Policy Text
Page 1 of 2 3/08 (REV 11/2020 )
RELEASE OF PROBATIONARY EMPLOYEES,
RESERVE OFFICERS AND “AT WILL” EMPLOYEES
The purpose of this General Order is to establish release procedures for Probationary
Employees, Reserve Officers , and “At Will” Employees”.
I. Probationary Employees
A. Includes employees in full time job classifications that have not yet
successfully completed the initial probationary period of employment.
B. All employees shall be closely monitored during the ir probationary period to
ensure their performance, training progress, and attitude reflect a strong
probability that they will successfully discharge the duties of their job
classification. It shall be incumbent upon division commanders to release
an emp loyee no later than thirty days prior to the expiration of the ir
probationary period. Releases will be determined upon either, or both, of
the following:
1. Performance Deficiencies: A release recommendation in this
category shall proceed through the chain of command to the
Undersheriff.
2. “For Cause”/Stigmatizing Factors: Behavior which violates criminal
statutes, the “Professional Responsibility” policy, or otherwise
discredits the Sheriff’s Office shall presumptively require a release
from probation. When a probationary employee is believed to have
engaged in such conduct either on or off duty, the Division
Commander shall notify the Service Area Chief, and with his/her
concurrence, refer the case to the Legal Advisor’s Office. A final
decision to release an employee will be made by the Undersheriff.
A Liberty Interest Hearing will be offered to the employee
immediately upon release from employment . The Liberty Interest
Hearing does not need to occur prior to the employee ’s release
from employment. The Liberty Interest Hearing is a due process
hearing in order to afford the employee the oppor tunity to clear his
or her name from any stigmatizing comments.
The Liberty Interest Hearing is not a due process hearing to retain
employment. “At Will” and probationary employees have no property
right to their employment.
Page 2 of 2 3/08 (REV 11/2020 )
Once served and released from employment, t he employee shall
have five days to request the Liberty Interest Hearing. If requested,
the Liberty Interest Hearing shall be scheduled within ten days of
the employee’s request. The hearing will be conducted by a Chief
Deputy from a service area other than the employee ’s own .
II. Reserve Officers
A. Includes all members of the Sheriff’s Reserve Force, whether volunteer,
“on call,” retiree, or other classification.
1. Performance Deficiencies: A release recommendation in this
category shall be made by the Commander of the Division to which
the Reserve Officer is assigned, with the concurrence of the
Service Area C hief Deputy . The recommendation of the Division
Commander shall be forwarded to the Service Area Chief Deputy
for a recommendation then , forwarded to the Undersheriff for a final
decision.
2. “For Cause”/Stigmatizing Reasons: The procedure shall be the
same as with Probationary Employees.
III. “At Will” Employees
A. Includes employees in temporary job classifications who do not qualify as
permanent employees.
1. Performance Deficiencies: This procedure shall be the same as
with Probationary Employees.
2. “For Cause”/St igmatizing Reasons: This procedure shall be the
same as with Probationary Employees.