PRIVACY/ACKNOWLEDGEMENT STATEMENT
The disclosure of information in this manual could compromise the essential services and systems of the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office or otherwise impact the Office’s ability to carry out essential emergency responsibilities. It is expressly forbidden to distribute the Policy and Procedural Manual in part or entirety outside of the agency without the written authorization of the Sheriff or his designee.
I understand that by violating this order I may be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination.
I further acknowledge that the Office has provided me with access to the Policy and Procedural Manual. It is my responsibility to read the manual within 30 days from the date of this receipt.
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Employee Signature Date
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Witness
Table of Contents
Chapter 1Law Enforcement Role and Authority
01-01 Mission Statement/Vision/Core Values
01-02Code of Conducts and Ethics
Chapter 2Administrative Policies
02-01Supervision and Command
02-02Written Directives
02-03Payroll and Timekeeping
02-04 Training
02-05 Travel Expense Reimbursement
02-06Capital Assets
Chapter 3Human Resources
03-01Equal Employment Opportunity
03-02Leave
03-03Attendance and Overtime
03-04Holidays
03-05Awards
03-06Harassment and Discrimination
03-07Disciplinary Procedures
03-08Duty Related Injuries (DRI)
03-09Return to Work/Light Duty
03-10Line of Duty Death
03-11Extra Duty Details/Secondary Employment
03-12Drug Free Workplace
03-13DNA Collection
03-14Performance Planning and Review (PPR)
03-15Employee Grievance Procedure
03-16Employee Files
03-17Violence in the Workplace
03-18Family Medical Leave
03-19Personal Use of Social Media
Chapter 4Equipment and Resources
04-01Fleet Vehicle Use and Maintenance
04-02Fleet Accidents
04-03Use of Force
04-04Taser/Electronic Control Devices
04-05Firearms
04-06Uniforms and Grooming
04-07 Reporting Lost or Stolen Weapons and Equipment
04-08Guidelines for Social Media Use in Investigations
Chapter 5Patrol
05-01Operations
05-02Bias-Based Profiling
05-03Mountain Bike Patrol
05-04Shot Spotter
05-05Mobile Video Recorders
Chapter 6Special Operations
06-01Critical Incident Response and Special Task Planning
06-02Command Notification Procedures
06-03Critical Incident Stress Management
06-04Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT)
06-05Canine
06-06Maritime
06-07Mass Arrest
06-08Shooting Response Team
Chapter 7Internal Affairs
07-01Administration
07-02Operations
Chapter 8Operations Support
08-01Public Affairs
08-02Inspectional Services
08-03Victim/Witness Assistance
08-04Mentally Ill Persons/Substance Abuse Patients
Chapter 9Auxiliary and Technical Services
09-01Evidence
09-02Communications
09-03Honor Guard
09-04Crisis Negotiation
09-05Safe Haven Law-Infants
09-06Concealed Handguns
09-07Chaplain Program
Chapter 10 Operational Memorandums
10-01FAA Personnel to Disaster Area or Areas Under Evacuation
10-02Prevention of Bloodborne Pathogens
Procedural Order/ Number
01-01 / Effective Date
11/01/98
Subject
Mission Statement/Vision/Core Values / Revision Date
01/26/09
Chapter
Law Enforcement Role and Authority / Reevaluation
Annually
OUR MISSION
It is the mission of the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office to provide quality law enforcement, detention, court security and homeland security services to the residents and visitors of East Baton Rouge Parish.
OUR VISION
It is the vision of the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office to be a leader in public safety, community service and crime control. We strive to integrate the community policing philosophies of developing partnerships with our community and maintaining a high quality of life through collaborative problem solving in everything we do. It is our vision that East Baton Rouge Parish remains one of the safest and most enjoyable places to live and visit in the State of Louisiana and the Nation.
