Policy Text
Riverside County Sheriff's Department
Riverside County Sheriff's Department Standards Manual (DSM)
SHERIFF'S INTRODUCTION TO THE DEPARTMENT STANDARDS MANUAL
This Department Standards Manual is a living document that is subject to constant change. This
manual was prepared with technical and professional guidance while taking into consideration
laws, court decisions, county ordinances, and best practices of law enforcement agencies
throughout the state. The Department Standards Manual will be the subject of continual review of
these considerations and will experience future revisions where necessary and appropriate.
No set of policies and procedures, no matter how complete, can hope to address all the situations
that may be encountered by members of this Department. There will be situations that occur that
must be left to the good judgment and discretion of the personnel involved. Such discretion must
be employed with a reasonableness standard that is the standard for governmental actions.
It is the responsibility and duty of every member to become thoroughly familiar with the contents
of this manual. The information contained in the manual should be followed as closely as
circumstances permit.
Upon distribution of this manual in its entirety, all previously issued Department Directives and
General Orders are revoked.
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2026/01/05, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Riverside County Sheriff's
DepartmentSheriff's Introduction to the Department
Standards Manual - 1
Riverside County Sheriff's Department
Riverside County Sheriff's Department Standards Manual (DSM)
Table of Contents
Sheriff's Introduction to the Department Standards Manual ..........1
Chapter 1 - Law Enforcement Role and Authority .............8
100 - Law Enforcement Authority ...................9
101 - Riverside County Sheriff's Office Value Statement ...........16
102 - Mission Statement .....................18
103 - Law Enforcement Code of Ethics ................19
104 - Correctional Deputy Code of Ethics ................20
105 - Chief Executive Officer ....................21
106 - Oath of Office .......................22
107 - Department Standards Manual .................23
Chapter 2 - Organization and Administration ..............26
200 - Organizational Structure and Management .............27
201 - Orders.........................31
202 - Business Management ....................32
203 - Fiscal Operations .....................33
205 - Fair Political Practices Commission - Disclosure Requirement .......35
206 - Disaster Plan (Unusual Occurrences) ...............37
208 - Training.........................38
212 - Electronic Communication Systems ................41
214 - Administrative Communications .................43
215 - Sheriff's Office Online Briefing and Safety Training Program ........45
217 - Sheriff's Office Coordinators and Liaisons ..............47
218 - License to Carry a Firearm ..................49
219 - Retiree Concealed Firearms ..................57
Chapter 3 - General Operations ...................59
300 - Use of Force .......................60
301 - Risk Management .....................72
302 - Significant Use of Force - Executive Review Process ..........75
303 - Force Investigations Detail ..................78
305 - Special Victims Unit .....................81
306 - Handcuffing and Restraints ..................83
307 - Mobile Field Force .....................89
308 - Control Devices: Baton, PepperBall, 40mm Launcher, and Chemical Agents ...95
309 - Flying While Armed ....................103
310 - Conducted Energy Device ..................107
312 - Firearms........................113
313 - Deputy Response to Calls ..................123
314 - Vehicle Pursuits .....................126
318 - Patrol Service Canines ...................143
319 - Bloodhound Canines ....................149
320 - Domestic Violence .....................154
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2026/01/05, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Riverside County Sheriff's
DepartmentTable of Contents - 2
Riverside County Sheriff's Department
Riverside County Sheriff's Department Standards Manual (DSM)
322 - Search and Seizure ....................171
323 - Child Protective Custody Warrants ...............177
324 - Temporary Custody of Juveniles ................184
325 - Child and Dependent Adult Safety ................196
326 - Response to School Related Violence (aka STAR Protocol) .......200
327 - Senior and Disability Victimization ................206
328 - Discriminatory Harassment and Workplace Violence ..........222
329 - Registered Offender Information ................223
331 - Child Abuse .......................227
333 - Identity Theft ......................235
334 - Missing Persons (Adults/Juveniles) and Runaways ..........236
335 - Private Persons Arrests ...................247
336 - Special Needs Reunification Program ...............249
337 - Public Alerts .......................253
338 - Blue Envelope Program ...................261
339 - Hate Crimes .......................263
340 - Standards of Conduct ....................274
341 - Victim and Witness Assistance .................285
342 - Minor Misconduct - Response Options ..............289
343 - Written Reprimands ....................292
345 - Computer Software and Hardware ................296
346 - Information Technology Use ..................297
347 - Report Preparation .....................301
348 - Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation ..........305
350 - Media Relations .....................307
352 - Subpoenas and Court Appearances ...............311
354 - Reserve Deputies .....................318
361 - Incident Notifications ....................325
364 - Death Investigation ....................329
368 - Anti-Reproductive Rights Crimes Reporting .............333
370 - Limited English Proficiency Services ...............335
372 - ADA Compliance .....................339
375 - Mandatory Employer Notification ................348
376 - Report of Firearm Prohibition From a Licensed Psychotherapist ......350
377 - Biological Samples .....................351
378 - Volunteer Mounted Posse ..................355
379 - Volunteer Program .....................359
380 - Chaplains ........................365
381 - Mounted Enforcement Detail .................370