Policy Text
Policy
320Garden Grove Police Department
Policy Manual
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2022/09/28, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Garden Grove Police
DepartmentStandards of Conduct - 1Standards of Conduct
320.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
This policy establishes standards of conduct that are consistent with the values and mission of
the Garden Grove 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.
320.2 POLICY
It is the policy of the Garden Grove Police Department to provide all employees with a password
that allows access to the network and in turn the department policies. It shall be the responsibility
of the employee to familiarize him/herself and comply with all such policies, orders, directives,
rules and regulations of this department.
320.3 VIOLATION OF RULES
Employees shall not commit or omit any acts which constitute a violation of any rules, regulations,
directives, orders, or policies of this department, whether stated in this policy or elsewhere.
Employees shall be responsible for their own acts, and they shall not shift to others the burden or
responsibility for executing or failing to execute a lawful order or duty.
320.4 PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT AND RESPONSIBILITIES
(a)Standard of Conduct - Employees' conduct shall, at all times, whether on or off duty,
be governed by ordinary and reasonable standards of conduct and behavior.
(b)Loyalty to the department and to associates is an important factor in departmental
morale and efficiency. Employees shall maintain a loyalty to the department and their
associates that is consistent with the law and personal ethics.
(c)Cooperation between the ranks and units of the department is essential to effective
law enforcement; therefore, all employees shall establish and maintain a high spirit of
cooperation within the department.
(d)Assistance- Employees are required to take appropriate police action toward aiding
fellow peace officers exposed to danger or in a situation where danger might be
impending.
(e)General Responsibilities - Within the City of Garden Grove, employees shall at all
times take appropriate action to:
1.Enforce in a reasonable and prudent manner all federal and state laws and local
ordinances relating to the control of crime and regulation of conduct.
Garden Grove Police Department
Policy Manual
Standards of Conduct
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2022/09/28, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Garden Grove Police
DepartmentStandards of Conduct - 22.Take such action as may be necessary and operate in such a manner as
to assure the citizens of the city that orderly activities of the community may
proceed without disruption from criminal and irresponsible elements.
3.Be responsible for the protection of life and property from criminal attack and in
emergency situations when the welfare of the community is threatened.
4.Cooperate with and assist citizens of the community and units of the city, county,
state, and federal government with such problems and in such situations as
customs and traditions dictate in matters both criminal and non-criminal.
5.Treat all persons equally and with fairness, regardless of race, ethnic group,
creed, or social status; avoiding disrespectful or discourteous conduct.
(f)Duty Responsibilities - Employees of the department are always subject to duty
although periodically relieved of its routine performance. Employees shall, at all
times, respond to the lawful orders of superior officers and other proper authorities.
Appropriate police action must be taken whenever required. The administrative
delegation of the enforcement of certain laws and ordinances to particular units of
the department does not relieve employees of other units from the responsibility of
taking prompt, effective police action within the scope of those laws and ordinances
when the occasion so requires. Employees assigned to special duties are not relieved
from taking proper action outside the scope of their specialized assignment when
necessary.
(g)Insubordination - Failure or deliberate refusal of any employee to obey a lawful order
given by a superior officer shall be considered insubordination. Ridiculing a superior
officer or his orders, whether in or out of his presence, is also insubordination.
(h)Chain of Command - Employees in doubt as to the nature or detail of their assignment
shall seek such information from their supervisors by going through the chain of
command. The chain of command shall be used in handling all departmental business.
(i)Performance of Duty - Employees shall perform their duties as required or directed
by law, departmental rule, policy or order, or by order of a superior officer. All lawful
duties required by competent authority shall be performed promptly as directed,
notwithstanding the general assignment of duties and responsibilities.
(j)Knowledge of Laws and Regulations - Employees are required to establish and
maintain a working knowledge of all laws and ordinances in force in the City of Garden
Grove; the rules, regulations, and policies of the department; and the general and
special orders of the department and divisions thereof. In the event of improper action,
it will be presumed that the employee was familiar with the law, rule or policy violated.
(k)Obedience to Laws and Regulations -Employees shall observe and obey all laws and
ordinances, all rules and regulations of the department, and all general, special and
personnel orders of the department and divisions thereof.
(l) Establishing Elements of Violation - Existence of facts establishing a violation of the
law, ordinance or rule, is all that is