Code of Conduct

The intent and purpose of this policy is to establish guidelines stipulating the department’s code of conduct.  The right is reserved to amend or revoke any part of this code or to add additional sections from time to time as the circumstances, or the welfare of the department may require.

Policy: Code of Conduct

Author: Chief Joseph M. Hallman

WILEAG Standard: N/A

Issue Date: August 13, 1996

Reviewed Date: March 24, 2026

Revised Date: March 24, 2026

 

Purpose:

The intent and purpose of this policy is to establish guidelines stipulating the department’s code of conduct.  The right is reserved to amend or revoke any part of this code or to add additional sections from time to time as the circumstances, or the welfare of the department may require.  Any violation of this code may the subject of written disciplinary charges or higher sanctions if warranted, against any member or employee responsible for the violation, as may be directed by the Chief of Police.  These standards are mandates.  When members of the department violate them, they should expect corrective action, discipline, or even termination.  Members of this department will understand that no arbitrary rules can be established which will embrace all cases arising in the general discharge of their duties; something must necessarily be left to the intelligence and direction of the individual, but if that discretion is used in a wanton or improper manner, members shall be answerable to a higher authority.

Policy:

It is the policy of this department to recognize the overall professional conduct of its employees and each employee shall be issued a copy of this Code of Conduct. These rules, regulations, and codes of conduct are explicit and will be enforced as such. All employees shall become familiar and comply with these Codes of Conduct. Ranking officers shall determine if just cause exists to discipline sworn police officers. Just cause exists when there is a reason for the action taken and the reason is neither arbitrary nor capricious and is supported by a thorough and accurate investigation of the alleged misconduct. Therefore, discipline must be based upon the concept, which recognizes the officer’s rights under due process and the severity of discipline meets the severity of misconduct.

Definitions:

1. Conduct unbecoming of a police employee- is defined as conduct that includes, but is not limited to:
   1. Conduct which adversely effects the morale or efficiency of the Department;
   2. Conduct which has a tendency to diminish the public’s respect for police employees;
   3. Conduct which has a tendency to diminish the public’s confidence in the operation of the police department;
   4. Conduct which adversely effects the prompt and efficient delivery of police services;
2. Police Employees- Any person employed by the University Police Department, both sworn and civilian.

Procedures:

