to a person. | ||
572 | 11. Finishing or continuing a personal conversation or personal phone call before assisting the public at the office reception window. | ||
573 | 11. While in uniform, failing to honor and display respect for customs and traditions of the WCSO or another agency (e.g., failing to salute the flag, failing to remove head gear inside a courtroom, failing to address a judge or public official by proper title, etc.). | ||
574 | 1. Public Relations: | ||
575 | 11. The unauthorized and unnecessary divulging of information, communications, or correspondence that identifies or suggests the identification of an investigator, informant, or undercover agent. | ||
576 | 11. Giving out unauthorized information or information in violation of policy to any person (e.g., news media, attorneys, bondsmen, parents, etc.). | ||
577 | 1. Purchases: | ||
578 | 11. Incurring financial liability or obligations for the WCSO without authority or permission to do so. | ||
579 | 1. Safety and Security: | ||
580 | 11. Allowing untrained or inexperienced employees or civilians to use equipment that has the potential of being damaged or injuring any person. | ||
581 | 11. Being assigned to assist as backup and habitually failing to be able to provide support or assistance. | ||
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4.1 | 582 | 11. Failing to keep aware of events and circumstances ongoing during the shift that have a reasonable expectation of causing a safety concern for others or self. |
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1.1 | 583 | 11. Continuing a chase for a minor violation once a license number and driver identification are known while substantial evidence exists to indicate the person can be apprehended later with less public endangerment. |
584 | 11. Failing or refusing to wear a seat belt properly. | ||
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4.1 | 585 | 11. Failing to drive defensively resulting in a chargeable motor vehicle accident, in nearly causing a motor vehicle accident, or in the WCSO receiving a substantiated complaint. |
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1.1 | 586 | 11. Failing to notify dispatch of a location, particularly on a traffic stop or encounter with a suspicious person. |
587 | 11. Failing to provide known information or withholding information that results in another person being injured or subject to an unnecessary safety or health risk. | ||
588 | 11. Failing to report damaged or dysfunctional equipment that has the probability of endangering self or others. | ||
589 | 11. Handling, aiming, firing, unloading, or loading a weapon contrary to established policies or procedures (includes accidental discharges of firearms or drawing weapons on public persons without sufficient cause). | ||
590 | 11. Horseplay (e.g., the use of equipment for purposes not specifically designed or pranks that create the possibility of injury). | ||
591 | 11. Leaving security doors open, ajar, or defeating the locking mechanism. | ||
592 | 11. Leaving a weapon or potential weapon unsecured or improperly stored. | ||
593 | 11. Making oneself unavailable for duty (e.g., leaving assigned post without notifying immediate supervisor, not answering radio when called, unplugging the telephone to avoid taking a call, consistently taking longer than normal breaks). | ||
594 | 11. The unauthorized and unnecessary divulging of information, communications, or correspondence that identifies or suggests the identification of an investigator, informant, or undercover agent. | ||
595 | 11. Unsafe or improper handling of equipment that carries a reasonable risk of endangering persons or property. | ||
596 | 1. Smoking: | ||
597 | 11. Smoking while meeting the general public, particularly while in non-smoking areas, operating or riding in public vehicles, or while giving care to a person. | ||
598 | 1. Use and Care of Property and Equipment: | ||
599 | 11. Failing to avoid damaging WCSO equipment or property. | ||
600 | 11. Purposefully damaging WCSO equipment or property. | ||
601 | 11. Failing to perform routine and regular maintenance on assigned equipment. | ||
602 | 11. Failing to report damaged or dysfunctional WCSO equipment. | ||
603 | 11. Leaving an agency vehicle running and unsecured. | ||
604 | 11. Misuse of radio by transmitting slang or other non-official communications. | ||
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4.1 | 605 | 11. Private use of WCSO equipment without the approval of an appropriate supervisory person. |
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1.1 | 606 | 11. Using WCSO equipment or property in an unauthorized manner. |
607 | 11. Use of another's equipment without gaining their prior approval. | ||
608 | 1. Workplace Violence: | ||
609 | 11. While on duty, throwing objects while in a state of anger or frustration. | ||
610 | 11. While on duty, making violent verbal or physical attacks on another. Non-violent verbal attacks on another would not be included in this section. Instead, they would be included in section: Interaction & Communication. |