OUR CORE VALUES
We, the men and women of the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office, pledge to infuse our core values in every aspect of our service to our community. Our three core values are:
Integrity - We pledge to maintain a strong sense of honesty, morality, goodness, and ethical character
Honesty - We pledge to always be truthful, sincere, upright, and decent
- Character - We pledge to maintain the highest ethical standards and honorable personal qualities. We wish to serve as role models for our youth, our community, and our profession
Procedural Order / Number
01-02 / Effective Date
11/01/98
Subject
Code of Conduct and Ethics / Revision Date
01/26/09
Chapter
Law Enforcement Role and Authority / Reevaluation
Annually
01-01.01CODE OF ETHICS
The East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office has adopted the Law Enforcement Officer’s Code of Ethics, promulgated by the National Sheriff’s Association, as the standard by which all deputies shall be guided for their conduct at all times.
01-01.02LAW ENFORCEMENT CODE OF ETHICS
As a Law Enforcement Officer, my fundamental duty is to serve mankind; to safeguard lives and property; to protect the innocent against deception, the weak against oppression or intimidation, and the peaceful against violence or disorder; and to respect the Constitutional Rights of all persons to liberty, equality, and justice. I will keep my private life unsullied as an example to all; maintain courageous calm in the face of danger, scorn, or ridicule; develop self-restraint; and be constantly mindful of the welfare of others. Honest in thought and deed in both my personal and official life, I will be exemplary in obeying the laws of the land and the regulations of my Office. Whatever I see or hear of a confidential nature or that is confided to me in my official capacity will be kept secret unless revelation is necessary in the performance off my duty. I will never act officiously or permit personal feelings, prejudices, animosities, or friendship to influence my decisions. With no compromise for crime and with relentless prosecution of criminals, I will enforce the law courteously and appropriately without fear or favor, malice, or violence and never accepting gratuities. I recognize the badge of my Office as a symbol of public faith, and I accept it as a public trust to be held so long as I am rue to the ethics of law enforcement. I will constantly strive to achieve these objectives and ideals, dedication myself before God to my chosen profession--law enforcement.
01-10.03DEFINITIONS
Sheriff: Chief law enforcement officer of the Parish, keeper of the jail, executive officer of district court, and ex-officio tax collector
Office: East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office
Commissioned Deputy: An employee commissioned by the Sheriff
Employee: An employee of the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office
01-01.04CONFORMANCE TO LAWS
A commissioned deputy shall conform to, and abide by, the laws of the United States, the State of Louisiana, all other states of the United States, and subdivisions thereof
A conviction for the violation of any law shall be prima facie evidence of a violation of this section
01-01.05COURTESY
Courtesy to the public will be strictly observed. Deputies shall not engage in argumentative discussions, even in the face of extreme provocation. When required, deputies will act with firmness and sufficient energy to perform his/her duties.
01-01.06CONDUCT UNBECOMING
A commissioned deputy shall conduct himself at all times, both on and off-duty, in such a manner as to reflect most favorably on himself/herself and the Sheriff’s Office.
Unbecoming conduct is defined as conduct which:
Brings the Sheriff’s Office or any of its subdivisions into disrepute
Reflects discredit upon the deputy as a member of the Sheriff’s Office
Impairs the operations or efficiency of the Sheriff’s Office or the deputy
Detrimentally affects the morale of Sheriff’ Office personnel
01-01.07LOYALTY TO THE OFFICE
A commissioned deputy shall not publicly criticize the Sheriff’s Office, its policies, or other deputies, or an employee by talking, writing, or other expressions where such defamatory, obscene and unlawful, exhibits a reckless disregard for the truth or tends to undermine the operations of the Sheriff’s Office.
01-01.08BADGE OF OFFICE
The term “badge of office” shall include identification/commission card, badge, official, position, title, uniform or any other tangible or intangible thing by which it can be construed that the concept “Sheriff’s Office” is being interjected.
A commissioned deputy shall not:
Participate in any form of solicitation where use is made of his/her badge of office without the express written approval of the Sheriff, or his designee
Use his/her badge of office for personal or financial gain or for the benefit of any individual or group of individuals
Seek nor accept any form of reward or remuneration, including money, tangible or intangible property, food, beverage, promise of loan, service or entertainment, excluding wages paid by the Sheriff’s Office, as a result of his conduct while acting within the authority of his badge of office except as directed by the Sheriff
Not use his/her badge of office for the purpose of avoiding the consequences of illegal acts
The use of “East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff Office” as part to the address of a deputy’s operator’s license, vehicle registration, or other personal papers is prohibited. It is the specific intent of this section to limit the use of the deputy’s badge of office to matters within the scope of his employment by the Sheriff’s Office. This section shall be construed so as not to restrict any commissioned Deputy in the free exercise of constitutionally protected freedoms that are not necessarily limited by the conditions of his employment
01-01.09IDENTIFICATION
Commissioned deputies shall carry their badge and identification cards on their person at all times except when impractical or dangerous to their safety or to an investigation.
