I. AUTHORITY

This policy is issued under authority granted to the Chief Probation Officer.

II. PURPOSE

The purpose of this policy is to establish the use of Departmental identification, including badges and identification cards. Department badges and identification cards, as well as the likeness of these items are the property of the Department.

III. APPLICABILITY

This policy applies to all Department employees and interns who require official identification

IV. BACKGROUND

Badges patches, logos, and identification cards are issued to establish the identity, authority, and employment relationship of the employee.  Badges patches, logos, and identification cards, as well as the likeness of these items, shall be used appropriately and displayed in a professional manner. 

V. GENERAL POLICY

1. The duty badge shall be issued by the Chief Probation Officer to sworn officers at the time of employment as a symbol of authority and for official use only.  
   1. Deputy Probation Officers shall receive a wallet (flat) badge and a duty badge.
   2. Juvenile Services Officers shall receive a duty badge.
   3. Sworn personnel shall display their badge on their person in all Department offices during business hours.  Badges shall be clearly visible when on-duty.
   4. No badge shall be utilized in any manner which is not authorized by the Chief Probation Officer or be shown for the purposes of gaining special consideration, personal gain, or benefit.
   5. The Chief’s Executive Assistant shall keep a master list of all issued badges.   Lost/stolen badges shall be reported immediately by the officer to their supervisor or Chief Deputy. A lost/stolen badges shall also be reported to the law enforcement agency of jurisdiction where the loss occurred.
   6. A written incident report, of the circumstances pertaining to the lost/stolen badge, shall be submitted to the Assistant Chief Probation Officer via the chain of command no later than the next business day.
   7. Upon approval of the Chief, sworn officers may purchase their previous rank duty badge(s) upon promotion, at their own expense.
   8. Badges which are purchased and later lost or stolen shall be reported to the law enforcement agency of jurisdiction where the loss occurred and to the officer’s Supervising Deputy Probation Officer (SDPO) or Chief Deputy immediately.
   9. The SDPO or Chief Deputy shall immediately report the lost/stolen badge to the Assistant Chief.  The Assistant Chief or their designee will notify the Chief’s Executive Assistant as soon as possible so the lost/stolen badge can be logged and if necessary, entered in the California Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (CLETS).
   10. Badges which are purchased pursuant to this provision shall not be worn by or displayed on any person, shall not be sold to any third party, and shall not be used or allowed to be used for any purpose other than as private memorabilia.
2. Identification cards:  Identification cards will be issued to all employees, interns, and volunteers at the time of employment and shall be used for official purposes only. 
   1. Identification cards shall be issued using an employee’s true legal name as presented on a state or federal issued ID or passport.
   2. Loss of an identification card shall be reported immediately by the employee to their supervisor or Chief Deputy/Departmental Administrator.
   3. Administrative Professional staff shall display their identification cards on their persons in all Department offices during business hours, except at Juvenile Hall.  Identification cards shall be clearly visible when in the office during business hours.
   4. Identification cards may be worn from the neck with a breakaway lanyard issued by the Department.
   5. Probation staff shall not display their identification card outside of Probation Department offices unless acting in an official capacity as an agent of the Probation Department.
   6. Identification cards may be used to verify employment when required by others in the normal course of business, for participation in County-approved benefits or discount programs, or to verify legal authority when carrying a personally owned and concealed firearm.
   7. Permission for sworn personnel to use the Department identification card to verify legal authority to carry a concealed firearm does not grant off-duty concealed carry of a Department-owned firearm, nor shall it be interpreted or construed to endorse carrying of a concealed firearm while off-duty.
3. Patches/Logos and Special Insignias:
   1. Only patches/logos approved by the Chief Probation Officer may be displayed or worn by employees while on-duty or otherwise acting in an official capacity.
   2. The Department shall purchase approved patches, logos, and special insignias to be displayed or worn by employees.
   3. Any request to modify an approved patch/logo shall be submitted to the Chief Probation Officer in writing.
4. Mourning Bands
   1. Approved mourning bands are a solid black band that fits tightly around the badge.
   2. The mourning band should be worn from 11 to 5, as if looking at the face of a clock.
   3. Black mourning bands shall be worn on the Department badge only in the following circumstances:
      • Upon the line of duty death of an active Department peace officer.  The mourning band should be worn for a period of thirty (30) days from the date of death.
      • When attending the funeral of an active law enforcement officer (LEO).  Upon completion of the funeral, the mourning band shall be removed.
      • Upon the line of duty death of a LEO from a neighboring jurisdiction.  The mourning band will be worn from the date of death and removed at the conclusion of the day of burial.
      •  National Peace Officers Memorial Day (May 15th).
      • The day of any memorial service the Department participates in that recognizes National Peace Officers Memorial Day.
      • At the direction of the Chief Probation Officer, when special circumstances dictate that a display of the mourning band is appropriate.
5. Officer Retiree Duty Badge
   1. Upon approval of the Chief Probation Officer, an honorably retired officer may, at their own expense, purchase their assigned duty and flat badge for use only as private memorabilia.  Purchased badges pursuant to this provision shall not be worn by or displayed on any person, shall not be sold to any third party, and shall not be used or allowed to be used for any purpose other than as private memorabilia.
   2. A retiree’s purchased duty badge shall be mounted on a plaque provided by the San Luis Obispo County Probation Peace Officers Association (SLOPPOA), unless the retiree requests it not be affixed to a plaque.
   3. A badge issued to an honorably retired peace officer that is not affixed to a plaque or other memento commemorating the retiree’s service, the words “Honorably Retired” shall be clearly visible above or underneath the badge

 

VI. EXCLUSIVITY

This policy will remain in effect until superseded or suspended in writing by the Chief Probation Officer and can be reviewed as needed.