Adams County Sheriff Office’s Standard Operating Procedure

The primary responsibilities as a Deputy are to represent someone who is required and trusted to work within the laws. The duties of a Deputy are to serve the community/citizens, safeguard lives and properties, protect the innocence of the criminal community, keep the peace and preserve all rights bestowed to the citizens of the United States of America.

Deputies shall never be partial when performing any duties. Duties shall be done without favor, affection, any ill without regard to race, sex, religion or aspiration.

All citizens need to be treated equally with consideration and dignity.

Deputies will never allow personal feeling, friendships, family to influence the Code of Conduct. Laws will be enforced appropriately and while carrying out their responsibilities, try to accrue the maximum cooperation from the public as possible. They will conduct themselves in a way that will inspire the confidence, respect for the position. A Deputy will use wise discretion, based on professional competence and will do as much as they can to preserve good relationships and retain the credence and respect of the public.

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A Deputy will never employ unnecessary or unlawful use of force or violence toward a member of the community and will only use such force in the performance of all duties as justifiable in all circumstances. A Deputy will only use the force needed after a discussion, negotiation or persuasion are found to be ineffective. While it may seem unavoidable, every Deputy shall refrain from the unnecessary use of force causing pain or suffering and shall never engage in cruel, degrading or inhuman treatment of an person.

Standard Rules

Chain of Command must be followed at all times. If the command member above you is the one you have an issue you than you are allowed to overstep them, that is the only circumstance you may overstep someone in the CoC. You will then go to the next in command if the one above you is the member you are having an issue with. If CoC is not followed disciplinary action will ensue.

You must be able to follow the rules and commands given by the staff members of this Department. You shall respect them as well as other members of the Department and community, there shall be no bias or disrespect shown towards anyone because of age, race, sex or any other reason. This must be followed at all times or you will face disciplinary actions.

If in a patrol no matter the amount of members you must be in an RTO channel at all times. This is mandatory to ensure realistic Roleplay in the server at all times.

You must be logged into the CAD while on duty in the server. This is also to ensure realism in the server. This will allow you to advise the Dispatcher your status if he/she is busy or out of the channel, or fellow leo if there is no active dispatch in the channel.

You must follow all traffic laws while patrolling. The only exception is if you are responding to a call, when responding to a call you must follow the Code Priority given to you by the dispatcher or requested by the officer over RTO.

You must not use deadly force or any other force on any fellow LEO, Fire or EMS. We have a zero tolerance to this rule especially.

You will never be permitted to go Out of Character or “OOC” while on duty. You shall be setting a good example at all times for not only this department but the community as a whole.

Server, Rules and Regulations must be followed at all times. You are always to uphold the high standards of this department, as well as the community.

If any admin or owner of the community approaches you, you must respond to them no matter the circumstance. If they are ignored you will be kicked from the city.

You must use the vehicle structure that is permitted per your rank. This is not optional and must be followed by all members of this department and this can be found here.

You must also follow the weapons structure that you are permitted per your rank in the department which can be found here.

At all times whether in the server or in the discord you must be able to handle yourself at all times, no matter what is being said.

Daily Tasks While Patrolling

A Deputy’s daily task consists of multiple things. One of the most common duties you will be performing is regular traffic enforcement. You will be patrolling the streets keeping an eye out for violators of the laws. Traffic enforcement will consist of writing tickets, citations, and warnings. You will also be making arrests and transporting suspects to the booking locations. You shall be able to answer and respond to calls throughout the day. You will also be required to speak with dispatch and other officers in and out of RTO in a professional manner, as communication is a important, and a big portion of being a Sheriff Deputy. You will be speaking with and dealing with different problems all shift long and must use advanced communication skills and mannerisms at all times. You must be able to handle your emotions no matter the situations you are faced with.

You will also be required to perform simple medical aid, such as chest compressions, checking pulses, using tourniquets and keeping the patient stable, until medical assistance arrives.

 Pursuit Guidelines and Priority Codes

Pursuit Guidelines:

• Use the 5 minute Pit Timer, make sure the area is relatively clear and be sure to get approval from highest ranking member in pursuit.
• Do not drive in oncoming lanes to chase someone, go to the nearest cross over in the road to get to the other side. Even if you lose them, you don’t want to endangering your life and especially citizens by crossing over.
• Do not ram any vehicles, if you are to box in a vehicle you can make contact but use common sense.
• Be realistic in the terrain or ground your vehicle can go in, don’t take a cruiser in thick, deep mud.
• Going through intersections be aware and be sure the intersection is clear and there is no oncoming traffic that may cause and accident.
• Make sure to keep spacing and awareness at all times during a pursuit so that everyone is as safe as possible.
• While in a pursuit, all four tires must remain on the ground at all times.

Priority Codes:

1. Normal patrol or respond to a call without lights and sirens, follow all traffic laws.
2. A Code 2 response is a response to a call or request for backup where there is mild urgency. This should be intermediate use of lights and sirens, but do not put anyone’s life in danger. This is an urgent call but not so urgent you are irresponsible getting to it.
3. Code 3 is a response to a very dangerous call, this will include a 10-99 call, requesting a Code 5 stop. This response should be full lights and sirens.
4. Code 4 means the situation or scenario has no more risk of danger. This does not mean the scene is over but just lets dispatch and possible Fire and Ems to respond on scene without risk of danger.
5. Code 5 is a Felony or High Risk stop, this requires additions 32s and they will normally respond Code 2 or 3. This is someone who is considered armed and dangerous.

