Standards_of_Conduct

Policy 319CSU Police Department Systemwide Policy Manual Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/08/30, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by CSU Police DepartmentStandards of Conduct - 1Standards of Conduct 319.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE This policy establishes standards of conduct that are consistent with the values and mission of the CSU Police Department and are expected of all department members. The standards contained in this policy are not intended to be an exhaustive list of requirements and prohibitions but they do identify many of the important matters concerning conduct. In addition to the provisions of this policy, members are subject to all other provisions contained in this manual, as well as any additional guidance on conduct that may be disseminated by this department or a member’s supervisors. 319.2 POLICY The continued employment or appointment of every member of the CSU Police Department shall be based on conduct that reasonably conforms to the guidelines set forth herein. Failure to meet the guidelines set forth in this policy, whether on- or off-duty, may be cause for disciplinary action. 319.3 DIRECTIVES AND ORDERS Members shall comply with lawful directives and orders from any department supervisor or person in a position of authority, absent a reasonable and bona fide justification. 319.3.1 UNLAWFUL OR CONFLICTING ORDERS Supervisors shall not knowingly issue orders or directives that, if carried out, would result in a violation of any law or department policy. Supervisors should not issue orders that conflict with any previous order without making reasonable clarification that the new order is intended to countermand the earlier order. No member is required to obey any order that appears to be in direct conflict with any federal law, state law or local ordinance. Following a known unlawful order is not a defense and does not relieve the member from criminal or civil prosecution or administrative discipline. If the legality of an order is in doubt, the affected member shall ask the issuing supervisor to clarify the order or shall confer with a higher authority. The responsibility for refusal to obey rests with the member, who shall subsequently be required to justify the refusal. Unless it would jeopardize the safety of any individual, members who are presented with a lawful order that is in conflict with a previous lawful order, department policy or other directive shall respectfully inform the issuing supervisor of the conflict. The issuing supervisor is responsible for either resolving the conflict or clarifying that the lawful order is intended to countermand the previous lawful order or directive, in which case the member is obliged to comply. Members who are compelled to follow a conflicting lawful order after having given the issuing supervisor the opportunity to correct the conflict, will not be held accountable for disobedience of the lawful order or directive that was initially issued. CSU Police Department Systemwide Policy Manual Standards of Conduct Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/08/30, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by CSU Police DepartmentStandards of Conduct - 2The person countermanding the original order shall notify, in writing, the person issuing the original order, indicating the action taken and the reason. 319.3.2 SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITIES Supervisors and managers are required to follow all policies and procedures and may be subject to discipline for: (a)Failure to be reasonably aware of the performance of their subordinates or to provide appropriate guidance and control. (b)Failure to promptly and fully report any known misconduct of a university police department member to their immediate supervisor or to document such misconduct appropriately or as required by policy. (c)Directing a subordinate to violate a policy or directive, acquiesce to such a violation, or are indifferent to any such violation by a subordinate. (d)The unequal or disparate exercise of authority on the part of a supervisor toward any department member for malicious or other improper purpose. 319.4 GENERAL STANDARDS Members shall conduct themselves, whether on- or off-duty, in accordance with the United States and California constitutions and all applicable laws, ordinances, and rules enacted or established pursuant to legal authority. Members shall familiarize themselves with policies and procedures and are responsible for compliance with each and should seek clarification and guidance from supervisors in the event of any perceived ambiguity or uncertainty. Discipline may be initiated for any good cause. It is not mandatory that a specific policy or rule violation be cited to sustain discipline. This policy is not intended to cover every possible type of misconduct. 319.4.1 DUTY TO INTERVENE All department members have a duty to intervene to prevent misconduct within the university police department by stopping, attempting to stop, or reporting another member of the department as soon as possible when they witness any abuse of power, excessive force, sexual harassment or other misconduct that may be in violation of department policy, CSU policy, and/or local, state or federal laws. 319.5 CAUSES FOR DISCIPLINE The following are illustrative of causes for disciplinary action. This list is not intended to cover every possible type of misconduct and does not preclude the recommendation of disciplinary action for violation of other rules, standards, ethics and specific action or inaction that is detrimental to efficient department service: CSU Police Department Systemwide Policy Manual Standards of Conduct Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/08/30, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by CSU Police DepartmentStandards of Conduct - 3319.5.1 LAWS, RULES AND ORDERS (a)Violation of, or ordering or instructing a subordinate to violate any policy, procedure, rule