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ORANGE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE GENERAL ORDER Effective Date: August 26, 2025  Amends - GO 5.1.3 ( July 12, 2016 ) Number : 5.1.3 Distribution: All Personnel Review Month: June Reviewing Authority: ASB / Professional Standards Subject: Standards Of Conduct This order consists of the following: 1. Purpose 2. Consequences of Violation of Policies and Procedures 3. Unsatisfactory Performance 4. Leaving Duty Post 5. Neglect of Duty 6. Conflicting Orders 7. Illegal Orders 8. Courtesy and Respect 9. Insubordination 10. Personal Appearance 11. Truthfulness 12. Use of Medical Examinations 13. Conformance to Laws 14. Labor Activity 15. Behavior and Language 16. Dissemination of Information 17. Endorsements and Referrals 18. Posting of Bonds 19. Intervention 20. Reporting for Duty 21. Moral Character 22. Civil Process Service 23. Accepting Compensations 24. Legal Involvement 25. Use of Equipment 26. Gifts, Gratuities 27. Abuse of P ower 28. Destruction of Records 29. Falsification of Records 30. Processing Evidence 31. Property and Evidence 32. Damage or Loss of Property 33. Fictitious Illness or Injury Reports 34. Misuse of Breaks/Meals 35. Use of Alcohol and Illegal Drugs 36. Alcoholic Beverages and Illegal Drugs in Agency Facilities 37. Use of Alcohol Off Duty 5.1.3, Page 2 of 9 38. Use of Force 39. Use of Weapons 40. Unbecoming Conduct 41. Associations 42. Agency Disparagement 43. Political Activity 44. Operating Vehicles 45. Treatment of Persons in Custody 46. Carrying Firearms 47. Telephone 48. Violation of Rules 49. Identification 50. Discrimination 51. Sexual Harassment 52. Harassment 53. Offensive or Derogatory Comments 54. Bias-Based Policing 55. Chain of Command 56. Failure to Cooperate with Internal Inquiry/Investigation 57. Disclaimer 1. Purpose The purpose of this policy is to promote a pattern of behavior consistent with the philosophy of the Sheriff's Office that is reflective of professional law enforcement. 2. Consequences of Violation of Polic ies and Procedures Violation of policies and procedures may result in disciplinary action to include, but not be limited to verbal reprimand, written reprimand, suspension from duty without pay, disciplinary probation, demotion, or termination. Personnel transfers are not disciplinary in nature and are solely administrative. 3. Unsatisfactory Performance (Category 10) Personnel shall perform their duties competently, in accordance with established work standards for their rank and assignment, and in a manner that maintains the highest standard of efficiency in carrying out the functions and objectives of the Sheriff's Office. Examples of unsatisfactory performance include but are not limited to: unwillingness or inability to perform assigned tasks; failure to conform to work standards for the member’s rank, grade, or assignment; failure to take appropriate action in response to a crime, disorder, or other event requiring intervention; and absence without leave. Repeated “below standards” evaluations or a writt en record of repeated violations of agency policies constitutes prima facia evidence of unsatisfactory performance. 4. Leaving Duty Post (Category 1) Personnel shall not leave their assigned duty posts during a tour of duty except as authorized by proper aut hority. 5. Neglect of Duty (Category 4) Personnel shall not engage in any activities or personal business which would cause them to be inattentive to duty. 5.1.3, Page 3 of 9 6. Conflicting Orders (Category 1) Personnel who are given an otherwise proper order which is in conflict with a previous order, policy, procedure or direct ive shall respectfully inform the superior issuing the order of the conflict. If the superior issuing the order does not alter or retract the conflicting order, the order will stand. Under these circumstances, the responsibility for the conflict will be upon the superior. Personnel shall obey the conflicting order and will not be held responsible for disobedience of the order, policy, procedure or directive previously issued. 7. Illegal Orders (Category 8) Personnel shall neither give nor obey any order which they know or should know would require them to commit any illegal act. If in doubt as to the legality of an order, personnel shall request the issuing person to clarify the order or confer with higher authority. 8. Courtesy and Respect (Category 1) Personnel shall be courteous and respectful to their superiors, fellow personnel, and members of the public. 9. Insubordination (Category 10 ) Personnel shall promptly obey any lawful orders of a superior. This will include orders relayed from a superior by personnel of the same or lesser classification. 10. Personal Appearance (Category 1) Personnel on duty shall wear uniforms or other clothing in accordance with established agency procedures. Except when acting under proper and specific orders from a supe rior, personnel on duty shall maintain a neat, well groomed appearance. 11. Truthfulness (Category 9) Personnel shall truthfully relay all information and answer all questions related to their employment with the agency,