Policy Text
Policy Delano Police Department
321 Delano PD Policy Manual
Standards of Conduct
321.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
This policy establishes standards of conduct that are consistent with the values and mission
of the Delano 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.
321.2 POLICY
The continued employment or appointment of every member of the Delano 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.
321.3 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.
321.3.1 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.
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2019/12/06, All Rights Reserved. Standards of Conduct - 1
Published with permission by Delano Police Department