All members of the Police Department shall treat as confidential the official communications and business of the Department.

No compensation, reward or other consideration from private sources shall be solicited or accepted by members of the Police Department, without special permission from the Chief of Police. Upon receipt of any reward, compensation or consideration, after permission has been granted, a complete report shall be forwarded to the Chief of Police. Members of the Police Department shall not engage in any prize contest or solicit votes or contributions for any such prize contest, or engage either directly or indirectly in the sale of tickets or soliciting the advertisements of business of any nature, without written approval of the Chief of Police.

All members of the Police Department shall refrain from making personal contacts with persons who are engaged in unlawful activity or who are under investigation by a law enforcement agency when such contacts would present an appearance of impropriety, unless necessary to do so in the performance of their duty.

It shall be the duty of every member of the Police Department to promote good public relations by giving assistance when it is requested, by the impartial administration of the law, and by clean, sober, and orderly habits. Every member of the Police Department shall furnish his or her name and identification number to any person who requests this information.

No member of the Police Department shall intentionally violate any law of the United States, the District of Columbia, any state, the County, a county of any other state, or the ordinance of any city or municipality in any state. No member of the Police Department, under any circumstances, shall make any false official statement or intentional misrepresentation of facts. No member of the Police Department shall bring or attempt to bring improper influence to bear upon the Chief of Police for the purpose of securing promotion or transfer or to avoid disciplinary action. No employee of the Police Department shall improperly interfere with the discipline of the Department.

Members of the Police Department shall be punctual in attendance to all calls, requirements of duty, court appointment and other circumstances where time is specified.

Uniformed members of the Police Department, when encountering other uniformed members of this or any other police department, the Governor, officers of the National and State Guard, officers of the United States Army, Navy and Marine Corps shall render the salute in the prescribed manner. This rule shall not apply to plainclothesmen from any bureau or division. They shall only be recognized by uniformed officers when circumstances permit, of which they shall be the judge and shall so indicate by first rendering the salute in the prescribed manner to the uniformed officer, who shall return the salute.

Sworn police officers are held to be always on duty, although periodically relieved from the routine performance thereof. They are subject at all times to orders from the proper authorities and to call by citizens. The fact that they may be off duty shall not be held as relieving them from the responsibility of taking proper police action in any matter coming to their attention requiring such action. While in the County, sworn police officers shall at all times, when apart from their own homes, be armed, unless the carrying of firearms is specifically prohibited, and carry their badge of authority.

Members of the Police Department shall not communicate in any way whatsoever, directly or indirectly, in any manner or form, any information which may enable persons guilty of criminal or quasi-criminal acts to escape arrest or punishment or dispose of or secrete any money or valuables, the proceeds of crime, or to destroy any evidence which would establish guilt.

Members of the Police Department shall not be concerned, directly or indirectly, in making any compromise or arrangements between suspected violators of the law and persons who are alleged to have suffered by their acts.

Members of the Police Department shall not smoke while in uniform in view of the public, or while engaged in any business with the public. They shall not appear in public places with unlighted pipes, cigars or cigarettes in their mouths. Smoking in storerooms and garages shall not be permitted at any time. No member of the Police Department shall unnecessarily loiter in any private or secluded place for the purpose of smoking.

Members of the Police Department shall not in any way participate in any business which might interfere with proper and efficient performance of police duty.

Members of the Police Department shall not by threat or in any manner, directly or indirectly, use their position for the purpose of influencing the lawful business, profession or occupation of any person. They shall not allow any lawful business, profession or occupation of persons to be influenced by their position or acts, to the extent of extending to them privileges that are not enjoyed by all patrons. This rule shall especially apply to business places serving food and drinks.

Members of the Police Department shall make complete typewritten detailed reports on all cases requiring a report, on the prescribed form, before leaving the station upon completion of their tour of duty.

Any member of the Police Department who finds a dead body or learns of a case where death has ensued, without a physician having been in attendance, shall immediately notify the officer in command of the station where the body was found and receive instructions in regard to his further procedure. The officer in charge of such station shall promptly notify the medical examiner and officer in charge of the Bureau of Criminal Investigation and report the details concerning the same to the Chief of Police. Should circumstances indicate the possibility of a crime having been committed, the commanding officer shall also notify the State's Attorney and shall at once note all particulars. He shall not permit disturbances of the body or surroundings. He shall take care to prevent the handling of weapons or other objects presenting smooth surfaces as to obliterate visible or latent fingerprints thereon, and, if necessary, detain for the time being any individuals whose testimony, in his judgment, might be needed in establishing any fact or removing any doubt in connection with the case. He shall arrest any person against whom there exists reasonable suspicion of guilt supported by any fact, circumstances or credible information. He shall make a full report of all facts and details connected with the case.

Members of the Police Department shall report promptly, in writing, to their superior officers any injuries to their persons or any damage to the County property in their charge, irrespective of whom or where such injury or damage occurs. Such report shall be in full detail, giving the names and addresses of all witnesses. If a member of the Department is injured to such an extent that he is physically unable to make such report, his superior officer shall promptly make the report.

