Policy Text
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 202 6/01/01, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Santa Clara County Office of the
Sheriff Visible Display of Identification - 1 Santa Clara County Office of the Sheriff
Custody Policy Manual
Visible Display of Identification
254.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
The purpose of this policy is to provide guidelines for all uniformed members to be
readily identifiable to the public by the visible display of the Office name and individual identifying
information when performing enforcement duties, except in described limited specific
circumstances (Government Code § 7288).
This policy also serves as a declaration that the Santa Clara County Office of the Sheriff is
committed to transparency, accountability, and public trust.
254.1.1 DEFINITIONS
Definitions related to this policy include:
Enforcement duties - Active and planned operations involving the arrest or detention of an
individual, or deployment for crowd control purposes.
Visibly display identification - To wear externally on the uniform in a size and location such as
to be reasonably visible to a member of the public with whom the deputy interacts.
254.2 POLICY
It is the policy of the Santa Clara County Office of the Sheriff that all deputies visibly display
identification when performing enforcement duties except in circumstances set forth in this policy.
254.3 VISIBLE DISPLAY OF IDENTIFICATION
Whenever performing enforcement duties, every deputy shall visibly display identification,
including the name of this Office and either the deputy's name or badge number, or both name
and badge number.
This requirement shall not apply under the following conditions:
(a) When deputies are engaged in active undercover operations or investigative activities
(b) When deputies are wearing personal protective equipment that prevents display
(c) When exigent circumstances exist involving an imminent danger to persons or
property, the escape of a perpetrator, or the destruction of evidence, including if the
deputy is responding to those circumstances while off -duty
(d) When there is a specific, articulable, and particularized reason to believe that
identification would pose a significant danger to the physical safety of the deputy
254.4 POSTING OF POLICY
The Sheriff or the authorized designee shall make this policy publicly available on the Office
website.
A written challenge regarding this policy shall be forwarded to the Sheriff or the authorized
designee, who shall then have 90 days to address or correct any alleged deficiencies. Court Policy
254
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Copyright Lexipol, LLC 202 6/01/01, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Santa Clara County Office of the
Sheriff Visible Display of Identification - 2 Santa Clara County Office of the Sheriff
Custody Policy Manual
Visible Display of Identification
pr
oceedings may not be initiated by the challenging party until this 90-day period has been
completed.
254.
5 POLICY REVIEW
The policy shall be reviewed at least once every two years.
254.
6 POLICY TRACKING
Date of Origin 11/13/2025
Review Date 01/01/2028
Revision Date
Date Approved 12/30/2025
Effective Date 01/01/2026
Supersedes New Policy
References Government Code § 7288
Regulatory Authority Government Code § 7288
Signa ture of Issuing Authority
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