RELEASE_20170329_T031548Fresno County Sheriff - Coroner's Office
Policy Manual
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2017/03/29, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Fresno County Sheriff -
Coroner's Office
Blank for Chief’s Preface - 1
BLANK FOR CHIEF’S PREFACE
Fresno County Sheriff - Coroner's Office
Policy Manual
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2017/03/29, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Fresno County Sheriff -
Coroner's Office
Law Enforcement Code of Ethics - 2
LAW 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 department. 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 police service. I will never engage in acts of corruption
or bribery, nor will I condone such acts by other police 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.
Fresno County Sheriff - Coroner's Office
Policy Manual
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2017/03/29, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Fresno County Sheriff -
Coroner's Office
Blank for Mission Statement - 3
BLANK FOR MISSION STATEMENT
Fresno County Sheriff - Coroner's Office
Policy Manual
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2017/03/29, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Fresno County Sheriff -
Coroner's Office
Table of Contents - 4
Table of Contents
Blank for Chief’s Preface .................... 1
Law Enforcement Code of Ethics .................. 2
Blank for Mission Statement ................... 3
Chapter 1 - Law Enforcement Role and Authority ............ 5
100 - Law Enforcement Authority .................. 6
101 - Chief Executive Officer ................... 9
103 - Policy Manual ..................... 10
Attachments .......................
Fresno County Sheriff - Coroner's Office
Policy Manual
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Published with permission by Fresno County Sheriff -
Coroner's Office
Law Enforcement Role and Authority - 5
Chapter 1 - Law Enforcement Role and Authority
Policy
100
Fresno County Sheriff - Coroner's Office
Policy Manual
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Law Enforcement Authority - 6
Law Enforcement Authority
100.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
The purpose of this policy is to affirm the authority of the members of the Fresno County Sheriff -
Coroner's Office to perform their functions based on established legal authority.
100.2 PEACE OFFICER POWERS
Sworn members of this office are authorized to exercise peace officer powers pursuant to
applicable state law (Penal Code § 830.1 et seq.).
100.2.1 OREGON AUTHORITY
Sworn members of this office who enter the state of Oregon in order to provide or attempt to
provide law enforcement assistance have Oregon peace officer authority within 50 miles from
the California-Oregon border (ORS 133.405). Such authority shall only apply when deputies are
acting:
(a)In response to a request for law enforcement assistance initiated by an Oregon sheriff,
constable, marshal, municipal police officer or member of the Oregon State Police.
(b)In response to a reasonable belief that emergency law enforcement assistance is necessary
to preserve life, and circumstances make it impractical for Oregon law enforcement officials
to formally request assistance.
(c)For the purpose of assisting Oregon law enforcement officials with emergency assistance
in response to criminal activity, traffic accidents, emergency incidents or other similar public
safety situations, regardless of whether an Oregon law enforcement official is present at the
scene of the incident.
Fresno County Sheriff - Coroner's Office deputies have no authority to enforce Oregon traffic or
motor vehicle laws.
Whenever practicable, deputies should seek permission from an office supervisor before entering
Oregon to provide law enforcement services. As soon as practicable, deputies exercising law
enforcement authority in Oregon shall submit any appropriate written reports concerning the
incident to the Oregon agency having primary jurisdiction over the area in which the incident
occurred.
100.2.2 ARREST AUTHORITY OUTSIDE THE JURISDICTION OF THE FRESNO COUNTY
SHERIFF - CORONER'S OFFICE
On-duty arrests will not generally be made outside the jurisdiction of this department except in
cases of hot or fresh pursuit, while following up on crimes committed with the County or while
assisting another agency. On-duty deputies who discover criminal activity outside the jurisdiction
of the County should, when circumstances permit, consider contacting the agency having primary
jurisdiction before attempting an arrest.
Fresno County Sheriff - Coroner's Office
Policy Manual
Law Enforcement Authority
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Law Enforcement Authority - 7
When a deputy makes an out-of-county arrest pursuant to a warrant, the deputy shall inform the
arrestee of the right to be taken before a magistrate in that county (Penal Code § 821; Penal
Code § 822).
100.2.3 ARREST AUTHORITY WITHIN THE JURISDICTION OF THE FRESNO COUNTY
SHERIFF - CORONER'S OFFICE
The arrest authority within the State of California is as follows (Penal Code § 830.1):
(a)As to any public offense committed or which there is probable cause to believe has been
committed within the jurisdiction of the Fresno County Sheriff - Coroner's Office.
