230.20 Department Rules of Conduct

(See General Orders 150.01 through 150.14)

Rules of Conduct:

A member will be held responsible for any act or omission specifically required or prohibited in these and/or other applicable rules or regulations, which in any way is prejudicial to good order or discipline, or reflects upon the good name or reputation of the police department, or adversely affects its interests.

A member is further charged with the duty to conduct themselves at all times in keeping with the code of ethics, and the policy statements of the chief of police; all activity contrary to this concept, whether or not specifically mentioned or prohibited in these rules, may subject a member to disciplinary action.

Members shall maintain a loyalty to the department and their associates as is consistent with the law and department rules and regulations.

Members are strictly charged with establishing and maintaining a high spirit of cooperation within the department.

The following are acts which are prohibited by members of the Saint Paul Police Department:

1. Any conduct or action taken to use the official position for personal gain or influence.

2. Failure to perform a duty imposed by law, Saint Paul City Charter, civil service rules or department of police orders.

3. Disrespect to or willful maltreatment of any person.

4. Making a false report, either written or oral.

5. Drinking alcoholic beverages while on duty or in uniform except when authorized by the chief of police for a specific official assignment, or consume an amount of alcoholic beverage before going on duty that would render the employee unfit for duty or be detectable on the breath of those employees in contact with the public. While on duty or in uniform, enter any tavern or bar, except in performance of police duties, transport, cause or permit to be transported any alcoholic beverages in a police department vehicle or bring, cause to be brought or permit alcoholic beverages into the police buildings, except in the performance of police duties.

6. Failure to promptly submit a written report to their immediate supervisor with knowledge that any employee, including oneself, is under investigation by another law enforcement agency.

7. Officers who learn they are the subject of a protective order, regardless of jurisdiction, shall immediately notify their supervisor and provide the department a current and complete copy of the order. (See General Orders 438.12: Restraining Orders, 438.15: Domestic Abuse Protocol, 454.01: Restraining Orders Filed Against Officers)

8. Failure to promptly report to an immediate supervisor any information concerning involvement in any criminal activity or other unlawful acts.

9. Failure to notify an immediate supervisor of loss of driving privileges.(Executive Order 60:  City of Saint Paul Employee Loss of Driving Privileges.) 

10. Failure to obey department orders concerning other employment, occupation or profession. (See General Orders 150.11: Outside Employment and 231.00: Off-Duty Employment)

11. Failure to follow civil service and department rules and procedures on sick leave and injured on duty.

12. Failure to provide the department with a current address (house number and street name) and telephone number.

13. Failure to be prompt for duty assignment, including roll call and court appearance. Employee must report promptly any anticipated absence from duty or that employee will be late reporting for duty to their immediate supervisor.

14. Being absent from duty without proper authorization, or leaving duty assignment without proper relief, unless so authorized by employee’s supervisor.

15. Engage in any public statements, interview, activity, deliberation or discussion pertaining to the department which reasonably can be foreseen to impair the successful apprehension of criminals, or the successful solution or prosecution of any criminal cases, or which would impair the discipline and efficiency of the department.

16. Disseminating, releasing, altering, defacing, removing or personal use of any government data, department record or information concerning police matters except as provided by department orders.< > or cause to be communicated directly or indirectly, any information which may enable a person suspected or charged with a crime to escape from arrest or punishment, or that may enable them to dispose of or secret any property unlawfully obtained.

    Recommend any specific professional or commercial service such as funeral homes, attorneys, bail or bondsmen, towing companies. Except as set forth in General Order 445.00: Towing and Storage Procedures/Authority.

17. Accept or agree to accept anything as payment for personal injury incurred in the line of duty without first notifying the chief of police in writing of the intent to settle the claim.

18. Sleeping on duty.

19. Failure to wear the uniform as prescribed in General Orders 202.01: Personal Appearance through 202.12: Transfer Allowance. Division commanders will issue specific orders for the wearing of uniforms by non-sworn personnel assigned to their division.

20. Engaging directly or indirectly in the ownership, maintenance, or operation of a taxicab, tavern, or retail liquor establishment, except as authorized by the chief of police.

21. Acting as a peace officer of the City of Saint Paul outside the State of Minnesota, except as provided for in the Uniform Act of Fresh Pursuit only after consideration of the tactical situation, or when engaging in extradition proceedings.

22. Unlawful or unnecessary use or display of a weapon.

23. Failure to immediately make a written report of the circumstances whenever force is used or a firearm is discharged, except as set forth in General Order 246.00: Response to Resistance or Aggression.

24. Failure to inventory and process recovered property in conformance with department orders.

25. Failure to give evidence before the grand jury, in court or before any internal police disciplinary or police review board, when properly called upon to do so.

26. Smoking on duty when in view of, or in direct contact with the public, or smoking in the headquarters building, district offices, other off-site department facilities and buildings, or the department’s motor vehicle fleet. Smoking is permitted in cafes and restaurants while eating or on coffee breaks, if permitted by law.

27. Except in the performance of police duty, visit any place wherein they know or suspect that any statute or ordinance is being violated.

28. Undertake self-assigned investigations without notifying immediate supervisor within 24 hours of the beginning of the investigation, except that in unusual cases notification may be made to the internal affairs unit or the chief of police. Self-assigned means action initiated by any member of the department without the request, direction or instruction of a superior officer.

29. Failure to respond without delay to all calls for police assistance from citizens or other members. Emergency calls take precedence; however, all calls shall be answered as soon as possible consistent with normal safety precautions and vehicle laws. Except under the most extraordinary circumstances, or when otherwise directed by competent authority, no member shall fail to answer any communication, verbal, electronic or radio call directed to them. The emergency communication center shall be informed by a member when leaving the air, and when returning to a duty status.

30. Engage in any conduct which constitutes conduct unbecoming an officer or neglect of duty. Assistance: all members are required to take appropriate police action toward aiding a fellow peace officer exposed to danger or in a situation where danger might be impending.

31. Fail as a sworn member of the Saint Paul Department of Police to take appropriate action to protect life and property, preserve the peace, prevent crime, detect and arrest violators of the law, or enforce all federal, state and local laws and ordinances coming within departmental jurisdiction.

32. Giving opinions to suspects as to what fine or penalty they should receive for an offense.

33. Failure, upon request from a citizen, to furnish your name and/or badge number.

34. The badge and cap wreath, to include issued police patches, are the property of the department and City of Saint Paul as set forth in General Order 202.03: Uniform Classes and Rules. No department employee shall display, publish, recreate in any manner, or advertise the use of an official department badge and/or police patch for usage outside the scope of duty. Officers shall not reproduce these items for “non-authorized” personal ventures.

    Revised May 22, 2019