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\n\n--- Page 1 ---\n\nSEMINOLE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE NUMBER: G - 03 GENERAL ORDER RESCINDS: SUBJECT: Customs EFFECTIVE: November 14, 1994 REVISED: June 26, 2009 ACCREDITATION STANDARDS: None Table of Contents: I. Purpose II. Courtesy III. Chain of Command IV. Courtesy of Rank V. Military Protocol VI. Flag Courtesy VII. Current/Former Members of the Armed Forces (Non-Uniformed Employees) VIII. Mourning Protocol I. PURPOSE: The purpose of this directive is to reaffirm traditional Sheriff’s Office customs. II. COURTESY: Courtesy is the accepted form of politeness among civilized people. Courtesy soothes the personal relationship among individuals in all walks of life. Rules of courtesy and etiquette apply to all employees. III. CHAIN OF COMMAND: Every effort should be made to use the chain of command as it promotes communication, morale and efficiency. Employees will familiarize themselves with their chain of command and will use appropriate channels to transact Sheriff’s Office business. IV. COURTESY OF RANK: A. Subordinates will address supervisors by their specific rank. While it may be permissible to address immediate supervisors by their first name in a private setting, it shall never be done in public. B. When promoted to a supervisory level, employees are no longer responsible for their conduct alone but also bear the responsibility for others. They must conduct themselves in a manner that exemplifies the philosophy and values of the Sheriff's Office. GENERAL ORDER Customs GO # 3 PAGE 1 OF 3\n\n--- Page 2 ---\n\nV. MILITARY PROTOCOL: A. Formal Ceremony (definition): Events requiring a formal, ceremonial response from the Sheriff’s Office and its employees. Formal ceremonies may include award ceremonies, funerals and dedications. B. Ceremonial Protocol: 1. Command of formal ceremonies is vested in an employee selected by the Sheriff. This person, generally referred to as the "Event Commander," makes all decisions regarding employee formations and will decide if hand salutes are to be given. The Event Commander issues all orders to uniformed personnel. 2. This directive may not apply to Honor Guard operations. Unless otherwise instructed in advance, non-Honor Guard members will not obey commands issued by or to the Honor Guard at ceremonial events. 3. Only Class A, Class B and Class G uniforms are used during formal ceremonies. C. Hand Salute: 1. Military hand salutes are given only by uniformed employees and only when they are armed and wearing an authorized hat. Salutes are given only during formal ceremonies and only at the direction of the Event Commander (see Chapter VII below). NOTE: Based on the number of armed employees wearing hats, the appropriateness of hand salutes at formal ceremonies will be determined by the Event Commander. 2. Hand salutes will never be given with a casual, perfunctory, or flippant attitude. Salutes will be rendered quickly and smartly. 3. Uniformed individuals in a formation will not salute except upon the order of the Event Commander. The proper command for a salute to be rendered is "PRESENT ARMS." The proper command to release a salute is "ORDER ARMS." D. Headgear: 1. The official Sheriff’s Office hat is the campaign style hat with a badge affixed to the front or, depending upon an employee’s duty assignment, an issued Sheriff’s Office motorcycle helmet or baseball style hat. NOTE: The use of ball hats when wearing the Class A or Class B uniform is prohibited (they may be worn while wearing the Class C, D, E and F uniforms). 2. Baseball hats will not be worn during any formal ceremony. 3. A Sheriff’s Office motorcycle helmet is authorized headgear while wearing the Class G (motorcycle) uniform. 4. Headgear will be removed before entering: a. Places of worship, b. Private residences, GENERAL ORDER Customs GO # 3 PAGE 2 OF 3\n\n--- Page 3 ---\n\nc. A building to attend a meeting or reception, and, d. Courtrooms. NOTE: When uniformed employees enter restaurants for meals, headgear will be removed. Headgear should remain on if the employee is on official Sheriff’s Office business. VI. FLAG COURTESY: A. During ceremonies when a United States flag is raised or lowered, or when a flag is passing in parade or review, Sheriff's Office employees should face the flag, stand at attention and salute. 1. Civilian, non-uniformed employees salute the flag by holding their right hand over their heart. 2. Uniformed employees who are armed and wearing authorized headgear shall render the military hand salute. 3. Uniformed employees who are hatless or unarmed shall place their right hand over their heart. B. At parades, when passing or being passed by an unfurled flag, hand salutes will be rendered six paces before and held until six paces after the flag has passed. Small flags carried by individuals or flags attached to flagpoles or other permanent fixtures are excluded. NOTE: A dignitary’s vehicle displaying the flag of the United States or that of the President, Vice President, or Governor will be saluted. C. When the National Anthem is played and the flag is not displayed, employees should stand and face the direction or source of the music. If wearing hats, employees will remove them. If the anthem is being played and the flag is displayed, employees shall give the appropriate salute. VII. FORMER/CURRENT MEMBERS OF THE ARMED SERVICES (NON-UNIFORMED EMPLOYEES): Non-uniformed employees who are current or former members of the Armed Forces are authorized to render hand salutes during the playing of the National Anthem, the Raising or Lowering of the Flag Ceremony and the Passing of Colors regardless of whether such events take place within a formal ceremony. VIII. MOURNING PROTOCOL: A. When the Sheriff declares a period of mourning, he will also declare how long it will be in effect. B. When the flag is flown at half-staff, it should first be hoisted to the peak of the staff for an instant and then lowered to the half-staff position. It will be the first flag raised. Additional flags will be raised only after the United States flag has been placed into position. Additional flags will be displayed at a lower level than the United States flag. C. Black mourning ribbons will be displayed on badges and identification cards for a period of time determined by the Sheriff. 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