Lethal and Non-Lethal Use of Force

Use of Lethal Force:

Use of Lethal or deadly force should not be a priority of any deputy. Lethal force is not authorized if someone is fleeing from you and not actively a danger to anyone. You are however allowed to use lethal force if the subject(s) are actively harming citizens. Use common sense when using lethal force as it should be the last resort of the deputy.

Use of Non-Lethal Force:

The use of Non-Lethal Force should be what a deputy relies on when determining how to handle a situation. Non-Lethal Force if any force is needed should always be the #1 option. Non-Lethal Force does however have its limits. You should not use any force if a subject or subjects are fleeing and climbing up fences or any type of structure where they could fall and hurt themselves. Non-Lethal Force should not be used in water for purposes of the subject drowning. You should always use this option to calm a situation down before it escalates.

Detainment, Miranda Rights and Arresting Procedures

Detainment:

Detainment is a tactic used keep someone while investigating a crime. This would be where you have a reasonable cause to put someone in restraints to hold them until your investigation is completed. Detaining someone does not necessarily mean they are under arrest. This is so you can hold them until you find whether there is reasonable cause to arrest them. When detaining someone you should search their person to make sure they have nothing illegal or weapons on them. You should ask before searching them, “Do you have anything on you that is going to poke me, stick me or hurt me”. You may only detain someone if you have reasonable cause to do so. They should be searched, especially if you are going to put them in someone’s vehicle.

Miranda Rights:

Miranda Rights are read to one before questioning them. This is giving them the chance to their right to stay silent while being questioned. This ensures before they are interrogated to preserve the admissibility of their statements against them in criminal proceedings. When someone is read their Miranda Rights it should go as stated, “You have the right to remain silent, you have the right to an attorney, if you at any time you may have an attorney with you during questioning can not afford an attorney, one will be provided by the state. Do you understand your rights as I have read them to you?”

Arresting Procedures:

The procedure of placing someone under arrest is only to be done once they have broken a law in the penal code that can be punished by jail time. Before they are jailed they should be notified of the crimes they commited. They should then be processed in the booking part of the jail after transport, then searched again before being placed in their cell.

Traffic Stop Procedures

When pulling a vehicle over after observing them break the law you should light them up and once they pull over, you should pull behind them and face the middle of your patrol vehicle at the driver side rear of there vehicle. This ensure when speaking with them outside of your vehicle if someone swerves over your car is somewhat protecting you being out in the wide open. Once they are fully stopped traffic stops should be notified like this, “(Your callsign) 10-11 when ready, (wait for dispatch to respond) then tell them “I am going to be out (nearest postal code, road then the description of the vehicle you have stopped and how many times the car is occupied). After this you will notify dispatch if an additional units are needed. If you are on a busy road or highway, you should walk up to the passenger side of the vehicle. Once dispatch has been notified of your traffic stop, you should then proceed to the vehicle. Once at the vehicle you should state your rank and name, then ask them for their license, registration and proof of insurance. You should go back to your vehicle and run their name for warrants, validity of their drivers license and insurance. If they do have any warrants you should call for an additional unit to help detain the subject. If they are deserving of a written warning or ticket, write one up and give them their information back and have them sign the ticket or warning if one is issued. You should then tell them, once you are back in your vehicle they are free to leave from the scene.

Chain of Command/Rank Structure

• Administration Staff
• Sheriff
• Command Staff
• Deputy Sheriff – Chief Deputy
• Staff Members
• Major – Captain – Lieutenant
• Staff-In-Training
• Sergeant – Master Deputy
• Deputies
• Senior Deputy – Deputy – Reserve Deputy
• Deputies-In-Training
• Probationary Deputy – Cadet

Chain of Command

• The Chain of Command begins at the rank of Captain, and all the way up to the rank of Sheriff.
• The Chain of Command is the authority that dictates who is in charge and whom has permission and whom shall have permissions and all other authoritative questions must be asked through.
• If someone happens to fail to comply with the Chain of Command, this will result in disciplinary actions.

Uniform/Weapon/Vehicle Structures

Weapons Structure

• Deputies will be supplied with a baton, taser, flashlight and pistol from the armoury.
• Deputies will have a shotgun in the cab of their vehicle.
• Deputies will be equipped with a M4 Automatic Rifle.

Vehicle Structure

• Deputies will be provided vehicles dependent on his/her rank.
• Deputies must follow the Vehicle Structure provided to them.
• Deputies in different subdivisions will be provided separate vehicles.
• If deputies fail to comply they will be met with disciplinary actions.

Uniform Structure

Deputies in the Sheriff’s Office will have the following guidelines:

• Deputies will be authorized to wear different uniforms based on rank
• As well as being in different subdivisions

Promotions/Demotions

Promotions:

• Promotions will be given out on the basis the person is active and the deputy is following the Code of Conduct as well as the Chain of Command.
• Promotions will be based not only on those but also on if the deputy has had any disciplinary action against them.

Demotions:

• Demotions will be given if a deputy has had a disciplinary action against them depending on the severity of the action.
• Demotions will be given if the performance or conduct of a deputy is disregarding the SOP in any way.
• Demotions will be assessed if the deputy hasn’t followed the Chain of Command after several warnings.

Appropriate Driving

Appropriate Driving is a necessity that is needed to be a Deputy in the Sheriff’s Office. Deputies will be required to drive appropriately (speeding, swerving, brake checking, etc). The only way around this is if you are being dispatched to a call and you are requested for immediate response. Reckless Driving will not be tolerated by a Deputy in the Adams County Sheriff’s Office. If these rules are not followed there will be disciplinary actions taken and if there are still Deputies driving inappropriately he/she may not be able to continue their duties in the, Adams County Sheriff’s Office.