01-01.10PERFORMANCE OF DUTY
Deputies shall not stop, detain, or search anyone based solely on racial characteristics, ethnicity, gender, or sexual orientation.
Deputies shall conscientiously strive to be responsible for the proper performance of all assigned duties, as they are responsible for their own acts. A deputy shall not consider ignorance of the rules, regulations, and directives an excuse or justification for any violation of such.
01-01.11REPORTING FOR DUTY
Deputies shall report for duty at the time and place specified by his supervisor and be physically and mentally fit for duty. Additionally, deputies shall be properly dressed in their issued uniform or approved civilian attire suitable for the assignment and be in possession of approved equipment necessary to assume their duties. Deputies are not allowed to utilize any personal equipment that has not been specifically authorized in Policy and approved by designated personnel. Deputies failing to report for duty, scheduled hearings, court appearances, and other designated assignments on time and fit for duty shall be in violation of this order and subject to disciplinary actions.
01-01.12NEGLECT OF DUTY
Deputies shall not, without proper authorization, absent himself/herself from their assigned duty station or otherwise fail to perform their assignment during their tour of duty.
Deputies shall remain awake and alert while on-duty or if unable to do so, shall report to their supervisor, who shall determine the proper course of action.
01-01.13NOTIFICATION FOR ILLNESS OR INJURY
A deputy who knows that they are unable to report for duty due to illness or injury shall immediately notify their supervisor, or ensure such notification is made. Information to be conveyed to the supervisor shall include: nature of the injury, the location where the deputy will be recuperation, and the expected date of return to duty. The supervisor shall be advised of changes in any of the aforementioned conditions that may occur after original notification was given. The supervisor may require a doctor’s certificate.
A deputy is injured on-duty shall report the injury to their supervisor as soon as possible and comply with the provisions of all other existing regulations pertaining to such injuries.
A deputy shall not feign illness, injury, deceive, attempt to deceive, any official or representative of the Sheriff’s Office as to the real physical condition of themselves or of another deputy.
A deputy, upon becoming aware that she is pregnant, shall report her condition in writing to the Sheriff through the chain-of-command. Further, on a monthly basis, a pregnant deputy shall submit physician’s medical certificates that document:
The deputy’s physical ability to perform the present assigned duties
The physician’s appraisal that the type of work being performed will not injure the deputy or expected child
Any recommended duty restrictions or modifications including temporary light duty. A pregnant deputy shall be permitted to continue working regular duty or temporary light duty assignments as long as monthly physician certificates are submitted or until such time as the physician recommends that work be curtailed
01-01.14UNSATISFACTORY PERFORMANCE
A deputy shall maintain a competency level sufficient to properly perform his/her duties and assume the responsibilities of their position. Deputies shall perform their duties in such a manner as to maintain the highest standards of efficiency.
Unsatisfactory performance may be demonstrated by:
A lack of knowledge in the application of laws required to be enforced
An unwillingness or inability to perform assigned task
A failure to conform to work standards established for the deputy’s rank, grade, or position
A failure to take the appropriate actions at the scene of a crime, disorder, or other matter deserving attention
Repeated poor evaluations
01-01.15LAWFUL ORDERS
A deputy shall promptly obey and execute any and all written or verbal lawful orders of a supervisor. A deputy shall not obey any order which he/she knows, or should have known, would require them to commit an illegal act. If in doubt as to the legality of an order, the deputy shall request the issuing supervisor to clarify the order. Due to unique separation of Divisions within the Sheriff’s Office, supervisors shall only issue orders to those deputies within their Division unless extenuating circumstances exist and failure to act would result in loss of life, serious injury, or massive property damage, etc.
