Policy Text
Policy
1018Garden Grove Police Department
Policy Manual
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2022/08/15, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Garden Grove Police
DepartmentMeal Periods and Breaks - 1Meal Periods and Breaks
1018.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
This policy regarding meals and breaks, insofar as possible shall conform to the policy governing
all City employees that has been established by the City Manager.
1018.2 POLICY
Employeesrepresented by the Garden Grove Chapter of the Orange County Employees'
Association and the Garden Grove Police Association are allowed to take meal and rest breaks in
accordance with the terms and conditions of the current Memorandums of Understanding (MOU).
1018.3 MEAL PERIODS
Sworn employees and dispatchers shall remain on duty subject to call during meal breaks. All
other employees are not on call during meal breaks unless directed otherwise by a supervisor.
Uniformed patrol and traffic officers shall request clearance from Communications prior to taking a
meal period. Uniformed officers shall take their breaks within the City limits unless on assignment
outside of the City.
The time spent for the meal period shall not exceed the authorized time allowed.
Patrol personnel must schedule their meal break with the dispatcher and must notify the dispatcher
of the location of their break. No more than two marked police vehicles and three uniformed officers
may have meals at the same location.
Officers are not allowed to take their meal break during the first or last hour of their duty shift.
Employees inside the police building shall not eat in view of the public.
1018.4 15 MINUTE BREAKS
Each employee is entitled to a 15 minute break, near the midpoint, for each four-hour work period.
Only one 15 minute break shall be taken during each four hours of duty. No breaks shall be taken
during the first or last hour of an employee’s shift unless approved by a supervisor.
Employees normally assigned to the police facility shall remain in the police facility for their breaks.
This would not prohibit them from taking a break outside the facility if on official business.
Field officers will take their breaks in their assigned areas, subject to call and shall monitor their
radios. When field officers take their breaks away from their vehicles, they shall do so only with
the knowledge and clearance of Communications.
No more than one marked unit or two uniformed officers may take a rest break at any food or
beverage establishment at the same time.