62658457.pdf

\n\n--- Page 1 ---\n\nGAINESVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDER TITLE ACCREDITATION Rules of Conduct CALEA Chapters: 22 & 26 PRIOR REVISIONS 07/02/99, 01/21/02, PROPONENT UNITS 02/16/06, 02/24/09, Personnel Unit/ Internal Affairs 04/23/18 Division ATTACHMENT: 3 NUMBER ISSUE DATE REVISION DATE TOTAL PAGES 26.1 07/01/98 12/23/2024 27 I. PURPOSE: This Order is to identify Department policies and rules of conduct for Departmental personnel. II. POLICY: Because misconduct by members of the Department weakens the Department’s effectiveness and erodes public trust, the Gainesville Police Department shall promote proper conduct among its members by establishing written guidelines to create a standard of professional conduct. Consequently, any violation of this Order or City policy can bring disciplinary action that may extend to and include dismissal from employment. However, this policy statement does not prohibit the disciplining of members merely because an alleged act or omission does not specifically appear in this Manual. GPD Employees are also governed by the City of Gainesville Personnel Policies and Procedures, including the Code of Ethics, found in Administrative Procedures Number G-2, and by the provisions of any applicable collective bargaining contract. Issued directives and orders regarding rules of conduct shall apply to all members of the Department while on or off duty [CALEA 26.1.1]. III. DEFINITIONS: A. Non-Descript Police Vehicles: Non-descript police vehicles are those intended to blend in with routine vehicle traffic, and which have no visible police markings or equipment. B. Unmarked Fleet Vehicle: Unmarked fleet vehicles have the same or similar body style as marked patrol cars, are a solid color, and are not conspicuously marked. C. Marked Fleet Vehicle: A conspicuously marked police vehicle which has blue striping, lettering and a Department seal. These vehicles may or may not have roof-mounted light bars. D. Emergency Vehicles: Fleet vehicles (either marked or unmarked) equipped with emergency lights and sirens. IV. PROCEDURE A. Conduct Unbecoming: Department members will conduct themselves in a manner that does not bring discredit upon or adversely reflect upon the reputation of the Department, its members, the City of Gainesville, or the community. B. Performance: Members shall perform their basic duties and responsibilities, preserve the public peace, prevent crime, detect and arrest law violators, protect life and property, and enforce state and local criminal laws to the best of their ability and in accordance with the directives of the Department manual. 1\n\n--- Page 2 ---\n\nGAINESVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT 1. Deficiencies in the performance of basic duties may be indicated by, but is not limited to: i. A lack of knowledge of the laws to be enforced; ii. An unwillingness or failure to perform assigned tasks; iii. The failure to conform to work standards established for the member’s rank or position; iv. The failure to take appropriate action on the occasion of a crime, instance of disorder, or other incident; v. Repeated work evaluations showing substandard performance; vi. Failure to properly carry, wear or maintain appropriate equipment; vii. Failure to comply with Department directives, policies, and/or procedures; 2. Deficiencies in performance may be addressed via disciplinary action, and may be regarded, depending upon the circumstances, as inefficiency, incompetence, neglect or other degree of performance failure. C. Knowledge: Every member is required to establish and maintain a working knowledge of municipal ordinances, state statutes, and the policies and directives of the Department and its subdivisions. D. Contact with the Public: All members shall: 1. Be courteous, orderly, attentive, and patient in dealing with the public. 2. Not use coarse, violent, profane, or insolent language; 3. Not express any prejudice concerning race, gender, religion, politics, national origin or similar personal characteristics. E. Personal Business on Duty: Except for incidental errands, members shall not conduct personal business while on duty. For related information, refer to G. O. 41.3 regarding usage of Department vehicles. F. Gifts, Gratuities, Privileges: 1. GPD employees shall not solicit or accept anything of either tangible or intangible value (such as gratuities, loans, gifts, merchandise, meals, beverages, services or any other thing of value or benefit) in connection with or resulting from their employment at the Gainesville Police Department or their official position, based upon an understanding that the solicitation or acceptance of the thing of value is intended to influence the official actions (or inactions), conduct, or judgment of the receiving Department member. 2\n\n--- Page 3 ---\n\nGAINESVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT i. Exception: Contemporaneous to duty hours, all employees are not required to refuse reduced- cost food and beverage if it is the general policy of the vendor to offer such service. ii.All GPD employees are prohibited from soliciting or requesting such reduced-cost benefit where there is any direct or indirect connection between the solicitation and their departmental membership or employment, except as maybe specifically approved by the Chief only. iii. GPD employees are prohibited from soliciting funds or donations of any type which would benefit the Gainesville Police Department in anyway, i.e. such as monetary donations, food or meals for banquets, equipment, or any items which directly benefit the Gainesville Police Department. iv. Employees may accept gifts distributed to the general public for advertising purposes. v.GPD employees may, with the approval of the Chief, accept an incentive, merit award, award, prize, or premium from the City or any authorized group (such as civic clubs). 2. Employees shall not use their official position, badges, or identification cards to obtain privileges not otherwise available to them, except as authorized by law and at the discretion of the Chief of Police. G. Profiting From Employment: 1. Members shall not convert to their own use or have any claim on found property, recovered property, or property held as evidence. 2. Members shall not buy or sell anything of value from or to any complainant, suspect, witness, defendant, prisoner, or other person involved in any case which association has resulted from the member’s employment at the Gainesville Police Department, except in accordance with the law and as may be officially authorized by the Chief of Police for a bona fide police purpose. H. Reward Compensation: No GPD employee shall accept or solicit any fee or compensation offered as a result of their performance of official duties. I. Verbal Abuse / Harassment: Members shall not verbally or otherwise abuse or harass their fellow employees or members of the public. J. Criminal Conduct: Members shall obey all the laws of the United States, the State of Florida, and the City of Gainesville’s jurisdiction, including city and county ordinances. Employees shall notify the Chief of Police in writing (via the chain of command), as soon as possible, if they are arrested, issued criminal summons, issued criminal traffic citation, have their driver’s license suspended, have active warrants against them, or are served an injunction. 3\n\n--- Page 4 ---\n\nGAINESVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT A copy of the report, charging document, or civil order shall be forwarded by the member to the Internal Affairs commander. K. Use of Alcohol: 1. GPD employees shall not consume, be under the influence, or exhibit any discernable signs of alcohol consumption while on duty or while on paid, stand-by status. i. Department policy prohibits any level of blood alcohol under this section, and therefore, supersedes the City’s Drug Free Workplace Policy [regarding acceptable blood alcohol levels]. ii. Exceptions may be made by the member’s supervisor for sworn personnel working in an undercover