Rules and Regulations
Rules and Regulations tests the standards of conduct that apply on and off duty, and whether a lieutenant recognizes a rule violation before it becomes a discipline case.
Core standards
- Conduct prejudicial to the good order, efficiency, or reputation of the Department is prohibited even when the underlying act is lawful.
- Truthfulness in reports, testimony, and official statements is a cornerstone obligation.
- Off-duty employment and certain outside activity require prior approval; conflicts and use of police authority for private gain are barred.
- Firearms and equipment rules govern carrying, storage, loss, and reporting.
- Associations and conflicts can trigger review even without an on-duty act.
Supervisor's role
A lieutenant does not adjudicate the rule; he recognizes, reports, preserves evidence, and refers the matter through the chain of command. Discipline is imposed through the Department's process, not by informal punishment on the street.
Worked example: A sergeant reports that an officer, off duty, posted a threatening comment about a protest and wore a department-issued item in the video. The lieutenant should not debate the officer's politics. He should preserve the posts, notify the commanding officer, determine whether a formal complaint or review is required, and ensure the officer is not assigned to the protest pending direction. The key issue is conduct prejudicial and use of Department identification, not the political viewpoint.
Traps
- Assuming off-duty conduct is beyond Department reach.
- Promising confidentiality or leniency without authority.
- Deleting or failing to preserve social-media evidence.
- Treating a lawful act as automatically rule-compliant.