01-01.16CONFLICTING ORDERS
A deputy who is given a lawful order that is in conflict with a previous order or regulation shall respectfully call attention to such conflict. If the superior deputy giving the order does not alter or retract the conflicting order, then that order shall stand and under these circumstances the responsibility shall be his/hers. The deputy obeying the conflicting order shall not be held responsible for disobeying any previously issued order.
01-01.17FALSE STATEMENTS
A deputy shall not make a false statement or falsify any written report to a supervisor knowing such statement to be incorrect or misleading. No deputy shall intentionally withhold any information from a report, statement, knowing such information to be relevant to the report or statement.
01-01.18DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION
Deputies shall not disseminate any confidential information of the Sheriff’s Office without proper authority. For the purpose of this order, confidential information shall be defined as information which:
Could endanger a deputy or any other person
May impede the disposition of a case
May aid a person to escape arrest
May delay the apprehension of a criminal
May permit the removal of stolen property or evidence
Violates any federal, state, or local law or ordinance concerning the release of confidential information
Makes known the contents of an internal or criminal record or report to an unauthorized person in violation of LRS 44:3, The Public Records Law
A deputy may only divulge, make known, or exhibit the contents of an official file:
To a duly authorized police officer or agency official
As provided by law and on approval of the appropriate supervisor
When summoned by a court of competent jurisdiction or subpoena duces tecum served on the Sheriff’s Office or its administrators
01-01.19RESIDENCE REQUIREMENTS
Commissioned deputies who reside outside of East Baton Rouge Parish shall utilize the chain-of-command and obtain approval from the Sheriff or his designee
Beginning April 12, 2008, Deputies assigned a take home vehicle who reside outside of East Baton Rouge Parish will be allowed out-of-parish commuting up to 25 miles driving distance from their residence to the East Baton Rouge Parish line. Only those authorized by the Sheriff or his designee will be allowed this privilege
In addition, those deputies granted permission under this policy provision may not use their assigned vehicle for personal use while outside of East Baton Rouge Parish
Deputies shall maintain a telephone at their residence or provide a telephone number to their Commander where they may be reached. Any change in address or telephone number shall be reported to the appropriate Commander and Human Resources in writing within forty-eight (48) hours
01-01.20INTERFERENCE
No deputy shall:
Interfere with, or attempt to exert influence on any of the participants in a Sheriff’s Office disciplinary procedure
Interfere with a case assigned to another deputy for investigation without the consent of the assignee, except by order of a supervisor
Interfere or intervene in any lawful arrest or prosecution brought by another deputy or by any other agency or person unless requested to do so by said agency or person
Undertake any investigation or other official action not part of his/her regular duties without obtaining permission from his/her supervisor unless the exigencies of the situation require immediate police action
01-01.21USE OF FORCE
Deputies shall not use more force than is reasonably necessary under the circumstances. In addition, deputies shall use force in accordance with applicable law and Sheriff’s Office guidelines.
01-01.22USE OF FIREARMS
The use or handling of a firearm in a careless or negligent manner, or the unjustified endangerment of human life, is strictly forbidden. In addition, the use of a firearm in a manner inconsistent with Sheriff’s Office rules, regulations, policies and procedures is forbidden.
01-01.23USE OF DRUGS
The use of any controlled dangerous substance, as defined and scheduled in LRS 40:961 et seq., by any deputy is prohibited except when prescribed by a licensed medical practitioner pursuant to treatment by that physician.
When a deputy is prescribed medication that is defined and scheduled as controlled dangerous substance, he/she shall inform their supervisor of said prescription prior to reporting for duty. The deputy shall provide written documentation from the prescribing physician certifying that the medication will not impair the deputy’s ability to perform their duties.
Use of a medication other than in the dosage prescribed by a physician may result in disciplinary action.
01-01.24USE OF INTOXICANTS
A deputy shall not appear for duty while under the influence of intoxicants, nor shall they partake of intoxicants while on-duty unless it is necessary to properly perform assigned functions as directed by his/her supervisor. If a deputy has authorization to use intoxicants while on-duty, it becomes incumbent upon the deputy not to indulge to the extent that mental capacity is reduced to a state of ineffectiveness.
Alcoholic beverages shall not be transported or stored in a Sheriff’s Office vehicle or instillation except in an emergency situation or orders from a supervisor, or when officially confiscated or seized as evidence.