Policy Text
Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office
Santa Cruz County SO Policy Manual
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2020/06/30, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Santa Cruz County Sheriff's
OfficeLAW ENFORCEMENT CODE OF ETHICS - 1LAW ENFORCEMENT CODE OF ETHICS
As a law enforcement officer, my fundamental duty is to serve the community; to safeguard
lives and property; to protect the innocent against deception, the weak against oppression or
intimidation and the peaceful against violence or disorder; and to respect the constitutional rights
of all to liberty, equality and justice.
I will keep my private life unsullied as an example to all and will behave in a manner that does
not bring discredit to me or to my agency. I will 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 both in my personal and official life, I will be exemplary in obeying the law and
the regulations of my office. 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 permit personal feelings, prejudices, political beliefs, aspirations,
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 law enforcement service. I will never engage in
acts of corruption or bribery, nor will I condone such acts by other law enforcement officers. I will
cooperate with all legally authorized agencies and their representatives in the pursuit of justice.
I know that I alone am responsible for my own standard of professional performance and will take
every reasonable opportunity to enhance and improve my level of knowledge and competence.
I will constantly strive to achieve these objectives and ideals, dedicating myself before God to my
chosen profession . . . law enforcement.
Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office
Santa Cruz County SO Policy Manual
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2020/06/30, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Santa Cruz County Sheriff's
OfficeMISSION STATEMENT - 2MISSION STATEMENT
Our mission is to ensure public safety in Santa Cruz County County. We accomplish this through
open communication and collaboration with our community as well as continuous professional
development of staff to address crime and promote innovative corrections solutions.
Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office
Santa Cruz County SO Policy Manual
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2020/06/30, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Santa Cruz County Sheriff's
OfficeTable of Contents - 3Table of Contents
LAW ENFORCEMENT CODE OF ETHICS ............... 1
MISSION STATEMENT ..................... 2
Chapter 1 - Law Enforcement Role and Authority ............ 8
100 - Law Enforcement Authority .................. 9
101 - Chief Executive Officer ................... 12
102 - Oath of Office ..................... 13
103 - Policy Manual ..................... 14
Chapter 2 - Organization and Administration ............. 19
200 - Organizational Structure and Responsibility ............ 20
201 - Special Orders ..................... 22
202 - Disaster Plan ...................... 23
203 - Training Policy ..................... 24
204 - Electronic Mail ..................... 26
205 - Administrative Communications ................ 28
206 - Staffing Levels ..................... 29
207 - License to Carry a Firearm ................. 30
208 - Retiree Concealed Firearms ................. 37
Chapter 3 - General Operations .................. 42
300 - Use of Force ...................... 43
301 - Handcuffing and Restraints ................. 50
302 - Control Devices and Techniques ............... 55
303 - Conducted Energy Device .................. 60
304 - Officer-Involved Critical Incident ................ 67
305 - Firearms ....................... 78
306 - Vehicle Pursuits ..................... 88
307 - Deputy Response to Calls ................. 100
308 - Canine Program .................... 103
309 - Domestic Violence .................... 112
310 - Search and Seizure ................... 119
311 - Temporary Custody of Juveniles ............... 122
312 - Adult Abuse ...................... 133
313 - Discriminatory Harassment ................. 143
314 - Child Abuse ...................... 149
315 - Missing Persons .................... 156
316 - Public Alerts ...................... 162
317 - Victim and Witness Assistance ................ 167
318 - Hate Crimes ...................... 170
319 - Standards of Conduct ................... 180
320 - Information Technology Use ................. 187
321 - Report Preparation ................... 190
Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office
Santa Cruz County SO Policy Manual
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2020/06/30, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Santa Cruz County Sheriff's
OfficeTable of Contents - 4322 - News Media Relations .................. 195
323 - Subpoenas and Court