(b)Where the peace officer has the consent of the Sheriff.
(c)As to any public offense committed or which there is probable cause to believe has been
committed in the deputy’s presence and there is immediate danger to a person or property,
or of the escape of the perpetrator of the offense.
(d)Arrest pursuant to a warrant.
1.For out-of-county warrants, the arresting deputy shall inform the arrestee, in writing
without delay, of the right to be taken before a magistrate in this county (Penal Code
§ 821; Penal Code § 822):
100.3 POLICY
It is the policy of the Fresno County Sheriff - Coroner's Office to limit its members to only exercise
the authority granted to them by law.
While this department recognizes the power of peace officers to make arrests and take other
enforcement action, deputies are encouraged to use sound discretion in the enforcement of the
law. This department does not tolerate the abuse of law enforcement authority.
100.4 CONSTITUTIONAL REQUIREMENTS
All members shall observe and comply with every person’s clearly established rights under the
United States and California Constitutions.
100.5 INTERSTATE PEACE OFFICER POWERS
Peace officer powers may be extended to other states:
(a)As applicable under interstate compacts, memorandums of understanding or mutual aid
agreements in compliance with the laws of each state.
(b)When a deputy enters an adjoining state in close or fresh pursuit of a person believed to
have committed a felony (ARS § 13-3832; NRS 171.158; ORS 133.430).
The person arrested out of state must be taken without unnecessary delay before a magistrate of
the county in which the arrest was made (ARS § 13-3833; NRS 171.158; ORS 133.440).
Peace officers of another state who enter the State of California in fresh pursuit to arrest a person
who has committed a felony in the other state have the same authority to arrest and hold in custody
Fresno County Sheriff - Coroner's Office
Policy Manual
Law Enforcement Authority
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Coroner's Office
Law Enforcement Authority - 8
such person as peace officers of this state have to arrest and hold a person in custody (Penal
Code § 852.2).
Policy
101
Fresno County Sheriff - Coroner's Office
Policy Manual
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Chief Executive Officer - 9
Chief Executive Officer
101.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
The California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) has mandated that
all sworn officers and dispatchers employed within the State of California shall receive certification
by POST within prescribed time periods. The Sheriff-Coroner is the Chief Executive Officer.
101.1.1 CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER REQUIREMENTS
Any chief executive officer of this office appointed after January 1, 1999, shall, as a condition of
continued employment, complete the course of training prescribed by POST and obtain the Basic
Certificate by POST within two years of appointment (Penal Code § 832.4).
Policy
103
Fresno County Sheriff - Coroner's Office
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Coroner's Office
Policy Manual - 10
Policy Manual
103.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
The manual of the Fresno County Sheriff - Coroner's Office is hereby established and shall be
referred to as the Policy Manual or the manual. The manual is a statement of the current policies,
rules and guidelines of this department. All members are to conform to the provisions of this
manual.
All prior and existing manuals, orders and regulations that are in conflict with this manual are
rescinded, except to the extent that portions of existing manuals, procedures, orders and other
regulations that have not been included herein shall remain in effect, provided that they do not
conflict with the provisions of this manual.
103.2 POLICY
Except where otherwise expressly stated, the provisions of this manual shall be considered
as guidelines. It is recognized that the work of law enforcement is not always predictable and
circumstances may arise which warrant departure from these guidelines. It is the intent of this
manual to be viewed from an objective standard, taking into consideration the sound discretion
entrusted to members of this department under the circumstances reasonably available at the
time of any incident.
103.2.1 DISCLAIMER
The provisions contained in the Policy Manual are not intended to create an employment contract
nor any employment rights or entitlements. The policies contained within this manual are for the
internal use of the Fresno County Sheriff - Coroner's Office and shall not be construed to create
a higher standard or duty of care for civil or criminal liability against the County, its officials or
members. Violations of any provision of any policy contained within this manual shall only form
the basis for department administrative action, training or discipline. The Fresno County Sheriff -
Coroner's Office reserves the right to revise any policy content, in whole or in part.
103.3 AUTHORITY
The Sheriff shall be considered the ultimate authority for the content and adoption of the provisions
of this manual and shall ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state and local laws. The
Sheriff or the authorized designee is authorized to issue Special Orders, which shall modify those
provisions of the manual to which they pertain. Special Orders shall remain in effect until such
time as they may be permanently incorporated into the manual.