1. Universal standards of employers/employees
   1. Employer’s standards to be met by employees
      1. Be available for work and be on time
      2. Provide a full day’s work
      3. Respond in a positive manner to management’s directives
      4. Adjust to change, and learn present as well as new job duties
      5. Get along with others, and strive to work in harmony
      6. Know and follow rules and regulations
      7. Be physically and mentally fit for duty
   2. Employees’ standards to be met by employer
      1. Provide a fair investigation to determine facts
      2. Ability to question facts, and present a defense
      3. Ability to appeal a disciplinary action
      4. Provide progressive discipline, unless serious infractions call for summary discharge
      5. Sound management practices to ensure job security
      6. Adequate training and direction
      7. Fair promotion process
2. Duties of All members of the Department
   1. Police employees shall conduct themselves at all times, both on and off duty, in such a manner so as not to bring discredit upon the Police Department.
   2. Police employees shall respond to any evident need for police service, whether during specifically assigned duty hours or not, and shall always render the highest order of police service possible to all persons.
   3. Police employees shall be courteous to the public. Police employees shall attempt to be tactful in the performance of their duties, shall attempt to control their tempers, shall exercise the utmost patience and discretion, and shall attempt to avoid argumentative discussions. In the performance of their duties, police employees shall not use coarse, violent, profane or insolent language or gestures and shall not express any prejudice concerning race, religion, sex, politics, national origin, lifestyle or similar personal characteristics.
   4. Police employees shall devote themselves to the attainment of department’s mission, vision, and department goals.
   5. Police employees shall maintain a neat, clean, business-like appearance during all specified duty hours and during court appearances, unless specifically instructed by a superior officer to do otherwise, (see Uniform and Appearance Policy).
   6. Police employees shall give their name, and badge number, in a respectful manner to any person who requests, except when authorized by a supervisor as being dangerous to their safety or to an investigation.  Nametags shall be worn by all on-duty, uniformed police officers. 
   7. Off-duty Police Officers identifying themselves as a police officer shall immediately present their badge and identification card to any person on request.
   8. Police Officers shall wear the official uniform and equipment in the prescribed manner while on duty.
   9. Police employees shall maintain a telephone at their residence and/or a valid cellular telephone, and notify the department of any change of address and telephone listing.
   10. Police employees shall provide for the safety, well-being, and protection of the civil rights of all persons coming into their custody.
   11. Police employees shall obey all ordinances of the City of Platteville, all University of Wisconsin System Chapter 18 statutes, all State of Wisconsin laws, and all laws of the United States of America. 
   12. Police employees shall notify the Chief of Police of a serious crime or major disaster in which UW-Platteville Police employees are officially involved. If the Chief of Police cannot be reached immediately, contact the Sergeant.  If the Sergeant is unavailable, the senior officer shall notify a supervisor as soon as possible.
   13. Police employees shall advise either the Chief or the Sergeant whenever equipment or police property is damaged or missing to assure prompt replacement or repair.
   14. Police employees, who, intentionally, through misconduct or inattention, damage or lose department property, whether or not that property was specifically assigned to their care and custody, may be held responsible for its repair or replacement.
   15. Police employees shall not use or keep department property, or property held for safekeeping or seized as evidence for personal business or pleasure.
   16. Police employees shall inventory and process all property seized, recovered, or received by the police department in accordance with established department policy.
   17. Police employees shall obey any lawful order or command of a supervisor, written or oral. This includes orders relayed from a superior police employee by another police employee. (Note: A police employee receiving a conflicting order is expected to inform the person issuing the order of the conflict. If the order is not retracted or changed, the order shall stand. Under these circumstances, the responsibility for the conflict shall rest with the superior police employee. In the case of an illegal order, the police employee shall not obey any order, which he/she knows or should know to be illegal. If in doubt, the police employee shall request the issuing police employee to clarify the order or to confer with higher authority.)
   18. Police employees shall observe the proper chain of command at all times as established by department orders, recognizing the authority of any officer placed in a temporary position of command and supervision.
   19. Police employees, when placed in a temporary or acting command or supervisory position, exercise the authority and perform the duties of such position, being careful not to countermand any proper order of the person whose place they occupy.
   20. Police employees shall not publicly criticize or ridicule the Department, its policies or other Police employees by speech, writing or other expression, where such communication is defamatory, obscene, unlawful, or undermines the effectiveness of the Department, interferes with the maintenance of discipline or is made with reckless disregard for truth.
   21. Police employees shall not aid persons to escape arrest or avoid prosecution
   22. Police employees shall not permit a prisoner to escape by carelessness or negligence.
   23. Police employees will not intentionally make or sign any false, misleading or inaccurate statement.
   24. Police employees shall execute the lawful orders of courts and make proper service of legal notices.
   25. Police employees shall maintain sufficient competency to perform their duties and assume the responsibilities of their position.
   26. Police employees shall perform their duties in a manner, which will maintain the highest standards of efficiency in carrying out the functions and objectives of the Department.
   27. All employees shall be properly equipped and cognizant of information required for the proper performance of duty so that they may immediately assume their duties.
   28. Judicial subpoenas or departmental messages about court appearances shall constitute an order to report for duty under this Section. Police employees shall not be absent from duty without approved leave.
   29. Off-duty police employees shall not consume in public view any beverage containing alcohol or enter a place where any beverages containing alcohol are sold or kept while in uniform or any identifiable part thereof that is visible to the public.
