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General Order B -3 Page 1 of 10 Rules of Con duct TEMPLE TERRACE POLICE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDER EFFECTIVE DATE : 07/13/2009 FILE INDEX NO. : B-3 SUBJECT: RULES OF CONDUCT INDEX AS: RULES OF CONDUCT RECINDS: 81-5 REVISES: DATE REVISED: 10/07/2024 DISTRIBUTION : ALL MEMBERS I. PURPOSE: The purpose of this d irective is to establish rules of conduct that all members will be held accountable to during their employment with the Temple Terrace Police Department (TTPD) . Member s will a lso abide by all city rules and regulations . II. SCOPE: All members III. DISCUSS ION: The maintenance of order and discipline within a law enforcement agency depends on members having a clear understanding of what types of behavior and conduct are expected from them. Adherence to rules and regulations governing members ’ conduct is vital to a well -disciplined department. IV. DEFINITIONS: A. Group I Offense - If found in violation of a Group I offense , the member will be subject to five points and the following progressive sanctions occurring withi n 24 months of a first offense. 1. First Offens e - Verbal warning (written) 2. Second Offense - Written reprimand 3. Third Offense – One-to-five-day suspension without pay 4. Fourth Offense – Six-to-fifteen -day suspension without pay or d ismissal B. Group II Offense - If found in violation of a Group II offense , the member will be subject to 10 points and the following progressive sanctions occurring within 24 months of a first offense. 1. First Offense - Written reprimand 2. Second Offense – One-to-five-day suspension without pay 3. Third Offense – Six-to-fifteen -day su spension without pay or dismissal C. Group III Offense - If found in violation of a Group III offense , the member will be subject to 15 points and the following progressive sanctions occurring within 24 months of a first offense. 1. First Offense – One-to-five-day suspension without pay 2. Second Offense – Six-to-fifteen -day suspension without pay or d ismissal General Order B -3 Page 2 of 10 Rules of Con duct D. Group IV Offense - If found in violation of a Group IV offense , the member will be subject to 20 points and the following progressive sanctions occurring w ithin 24 months of a first offense. 1. First Offense – Six-to-fifteen -day suspension without pay 2. Second Offense – dismissal E. Group V Offense - If found in violation of a Group V offense , the member will be subject to 35 points . 1. First Offense - Dismissal F. Dismissal Requirements - If the member is dismissed from employment , the member will receive in writing , the reason for dismissal, the effective date of dismissal , and a statement outlining the employee’s rights. V. RULES & PROCEDURES : A. Violation of Rules & Pr ocedures 1. Members shall not commit any acts or omit any acts which constitute a violation of any rules, regulations, directives, or orders of the department, whether stated in this directive or elsewhere. Ignorance of the rules, regulations, directives, ord ers, or policies shall not be considered justification for any such violations. Members shall be responsible for their own acts and shall not shift to others the burden of responsibility for executing or failing to execute a lawful order or police duty. Discipline for the violations of rules may range from verbal warnings to dismissal. 2. Disciplinary recommendations may be initiated by the affected member’s supervisor or by a member of the department who is of a higher rank or position and is in the affected member’s chain of command as outlined in the department organizational chart. Ultimately, the disciplinary recommendation will be forwarded to the affected member’s division commander for review and then to the chief of police for the final authorization for discipline. Any disciplinary action from verbal warnings to dismissal will be issued by the chief of police through the affected member’s chain of command. Informal i ndividual counseling may be conducted by any supervisor or team leader . Any supervisor or team leader may enter comments arising out of counseling or discipline into the affected member’s performance evaluation. B. Application of the City Rules and Regulations 1. In accordance with Article I, Section II of the Law Enforcement Officer Labor Agree ments between the City of Temple Terrace and the master sergeants , sergeants , master corporals, corporals, master police officers, detectives , and police officers, the police department rules of conduct contained herein shall be considered first whenever d isciplinary sanctions effecting the previously mentioned officer classifications are being contemplated . In the event of a conflict or omission in any section, the city rules and regulations shall prevail . 2. The listing below is referenced by a group number as defined above. This listing does not preclude disciplinary action for other violations on the same level and severity. For each group and for each rule consideration will be given to the severity of the misconduct, the cost involved, the length of time between violations, the length and quality of employment, and the employee