Florida Police Officer Requirements – 4

Principle Four

Police officers shall not, whether on or off duty, exhibit any conduct which discredits themselves or their Department or otherwise impairs their ability or that of other officers or the Department to provide law enforcement services to the community.

Rationale

A police officer’s ability to perform his or her duties is dependent upon the respect and confidence communities have for the officer and law enforcement officers in general. Police officers must conduct themselves in a manner consistent with the integrity and trustworthiness expected of them by the public.

Rules

4.1 Police officers shall not consume alcoholic beverages or chemical substances, while on duty, except as permitted in the performance of official duties, and under no circumstances while in uniform, except as provided for in Rule 4.3 below.

4.2 Police officers shall not consume alcoholic beverages to the extent the officer would be rendered unfit for the officer’s next scheduled shift. A police officer shall not report for work with the odor of an alcoholic beverage on the officer’s breath.

4.3 Police officers shall not use narcotics, hallucinogens, or other controlled substances except when legally prescribed. When medications are prescribed, the officer shall inquire of the prescribing physician whether the medication will impair the officer in the performance off the officer’s duties. The officer shall immediately notify the officer’s supervisor if a prescribed medication is likely to impair the officer’s performance during the officer’s next scheduled shift.

4.4 Police officers, while on duty, shall not commit any act which, as defined under Florida law, constitutes sexual harassment, including but not limited to, making unwelcome sexual advances, requesting sexual favors, engaging in sexually motivated physical contact or other verbal or physical conduct or communication of a sexual nature.

4.5 Police officers, while off duty, shall not engage in any conduct which the officer knows, or reasonably should know, constitutes an unwelcome sexual advance or request for sexual favor, or unwelcome sexually motivated physical contact or other unwelcome verbal or physical conduct or communication of a sexual nature.

4.6 Police officers shall not commit any acts which, as defined under Florida law, constitute sexual assault or indecent exposure. Sexual assault does not include a frisk or other search done in accordance with proper police procedures.

4.7 Police officers shall not commit any acts which, as defined under Florida law, constitute (1) domestic violence and/or stalking, or (2) the violation of a court order restraining the officer from committing an act of domestic violence, having contact with the petitioner, or excluding the police officer from the petitioner’s home or workplace.

4.8 Police officers shall not, in the course of performing their duties, engage in any sexual contact or conduct constituting lewd behavior, including but not limited to, showering or receiving a massage in the nude, exposing themselves or otherwise making physical contact with the nude or partially nude body of any person, except as pursuant to a written policy of the Department.

4.9 Police officers shall avoid regular personal associations with persons who are known to engage in criminal activity where such associations will undermine the public trust and confidence in the officer or Department. This rule does not prohibit those associations that are necessary to the performance of official duties, or where such associations are unavoidable because of the officer’s personal or family relationships.