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ORANGE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE GENERAL ORDER Effective Date: September 25, 2024  Amends - GO 1.1.0 ( July 31, 2020 ) Number: 1.1.0 Distribution: All Personnel Review Month: October Reviewing Authority: SSD / Quality Assurance Subject: Written Directives This order consists of the following: 1. Purpose 2. Policy 3. Definitions 4. Procedures 1. Purpose It is the duty of the Sheriff to direct the actions of all personnel either employed or appointed. This direction must be precise, thorough and consistent. For all personnel, written directives must inspire confidence and provide a clear understanding of the constraints and expectations placed upon them by their employment . Written directives must also provide personnel guidance in the daily performance of their assigned duties. Written Directives are the statements of agency policy, procedure, rules and regulations. 2. Policy It is the policy of the agency to establish proper preparation, distribution, and purging of written orders and directives. 3. Definitions A. Correspondence - any written communication, processed for mailing, intended for members of the general public or other law enforcement agencies. B. General Orders - refer to the adoption or revision of policies or procedures affecting more than one organizational component for the indefinite future. General Orders are approved by the Sheriff or U ndersheriff. C. Inter-Office Memoranda - official communication through approved channels. Inter-office Memoranda does not create or alter the policy of the Sheriff's Office. D. Legal Bulletins - informational reports prepared or approved by the General Counsel and distributed to all affected personnel that are intended to provide interpretations of case laws, legislation, etc., that relate to the function of the agency. E. Manuals - agency plans, documents or manuals referenced by the written 1.1.0, Page 2 of 6 direc tive system (e.g., Critical Incident Management Guide, Civil Disturbance Plan). F. Policy Review Committee (PRC) - committee designated by the Sheriff to make recommendations about proposed changes to agency policies and procedures. A Division Commander appointed by the Sheriff heads the committee, which also includes the HRD Director, the Labor Relations Manager, the Section Commander of Professional Standards, all other Division Commanders, the General Counsel and a representative from Accredi tation. G. PowerDMS – the agency -approved software program that provides electronic archival, receipting, and distribution of policies and procedures. The software also provides management of compliance of the accreditation process. H. SharePoint (Portal) – a web -based application used as the agency’s internal portal to facilitate communication and access information that is sometimes access -restricted. It provides a comprehensive all -in-one approach for managing unlimited number of users to communicate, pub lish and share different documents, reports and customized secured applications and special forms within the Sheriff’s Office. I. Special Orders - describe the duties and responsibilities of personnel within their respective unit's components and procedures relating to the operation and organization of their unit. Special Orders are issued by division/section commanders and approved by the Sheriff or Undersheriff. J. Training Bulletins - refer to matters affecting the overall operation of the Sheriff's Office, or any component, which requires explanation or clarification. Training Bulletins are approved by the Sheriff or Undersheriff. K. Written Directives – any written document used to guide or affect the performance or conduct of agency employees. The term in cludes policies, procedures, rules and regulations, general orders, special orders, training bulletins or other instructional material, legal bulletins, memorandums, and correspondence. 4. Procedures A. Distribution of Policies and Procedures and Legal Bu lletins 1. All agency personnel shall be provided access, via PowerDMS, to all new and/or revised policies and procedures (General Orders, Special Orders, and Training Bulletins) and Legal Bulletins. All personnel shall provide an electronic signature for those policies and procedures and/or legal bulle tins affecting them and shall be held responsible for knowing and complying with their content. 2. Copies of all material of an instructional nature will be forwarded to the Training Section. 1.1.0, Page 3 of 6 3. In the event PowerDMS is not operating or otherwise inacc essible, two electronic copies of all written directives will be updated by Accreditation quarterly . One flash drive copy will be stored in the Accreditation office for access The second location will be stored on the S Drive for accessibility . 4. All original directives will be maintained by Accreditation in a historical file in accordance with applicable law. B. Format of Policies and Procedures and Legal Bulletins 1. Header The first pa ge will contain identifying information in the following order: a. Classifications - type of directive. General or Special Order, Legal or Training Bulletin. b. Effective date - the date the directive is posted to PowerDMS. c. Rescinds/amends - “Rescinds” cancels an order and “amends” changes an order. The date of the prior revision is also noted here. d. Number - the sequential number under which the directive is to be integrated into the manual. e. Distribution - the agency personnel the directive is distributed to. (All personnel, all sworn personnel,