When an accident occurs as a result of any defect in public property, or where it appears or is alleged that the County may in any manner be held responsible or liable for an injury to a person or damage to property as a result of such accident, policemen shall make a careful and thorough investigation and report all facts in connection therewith, together with the names and addresses of all witnesses. Such report shall be made promptly and in writing.

Members of the Police Department, while on patrol at night, shall observe vehicles on the streets and shall investigate any suspicious circumstances in connection therewith, making notes of the circumstances for future reference. Members of the Police Department during their tour of duty shall frequently examine the doors, low windows and archways of buildings on their beats or patrol area, to ascertain if they are properly fastened at night. They shall also give vacant houses the same attention during the day. If any are found open they shall report the facts to the station, after steps to secure them have been taken.

Members of the Police Department attending race tracks, either on or off duty, shall not patronize these establishments by visiting the betting windows while in uniform. They shall not display, exhibit or carry, in any manner visible to the public, paraphernalia such as programs, scratch sheets, newspapers, etc., usually displayed by other patrons.

Annual Reporting. No later than September 1st of each year, the Chief of Police shall submit to the County Council a report on vehicle pursuits during the prior fiscal year. The report shall include, but not be limited to, the following: Total number of vehicle pursuits; The reason for each vehicle pursuit; The number of vehicle pursuits that were ceased after initiation; The number of vehicle pursuits that resulted in a collision; The number of vehicle pursuits that resulted in death or injury to an officer or member of the public; The number of vehicle pursuits that were found to be within or outside of Department policy; and Summarized data regarding: location, length and duration of vehicle pursuits; suspect demographics; and collision damage and injuries.

No member of the Police Department shall, without proper authority, release any prisoner in his charge or, through neglect or design, suffer any prisoner in his charge to escape.

All members of the Police Department shall properly secure any property which may have been confiscated or which has otherwise come under their care. Securing of such property shall be carried out pursuant to the provisions of Division 2 of this Subtitle. All members of the Police Department shall, upon impounding any vehicle, make a complete report on the form provided for such action showing that the owner of such vehicle has been notified as to its whereabouts, before leaving the station upon completing his tour of duty. No property shall be released until a proper release is signed by persons authorized to obtain such property, by reason of their showing proof that they are rightfully entitled to have possession of such articles or items. Members of the Police Department, upon their separation for any cause from the Department, shall promptly return to the Department all County property issued them.

No member of the Police Department shall discharge firearms on or off duty, except in the following cases: In self-defense or in the defense of another when no apparent alternative exists for protection from what appears to be a significant and immediate threat of death or serious physical injury. To apprehend a fleeing person when no reasonable alternative for apprehension exists and the officer has probable cause to believe that the person has committed a crime involving the infliction or threatened infliction of serious physical injury and poses an immediate and significant threat of serious physical injury to the officer or to others. To kill a dangerous animal or to kill an animal so badly injured that humanity requires its relief from further suffering. When used in practice on the range. Lawful game hunting. Firearms shall be kept out of reach of the public and shall be secured in appropriate locked containers when not in the immediate possession or control of the sworn police officer. Riot equipment shall be kept under lock and key, in an inconspicuous place, and shall not be displayed to the general public.

Sworn police officers are required at all times to be neat, clean, and well-groomed. Uniform and civilian clothes shall be clean and pressed at all times. Shoes, leather equipment, and brass shall be regularly polished, and sidearms shall be clean and serviceable at all times. No member of the Police Department shall allow another member of the Department or any other person to use his badge or any other of his means of personal identification. Members, when on duty, shall appear in the prescribed uniform or appropriate authorized civilian attire at all times. Members, when attending court or any function where they will represent the Department, shall appear in full uniform or business civilian attire. Any member of the Police Department under suspension, as necessary, shall turn in all County property and equipment before leaving the station to which he is assigned. Uniformed members of the Police Department shall be held responsible for the uniform, motor vehicle, or other equipment issued to them; and, where it is established that this equipment is lost or damaged through the officer's negligence, the officer concerned shall be obligated to replace it at his own expense. Any member of the Police Department losing his badge or other equipment issued to him shall report the facts at once, in writing, to the Chief of Police through official channels. No decoration or insignia shall be worn by any member of the Police Department on the County police uniform unless authorized by the Chief of Police, who will designate where, when, and in what manner the insignia or decoration shall be worn.

All official business transacted by members of the Police Department shall be through official channels. Members of the Police Department shall refer to the Chief of Police all inquiries relating to official orders and shall refrain from discussing with the public any of the general policies of the Department. Information requested in all cases by the press, attorneys, or relatives of injured persons shall be furnished, where a report is available, by the station clerk. Police telephone service is for official business only and shall not be used for personal calls. Members of the Police Department are required to report, in writing, through official channels, any change in their place of residence and telephone number within forty-eight (48) hours after such change. Such reports as may be required to properly administer the affairs of the Police Department or furnish information shall be submitted as covered by orders.