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ORANGE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE GENERAL ORDER Effective Date: September 13, 2023  Amends - GO 17.1.3 ( April 30, 2021 ) Number: 17.1.3 Distribution: All Personnel Review Month: April Reviewing Authority: Undersheriff / Professional Standards Subject: Early Identification System This order consists of the following: 1. Purpose 2. Policy 3. Definitions 4. Procedures 1. Purpose The purpose of this policy is to provide a method of identifying employees whose actions could cause harm to themselves, others, or the agency. The Early Identification System (EIS), in conjunction with the various support programs provided through the agency, is designed to identify sources of job and pers onal stress, to improve performance and thus benefit the employee, the agency, and the community. 2. Policy Proper conduct of all agency employees is crucial to the achievement of the agency’s mission. It is the policy of the agency to actively monitor all employees’ conduct and provide appropriate intervention when it is evident that behavior and performance related problems exist . 3. Definitions A. Blue Team – an electronic application utilized to facilitate the identification, reporting, documentation, and tracking of incidents that may generate an EIS review. B. Early Identification System (EIS) - a proactive, non -disciplinary system intended to enhance aware ness by employees, supervisors and managers of potential employee problems before serious events occur. C. Early Identification System Alert – A combination of events which include administrative investigations, inquiries, external/internal complaints, deput y involved shootings, and incidents requiring a Response to Resistance Form . D. Early Identification System Coordinator - a Professional Standards employee who monitors the number of EIS defined events occurring and is responsible for th e proper flow of documentation. The EIS Coordinator confirm s follow -up action is taken. E. Early Identification System Review – A review of the incidents leading to the 17.1.3, Page 2 of 4 employee alert. 4. Procedures A. Early Identification System Alert Reporting Criteria 1. All employees who have been involved in four (4) events defined in this policy as Alert events within the preceding twelve (12) months will generate an EIS Review . 2. Other events that will generate an EIS alert and review include: any employee who has been i nvolved in the below events within the preceding twelve (12) months. a. Two (2) incidents involving the discharge of a firearm, to include accidental discharges. b. Four (4) intentional deployments of the electronic control device (ECD) towards a subject. c. Two (2) unintentional deployments of the electronic control device (ECD). B. Identification of Employees 1. Agency supervisors and managers shall demonstrate a positive approach to identifying and assisting employees whose performance indicates a possibility of job stress or other job -related problems. These symptoms may be exhibited through abuse of sick time, use of unnecessary force, poor safety techniques, over aggressiveness or equipment abuse. Although no particular set of criteria can determine job stress and /or performance problems, it is important that certain criteria be routinely reviewed as indicators of behavior patterns. 2. All Field Training Officers ( FTO’s ), supervisors and managers are responsible for actively monitoring employee conduct and intervening when necessary. They shall properly notify the chain of command when an employee has demonstrated a pattern of abuse of leave and when an employee’s behavi or is detrimental to self or others, or is contrary to agency policy. It is the decision of the Section Commander to authorize an Early Identification review. The Section Commander initiating a review shall follow the same protocol as a Professional Standa rds initiated review. The Section Commander shall notify the EIS Coordinator , in writing , to initiate an EIS review . 3. The EIS Coordinator shall identify employees whose conduct falls within the reporting criteria status of the EIS Program. C. After an employee has been identified by the EIS, the employee’s Section Commander shall be notified via Blue Team . They shall complete the review within 30 days of receipt from Professional Standards. D. The employee’s supervi sor shall review the documentation from the EIS Coordinator, conduct the required research , and interview the employee. 17.1.3, Page 3 of 4 E. After interviewing the employee , the supervisor shall schedule a conference with his/her next two levels of command to discuss the find ings. F. When the employee’s chain of command does not concur with the finding of the Investigating Supervisor, their non -concurrence shall be summarized in the Blue Team EIS review and forwarded to the Division Commander for resolution. G. When an employee’s behavior review goes beyond the expertise of the Division Commander or his or her staff, the employee may be referred to an agency contract psychologist. This review will be coordinated with the Human Resource s Division Commander or designee prior to the employee being referred. The Human Resources Division Commander or designee shall receive any report produced by the psychologist and brief the employee’s Division Commander. H. When no action is required or whe n action is deemed necessary, all supporting documentation will be linked to the Blue Team EIS review . I. If action is deemed necessary, the “ Summary ” portion of the EIS review will be completed documenting various sup port programs offered by the agency which are designed to reduce