Policy Text
Page 1 of 2 3/09 (NEW 2/10)
Rules of Conduct
I. Policy Statement
The objectives of the rules o f conduct for the Sacramento Sheri ff’s Department are to:
A. Maintain discipl ine and harmony
B. Ensure proper per formance of duty
C. Provide essential public service D. Maintain public trust and conf idence in the Department and i ts employees
E. Ensure efficient oper ation of the Department
F. Protect the public G. Maintain and prot ect confidentiality
Any conduct that brings any of t hese goals into question may be a legitimate subject of
disciplinary action and shall apply to all employees and volunt eers of the Sacramento
Sheriff’s Department.
II. Causes For Disciplinary Action
Sacramento County Civil Service rules 11.4 and as authorized in section 18.5 of the
Memorandum Of Understanding between the County of Sacramento an d the Deputy
Sheriff’s Association, a nd other labor agreements.
A. Fraud in secur ing appointment
B. Incompetency
C. Inefficiency D. Inexcusable neglect of duty E. Insubordination F. Dishonesty G. Drunkenness on duty H. Addiction to the use of nar cotics or habit-forming drugs
I. Inexcusable absence without leave J. Conviction of a felony or conv iction of a misdemeanor which is of such a
nature as to adversely affect the employee’s ability to perform the duties
and responsibilities of his or her position. A plea of guilty, or a conviction
following a plea of nolo contende re is deemed to be a convictio n within the
meaning of this section.
K. Discourteous treatment of the public or other employees
L. Political activity prohibi ted by state or federal law
M. Willful disobedience
Page 2 of 2 3/09 (NEW 2/10) N. Violation of any of the prohi bitions set forth in Section 71 of the
Sacramento County Charter
O. Refusal to take and sign any oath or affirmation which is a federal, state or
county requirement
P. Any failure of good behavior eith er during or outside of dut y hours which is
of such nature that it causes discredit to his or her agency or his or her
employment.
Q. Failure to possess or keep in e ffect any license, certificat e or other similar
requirement specified in the empl oyee’s class specification.
R. Any violation of Rule 6.6(a) which prohibits the solicitatio n of waivers.
S. Failure to pay a service fee , or a contribution required in lieu of a service
fee, pursuant to an agency shop provision in a labor agreement between
the County and a recognized empl oyee organization, where the
disciplinary action in question is provided for in such agreeme nt.
Civil Service Rule 11.4 (p) al so referred to as, Conduct Unbeco ming an Officer
“C.U.B.O.” shall further be defined as any conduct tending to d estroy public respect and
confidence in the operation of count y services or affecting the morale or efficiency of the
Department. Employees shall co nduct themselves at all times bo th on and off duty in
such a manner which does not bri ng the Department into disreput e. Conduct
unbecoming an officer shall incl ude that which brings the agenc y into disrepute or
reflects discredit upon the offi cer as a member of the agency o r that which impairs the
operation or efficiency of the D epartment or an officer or an e mployee.
While these are the rules of c onduct and behavior, any violatio n of Department policy,
procedure, rule, or order may be the basis for disciplinary act ion.
These rules of conduct are for i nternal use only and are not in tended to enlarge, create
or expand any employee’s civil or criminal liability in any way . These regulations should
not be construed as creating any higher standard of safety or c are with respect to any
claims made by third parties. V iolations of these rules may onl y form the basis for
internal disciplinary action by the Department in a non-judicia l administrative setting.
III. Discipline
Violations of these rules of conduct may result in any of the f ollowing or combination
thereof:
A. Discharge B. Demotion C. Suspension D. Reduction in pay, class, step E. Denial of promotion/removal from list F. Written reprimand G. Transfer