3-01/050.86 - Prohibited Associations

Except in the performance of one’s official duties, members shall not knowingly maintain a business or personal relationship or have a direct or indirect association which would be detrimental to the image of the Department.  Examples of prohibited associations include, but are not limited to, associating with people who members know or reasonably should know:

• Have an open and notorious reputation for criminal activity or enterprise; and/or
• Are under criminal investigation or indictment; and/or
• Have pending criminal charges filed against them; and/or
• Are on parole or felony probation; and/or
• Are gang members of a criminal street gang as defined under Penal Code section 186.22 or are members of an organized crime syndicate; and/or
• Are being developed as an informant unless expressly permitted by policy (see section 3-01/110.60); and/or
• Have been convicted of a felony crime; and/or
• Were released from the custody of a law enforcement agency within the preceding 30 days whether convicted or not convicted.  Any members so contacted shall immediately report such contact in a memorandum to the members’ unit commander; and/or
• Criminal registrants.           

Exceptions to this policy require the express written authorization of the member’s unit commander.  There is a presumption that requests to associate with immediate family members will be granted.  However, express written authorization shall still be sought and received.  All requests will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.  The member’s request, accompanied by the unit commander’s response, shall be placed in the member’s unit personnel file and become a permanent part of the member’s personnel file.

A subsequent request shall be submitted anytime the circumstances upon which the original authorization was based change.  Subsequent authorization(s) will be considered on a case-by-case basis.