Policy Text
Revisions or additions are highlighted 1 (08/17/2023 ) ST. PETERSBURG POLICE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDER
Subject: RULES OF CONDUCT
Index as: Absence without Leave Drug Use Rules of Conduct
Alcohol Use Duty to Intervene Subordinate
Arrests Fraternization Subversive Organizations
AWOL Gratuities Supervisor
Close Personal Relationship Investigations, Departmental Telephone Calls
Conduct, Rules of Jokes Tobacco Products
Crime and Criminal Activity Loans Use of Alcohol
Dating Personal Business Use of Departmental Vehicles
Departmental Investigations Recording of Personnel Use of Drugs
Departmental Vehicles, Use of Relief from Duty Use of Tobacco Products
Discounts
Accreditation Standards: 1.2.10, 4.2.3, 12.1.3, 12.2.1, 22.1.8, 26.1.1, 26.1.5, 26.3.6, 26.3.7, CFA 4.01
Cross Reference: G.O. II -05, II -05 Personal Appearance
G.O. II -06, Take -Home Vehicle Program
G.O. II -12, Negligent Damage Loss or Theft of Depart ment Property
G.O. II -25, Discrimination and Harassment
G.O. II -42, Use of Force
G.O. II -33, Fiscal Policy And Procedures
G.O. II-34, Substance Testing Procedures for Employees
G.O. III -05, Uniforms and Equipment
G.O. III -40, Mobile Video Recording Systems (MVRS)
I.O. V.5:05, Comm Procedures_ MDT, Radio, Cellular Telephone
City Admini strative Policy, 10605 Discounts and Special Offer
City Administrative Policy, 060500
City Rules and Regulations, Section 5 -6
City Rules and Regulations, Section 7 -5, D.
§934.03(2)(c), F.S.S., Interception and disclosure of wire, oral, or electronic c ommunications
prohibited
§112.532(1)(g), F.S.S., L aw enforcement officers’ and correctional officers’ rights
Replaces : G.O. IV -1, Rules of Conduct (June 12 , 2023 )
This Directive consist s of the following sections:
I. Policy
II. Definitions
III. Rules of Conduct
DATE OF
ISSUE EFFECTIVE DATE NUMBER
March 2023 Immediately IV-01
Distribution: All Employees
General Order IV -01
Revisions or additions are highlighted 2 (08/17/2023 ) I. POLICY
A. This Directive establishes basic rules and regulations governing the conduct of all employees of the Police
Department. These rules are supplementary to:
1. The rules of conduct detailed in labor agreements with various collective bargaining units representing
employees of the Department;
2. The Applicable Administrative Policies of the City of St. Petersburg and the City of St. Petersburg Rules and
Regulations of the Personnel Management System ;
3. The City of St. Petersburg Salary Plan, Classification and Pay Plan ; and
4. All applicable state and local laws.
B. Supervisors may suspend employees immediately, either with or without pay, when circumstances warrant such
action. (See City of St. Petersburg Rules and Regulations of the Personnel Management System , Section 7 -5, D, for a
guide.) The authority will be in accordance with the following:
1. Majors, Division Managers, Lieutenants and Sergeants may suspend an employee up to one (1) day.
2. Assistant Chiefs may suspend an employee up to forty (40) hours.
3. Suspensions in excess of forty (40) hou rs will be by the Chief of Police, or designee.
II. DEFINITIONS
A. Employee – All Department personnel, sworn and non -sworn.
B. Close Personal Relationship –Having a level of personal affection and familiarity not typically shared by co -workers
in the work environment, including dating, cohabitation, having a sexual relationship, or other similar behaviors. This
definition applies regardless of the sexual or ientation or gender of the employees involved.
C. Dating – Any conduct or behavior normally associated with romantic or sexual relationships, including casual dating,
serious dating, and casual sexual involvement when the parties have no intention of carryin g on a long -term relationship.
This definition applies regardless of the sexual orientation or gender of the employees involved.
D. Member – Sworn personnel, including sworn reserves.
E. Subordinate – An employee who is supervised, including being evaluated by , disciplined by, or otherwise directed
by, directly or indirectly by another employee of supervisory rank.
F. Supervisor – An employee who is responsible for the performance of subordinate employees under their immediate
control.
G. Volunteer – A non -sworn, unarmed, uniformed or non -uniformed affiliate whose duties contribute to the mission of
the Depart ment in a support capacity. Included are Public Safety Cadets , community members and others who serve in an
unpaid capacity at the pleasure of the Chief of Police. For the purposes of this Directive and other policies, volunteers, while
unpaid, are held to the same level of conduct as paid employees.
III. RULES OF CONDUCT
A. General Instructions
1. Employees will be held strictly responsible for executing all lawful orders and adhering to all regulations.
2. Any violation of the City Rules and Regulations of