Policy Text
Merced County Sheriff's Office
Merced County Sheriff Policy Manual
MISSION STATEMENT
Our mission is to provide responsive, professional, and caring law enforcement services to all the
people of Merced County. We will respond to calls for service promptly, protect lives and property
to the very best of our abilities, initiate and maintain crime prevention programs, and apprehend
criminal offenders.
We will maintain correctional facilities and operate correctional programs in the most efficient and
effective manner possible. We will be diligent in our role as Coroners to protect the rights and
dignity of those who can no longer speak for themselves.
As Merced County Sheriff/Coroner employees, we will always conform to the high standards
expected by the public, by being fair, compassionate, unbiased, and in conformance with the "Law
Enforcement Code of Ethics."
Sheriff-Coroner Vernon H. Warnke
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Published with permission by Merced County Sheriff's OfficeMISSION STATEMENT - 1
Merced County Sheriff's Office
Merced County Sheriff Policy Manual
Table of Contents
MISSION STATEMENT ......................1
Chapter 1 - Law Enforcement Role and Authority .............7
100 - Law Enforcement Code of Ethics .................8
101 - Law Enforcement Authority ...................9
103 - Chief Executive Officer ....................12
105 - Oath of Office .......................13
107 - Policy Manual .......................14
Chapter 2 - Organization and Administration ..............19
200 - Organizational Structure and Responsibility .............20
204 - Departmental Directive ....................22
206 - Emergency Management Plan .................23
208 - Training.........................24
212 - Electronic Mail ......................26
214 - Administrative Communications .................28
216 - Staffing Levels ......................29
218 - License to Carry a Firearm ..................30
220 - Retiree Concealed Firearms ..................37
Chapter 3 - General Operations ...................43
300 - Use of Force .......................44
302 - Deadly Force Review ....................54
306 - Handcuffing and Restraints ..................56
308 - Control Devices and Techniques ................62
309 - Conducted Energy Device ...................67
310 - Officer-Involved Shootings and Deaths ...............70
312 - Firearms........................77
316 - Deputy Response to Calls ...................93
317 - Strip Search Policy .....................96
318 - Canines........................99
320 - Domestic Violence .....................109
322 - Search and Seizure ....................119
324 - Temporary Custody of Juveniles ................121
326 - Senior and Disability Victimization ................132
328 - Discriminatory Harassment ..................147
330 - Child Abuse .......................152
332 - Missing Persons .....................160
334 - Public Alerts .......................166
336 - Victim and Witness Assistance .................173
338 - Hate Crimes .......................176
340 - Standards of Conduct ....................187
342 - Information Technology Use ..................194
344 - Report Preparation .....................198
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Merced County Sheriff's Office
Merced County Sheriff Policy Manual
346 - Media Relations .....................203
348 - Court and Public Appearances, Subpoenas And Attire Standards ......207
350 - Reserve Deputies .....................212
352 - Outside Agency Assistance ..................217
356 - Registered Offender Information ................219
358 - Major Incident Notification ..................222
360 - Death Investigation ....................224
362 - Identity Theft ......................228
364 - Private Persons Arrests ...................230
365 - Willful Disobedience of a Court Order ..............232
368 - Limited English Proficiency Services ...............234
372 - Mandatory Employer Notification ................242
376 - Chaplains ........................243
377 - Sheriff's Security Attendants ..................248
378 - Public Safety Video Surveillance System .............249
380 - Child and Dependent Adult Safety ................253
382 - Service Animals .....................257
384 - Volunteer Program .....................260
385 - TRAINING .......................266
386 - Off-Duty Law Enforcement Actions ...............267
389 - Office Use of Social Media ..................269
390 - Gun Violence Restraining Orders ................272
391 - Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation ..........276
392 - ADA Compliance .....................278
393 - Vehicle Pursuits .....................287
Chapter 4 - Patrol Operations ...................298
400 - Patrol Function ......................299
402 - Bias-Based Policing ....................303
404 - Briefing Training .....................307
406 - Crime and Disaster Scene Integrity ...............308
407 - Tactical Support Unit (TSU) ..................310
408 - SWAT.........................311
409 - Dive Team .......................315
410 - Ride-Along Policy .....................321
411 - Aviation Unit .......................324
412 - Hazardous Material Response .................326
414 - Hostage and Barricade Incidents ................329
416 - Response to Bomb Calls ...................334
418 - Mental Illness Commitments .................339
420 - Cite and Release Policy ...................345
421 - Out of State and County Arrest Extradition Waiver ..........349
422 - Foreign Diplomatic and Consular Representatives ...........350
424 - Rapid Response and Deployment ................354
428 - Immigration Violations ....................357
432 - Patrol Rifles .......................363
434 - Aircraft Accidents .....................367
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Published with permission by Merced County Sheriff's OfficeTable of Contents - 3
Merced County Sheriff's Office
Merced County Sheriff Policy Manual
436 - Field Training Officer