   30. Police employees shall not falsely report themselves ill or injured, or otherwise deceive or attempt to deceive, any employee of the Department as to the condition of their health or availability for duty.
   31. Police employees shall not provide confidential information to any person outside the department without prior approval.
   32. Police employees shall use necessary or reasonable force. All force shall be used in accordance with legal and professional standards and in accordance with department policy and thoroughly documented.
   33. Police employees shall obtain all pertinent information in an official and courteous manner when any person asks for assistance, advice or makes a complaint to the police employee. The complaint shall be properly and judiciously acted upon consistent with established procedures and services.
   34. Police employees shall provide services and conduct police investigations to the extent and limitation of their authority.
   35. Police employees shall not interfere with cases being investigated by other police employees of the Department or by any other governmental agency unless ordered to intervene by a superior police employee.
   36. Police employees shall not solicit special privileges or use their position for personal gain or private advantage.
   37. No member shall allow unauthorized persons to linger, enter, or loiter around the police department, police vehicles, crime scenes, or other places except to further efficient and effective police operations.
   38. Police employees shall truthfully answer any question related to the performance or execution of duties of the member and operations of the department which may be asked of them by the Chief of Police, the Chief's designee or by a senior officer.
   39.    Police employees must provide the Chief of Police with the name, address and phone number of a person to notify in the case of injury or illness.
   40. Police employees wishing to leave the police department in good standing shall submit a letter of resignation to the Chief of Police at least ten (10) working days before his/her last day of work.
3. Rules of Conduct- In the addition to the positive requirements of the foregoing paragraphs, the following rules of conduct sets forth certain acts or omissions, which are expressly forbidden to any Police employee of the UW-Platteville Police Department.
   1. Violation of any ordinance of the City of Platteville, University of Wisconsin System Chapter 18 statutes, law of the State of Wisconsin, or law of the United States of America.
   2. Any action or conduct which impedes the department’s efforts to achieve its goals, or which brings discredit upon the department.
   3. Any conduct or action taken to use official position or authority as a police officer for influence or personal gain.
   4. Failure to obey any proper or lawful order or failure to perform any assigned duty.
   5. Insubordination or disrespect toward a superior officer.
   6. Maltreatment of any person within the officer’s scope of authority.
   7. Any violation of a person’s civil rights.
   8. Incompetency or inefficiency in the performance of any assigned duty.
   9. Sleeping on duty.
   10. Frivolous, spurious, or groundless complaints against other employees shall not be permitted.
   11. Failure to provide adequate security and proper care for department equipment.
   12. Failure to dress for duty as assigned.
   13. Deliberately making false statement either written or oral.
   14. Reporting for duty with the odor of alcoholic beverages on the breath, or drinking alcoholic beverages while on duty, unless under special assignment. (Note: A police employee is violating this section when the employee has a blood alcohol concentration of more than 0.00% by weight of alcohol in the employee's blood or more than 0.0 grams of alcohol in 210 liters of that employee's breath.)
   15. Reporting for duty while under the influence of a controlled substance, without a prescription and prior written approval.
   16. Transporting alcoholic beverages in a police squad except in the performance of a police duty.
   17. Failure to take the necessary action to enforce UW System Chapter 18 code, statutes, and laws in force on campus.
   18. Being absent from duty without authorization.
   19. Leaving duty assignment without proper authorization or relief.
   20. Permitting any person not on official police business to ride in a department squad unless authorized.
   21. Disseminate, release, alter, conceal, falsify, destroy, remove, tamper with, or erase any entry in any official record or document.
   22. Recommend or suggest in any manner the use of a particular product or professional or commercial service for personal gain.
   23. Solicit or accept a bribe, gratuity, or reward. (Note: Unsolicited gifts to the entire department such as food or non-alcoholic beverages for consumption while on duty and at the police department is acceptable.)
   24. Cower before danger, shirk responsibility, or otherwise commit an act of cowardice.
4. Off Duty Employment
   1. Employees of the University of Wisconsin-Platteville Police Department are permitted to engage in part time employment, only if it does not interfere with the ability to perform departmental duties.
      1. Part-time employment should not be in conflict with the best interests of this department.  Factors considered in determining whether other employment will be approved include:
         1. The nature of the employment including hours, location, and the personal and professional hazards involved.
         2. The anticipated effect the employment will have on the officer’s ability to perform his/her departmental duties.

2. Procedure
   1. Officers contemplating off-duty employment must submit in writing to the Chief of Police a request for permission to work off-duty.  Such a request must contain the following:
      1. Employer’s name
      2. Employer’s address and phone number
      3. Name of immediate supervisor
      4. Dates and hours of employment
      5. A statement that the prospective employer understands and accepts this department’s prior right to an officer’s services, including overtime assignments.

5. Political Activity
   1. Department employees have the right to vote as they may choose and to express their opinions on all political subjects and candidates.  In addition, all departmental employees are governed by any and all political restrictions or regulations applicable to University employees.  (Guidance on Political Campaign Activities at University of Wisconsin System Institutions).
   2. Officers, while on duty, are forbidden to engage in any political activities.
   3. If an officer, who is a classified civil service employee, declares an intention to run for partisan political office, the officer will be given a leave of absence for the duration of the election campaign, under state statute §230.40.
   4. If an officer, who is a classified employee, is elected to a partisan political office, the officer will separate from classified service on assuming the duties of the elected office, per state statute §230.40.