Policy Text
POLICY
123.0RULES OF CONDUCT
REVISED: 11/2011 RELATED POLICIES:
Reviewed by Chief David Magnuson
4/2019
A.INTRODUCTION
Effective law enforcement depends upon a high degree of cooperation and respect from
the public that is served. The Police Department is the most conspicuous representative
of government and, as such, is a symbol of stability and authority upon which the citizens
can rely. We must be constantly mindful that the people with whom an officer comes
into contact are individuals with varying problems and emotions, but regardless of their
circumstances they are entitled to fair and courteous treatment by Police Department
employees. Proper conduct is not an additional duty imposed on employees, but is
inherent in the police profession. Since any neglect of or divergence from this standard
of conduct reflects unfavorably on the Department and fellow employees, it is incumbent
on all personnel to conduct themselves in an exemplary manner, maintaining the highest
standards of performance, efficiency and competence, which the citizens of our
Community expect and deserve.
The Rules of Conduct contained in this manual are promulgated in addition to the Village
of El Portal Personnel Rules, an existing labor agreement or both. They are adopted for
the administration, management, discipline and disposition of employees of the El Portal
Police Department.
The Rules of Conduct of the El Portal Police Department, including any subsequent
additions, deletions, corrections, or modifications are made applicable to all employees of
the Department unless stated otherwise. In the event of a breach of discipline, it shall be
presumed that the employee had knowledge of and was familiar with any rule, order or
directive of the Department. Violation of any rule may result in disciplinary action.
These Rules of Conduct supersede all other previous Rules of Conduct.
B.DEFINITIONS
1.POLICY: A "policy" is a definite course or method of action selected from
among alternatives, and in light of given conditions, to guide and determine
present and future decision. It is an overall plan embracing the general goals and
acceptable procedures of the Police Department. It is formulated by analyzing
objectives and determining through research those principles, which will best
guide the Department in achieving its objectives. Policy is based upon police
ethics and experience, the desires of the community, and the mandates of the law.
2.PROCEDURE: A "procedure" is a method of performing an operation or a
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Manner of proceeding on a course of action. It differs from policy since it
requires that action be taken in a particular situation to perform a specific task
within the broader guidelines of a policy.
3.RULE: A "rule" is a specific written prohibition or requirement designed to
prevent deviations from policy or procedure.
4.CONDUCT: "Conduct" is an act of personal behavior based on certain
principles.
5.DISCIPLINE: "Discipline" is a form of training dependent for its success on the
ability of superiors to train subordinates to obey and conform to Departmental
Policies, Procedures and Rules.
6.DEPARTMENT: The "Department" is the El Portal Police Department.
7.DIRECTIVE: A "directive" is any rule, regulation, procedure, policy, order,
statement or similar instruction, in writing, issued on the authority of the Chief of
Police and made applicable to any employee of the Department.
8.SUPERVISOR: A "supervisor" is any officer holding rank above that of police
officer, who has authority to oversee the activities of other employees. The term
includes any officer appointed to an acting supervisory capacity and any civilian
Village employee designated as a supervisor.
9.ORDER: An "order" is any lawful instruction or command given by a supervisor
of the Department to another Department employee. This includes any order
relayed to the employee by another employee of the same or lesser rank. The
order may be oral or written.
10.CHAIN OF COMMAND: "Chain of command" means that lines of authority
which provide for a logical flow of policies, orders, reports and information in an
upward direction. In addition to the civilian supervisory structure, the Police
Department has a rank structure of Police Officer, Corporal, Sergeant and Chief.
11.COMMAND PROTOCOL:
a.The normal day-to-day operations of the Police Department are delegated
to members or units within the Department charged with their specific
tasks. Each subdivision of the Department shall function within the
framework as delineated in the Department Organizational Chart. The
Chief of Police is ultimately responsible for normal day-to-day
Department operations.
b.When a planned operation involves two or more subdivisions, the
subdivision supervising the operation will be determined during the
planning stage. The Chief of Police and his/her designee will be in charge
of the operation.
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c.In all exceptional or unplanned spontaneous incidents, the ranking
member present shall be in charge until relieved by a member of the unit
responsible for follow up investigation or conclusion of the case, which
shall be in charge until relieved by a higher ranking member of that unit.
The member in charge will coordinate with the appropriate divisions and
bureaus.
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