Policy Text
CODE OF ETHICS
GENERAL ORDER #1.00
Adopted: 07/07/2010
Replaces: G.O. #1011 Reviewed: 02
/22/2010
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As a Law Enforcement Officer, my fundame
ntal duty is to serve all persons; to safeguard lives and
property; to protect the innocent against decepti on, the weak against oppression or intimidation, and
the peaceful against violence or disorder; and to respect the Constitutional rights of all persons to
liberty, equality and justice.
I will keep my private life unsullied as an exam
ple to all; maintain courageous calm in the face of
danger, scorn, or ridicule; develop self-restraint; and be constantly mindful of the welfare of others.
Honest in thought and deed in both my personal and official life, I will be exemplary in obeying the
laws of the land and the regulations of my depart ment. Whatever I see or hear of a confidential
nature or that is confided to me in my official capacity will be kept ever secret unless revelation is necessary in the performance of my duty.
I will never act officiously or perm
it personal fee lings, prejudices, animosities, or friendships to
influence my decisions. With no compromise for crime and with relentless prosecution of criminals, I will enforce the law courteously and appropriately without fear or favor, malice or ill will, never
employing unnecessary force or violence and never accepting gratuities.
I recognize the badge of my office as a symbol of public faith, and I accept it as a public trust to be
held so long as I am
true to the ethics of the poli ce service. I will constantly strive to achieve these
objectives and ideals, dedicating myself before God to my chosen profession ... law enforcement.
GENERAL ORDER #1.00 LAURIE SMITH
S H E R I F F
MISSION STATEMENT
GENERAL ORDER #1.01
Adopted: 07/07/2010
Replaces: G.O. #1012 Re
viewed: 02/22/ 2010
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The Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office is dedicated to the
preservation of public safety by providing innovative and progressive service in partnership with the community.
GENERAL ORDER #1.01
LAURIE SMITH
S H E
R I F F
CORE VALUES
GENERAL ORDER #1.02
Adopted: 07/07/2010
Replaces: R
eviewed: 02/22/ 2010
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¾Our principal mission is protection of life and property.
¾Our employees are our most valued asset.
¾We strive to maintain the highest level of public trust.
¾We demand the highest standard s of honesty and integrity.
¾We value community partnerships.
¾We treat each other, and the community, with dignity and respect.
¾We recognize diversity as a strength.
¾We value personal and professional growth through education and training.
¾We recognize the importance of investi ng in the future of our community's
children.
¾We recognize the importance of fiscal responsibility through performance-
based management.
GENERAL ORDER #1.02
LAURIE SMITH
S H
E R I F F
MAINTENANCE OF GENERAL ORDERS AND DIRECTIVES
GENERAL ORDER #2.00
Adopted: 07/07/2010 Updated: 02/22/2010
Replaces: G.O. #2.00 dated 04/15/2008 R
eviewed: 02/22/ 2010
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POLICY
General Orders will be issued to set the standard of operation, and admi
nistrative functions of the
Sheriff’s Office for all personnel. Divisional and un it directives and procedures will be issued to
personnel affected by those directives and procedur es. Reference to “deputy” in these General
Orders refers to all sworn members and transportation officers of the Sheriff’s Office.
PROCEDURE
A. ISSUING OF GENERAL ORDERS
1. General
Orders are available to a ll employees electronically. Support Services
Division will provide a CD version of the General Orders to any employee
desiring a copy.
2. Each em
ployee shall be responsible for understanding and abiding by the General
Orders.
3. W
henever a new General Order is adde d to the Sheriff’s Office General Orders or
a change is made to an existing order, the signed order will be forwarded by the
Sheriff to the Support Services Division, who shall distribute the order to all
personnel. The Support Services Divisi on shall maintain the original signed
Orders in an historical file.
4. Supervisors shall review all new or revised General Orders with their personnel.
GENERAL ORDER #2.00 15. Employees shall not disclose the contents of the General Orders to the public Any
request for copies of our General Orders or the release of any General Order will
be handled by the Sheriff’s Office PIO.
GENERAL ORDER #2.00 2B. REVIEW OF GENERAL ORDERS
1. General Orders will be reviewed and upda ted under the direction of the Assistant
Sheriff, Admi
nistrative Services Bureau.
2. General Orders will be reviewed on an annual basis by the comm
and staff.
Command staff members are encouraged to solicit recommendations for revisions
of General Orders from members of their command.
3. All comm
ands of the Sheriff’s Office shall be responsible for an annual review of
the General Orders. This review, to be coordinated by the Support Services
Division, will commence