103.4 DEFINITIONS
The following words and terms shall have these assigned meanings throughout the Policy Manual,
unless it is apparent from the content that they have a different meaning:
Adult - Any person 18 years of age or older.
CCR - California Code of Regulations (Example: 15 CCR 1151).
Fresno County Sheriff - Coroner's Office
Policy Manual
Policy Manual
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Published with permission by Fresno County Sheriff -
Coroner's Office
Policy Manual - 11
CHP- The California Highway Patrol.
CFR - Code of Federal Regulations.
County - The County of Fresno.
Non-sworn - Employees and volunteers who are not sworn peace officers.
Department/FSO - The Fresno County Sheriff - Coroner's Office.
DMV - The Department of Motor Vehicles.
Employee - Any person employed by the Department.
Juvenile- Any person under the age of 18 years.
Manual - The Fresno County Sheriff - Coroner's Office Policy Manual.
May - Indicates a permissive, discretionary or conditional action.
Member - Any person employed or appointed by the Fresno County Sheriff - Coroner's Office,
including:
•Full- and part-time employees
•Sworn peace officers
•Reserve, auxiliary deputies
•Non-sworn employees
•Volunteers.
Deputy - Those employees, regardless of rank, who are sworn peace officers of the Fresno County
Sheriff - Coroner's Office.
On-duty - A member’s status during the period when he/she is actually engaged in the
performance of his/her assigned duties.
Order - A written or verbal instruction issued by a superior.
POST - The California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training.
Rank - The title of the classification held by a deputy.
Shall or will - Indicates a mandatory action.
Should - Indicates a generally required or expected action, absent a rational basis for failing to
conform.
Supervisor - A person in a position of authority that may include responsibility for hiring,
transfer, suspension, promotion, discharge, assignment, reward or discipline of other department
members, directing the work of other members or having the authority to adjust grievances. The
supervisory exercise of authority may not be merely routine or clerical in nature but requires the
use of independent judgment.
Fresno County Sheriff - Coroner's Office
Policy Manual
Policy Manual
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Coroner's Office
Policy Manual - 12
The term "supervisor" may also include any person (e.g., deputy-in-charge, lead or senior worker)
given responsibility for the direction of the work of others without regard to a formal job title, rank
or compensation.
When there is only one department member on-duty, that person may also be the supervisor,
except when circumstances reasonably require the notification or involvement of the member’s
off-duty supervisor or an on-call supervisor.
USC - United States Code.
103.5 ISSUING THE POLICY MANUAL
An electronic version of the Policy Manual will be made available to all members on the department
network for viewing and printing. No changes shall be made to the manual without authorization
from the Sheriff or the authorized designee.
Each member shall acknowledge that he/she has been provided access to, and has had the
opportunity to review the Policy Manual and Special Orders. Members shall seek clarification as
needed from an appropriate supervisor for any provisions that they do not fully understand.
103.6 PERIODIC REVIEW OF THE POLICY MANUAL
The Sheriff will ensure that the Policy Manual is periodically reviewed and updated as necessary.
103.7 REVISIONS TO POLICIES
All revisions to the Policy Manual will be provided to each member on or before the date the policy
becomes effective. Each member will be required to acknowledge that he/she has reviewed the
revisions and shall seek clarification from an appropriate supervisor as needed.
Members are responsible for keeping abreast of all Policy Manual revisions.
Each Bureau Commander will ensure that members under his/her command are aware of any
Policy Manual revision.
All department members suggesting revision of the contents of the Policy Manual shall forward
their written suggestions to their Bureau Commanders, who will consider the recommendations
and forward them to the command staff as appropriate.
Fresno County Sheriff's Office Policy Manual
Policy Manual
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2017/03/29, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Fresno County Sheriff -
Coroner's Office
Index - 13
INDEX
A
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Policy manual............ 12
Policy revisions........... 12
ARRESTS
Authority.............. 7
AUTHORITY .............. 6
Policy manual............ 10
C
CHIEF EXECUTIVE ........... 9
CIVILIAN/NON-SWORN ........ 10
COMMAND STAFF
Policy review............ 12
D
DEFINITIONS ............. 10
DISCLAIMER ............. 10
G
GRIEVANCES
Supervisor authority.......... 10
J
JURISDICTION
Authority.............. 7
L
LAW ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITY .... 6
M
MUTUAL AID
Interstate peace officer powers...... 7
O
OREGON
Authority.............. 6
P
POLICY MANUAL ........... 10
R
REVIEWS
Policy manual............ 12