Sheriff's Office

Policy Manual

The Washoe County Sheriff's Office Policy Manual sets forth the current policies, procedures, rules and guidelines of this Office.

Links to the related policies can be found below. The most recent published version of each document will be viewed online on Qualtrax.washoecounty.us.

Printouts of these documents may be out of date and should be considered uncontrolled. 

01 – Law Enforcement Role and Authority

Sheriff’s Preface
Mission and Vision Statement
Law Enforcement Ethics
100 - Law Enforcement Authority
101 - Chief Executive Officer
102 - Oath of Office
103 - Policy Manual

02 – Organization and Administration

200 - Organizational Structure and Responsibility
201 - Departmental Directives and Special Orders
202 - Emergency Management Plan
203 - Training Policy
204 - Electronic Mail, Text Messaging, or Instant Messaging
205 - Administrative Communications
206 - Supervision Staffing Levels
207 - Concealed Firearm Permit
208 - Retired Deputy Concealed Firearm Permit and Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act
209 - Retiree Badges and Identification Cards

03 General Operations

300 - Use of Force
301 - Handcuffing and Restraints
302 - Control Devices and Techniques
303 - Conductive Energy Weapon (CEW)
304 - Firearms
305​- Canine Program
​306 - Search and Seizure
​307 - Hate or Prejudice Crimes
​308 - Report Preparation
​309 - News Media Relations
​310 - Court Appearance and Subpoenas
​311 - Major Incident Notification
​312 - Death Investigation
​313 - Limited English Proficiency Services
​314 - Hearing Impaired/Disabled Communications
​315 - School Employee Arrest Reporting
​316 - Pupil Arrest Reporting
​317 - Chaplains
​318 - Public Safety Camera System
​319 - Body Worn Cameras
​320 - Service Animals
​321 - Volunteer Program
​322 - Watch Commanders
​323 - Seat Belt Procedure
​324 - Social Media

04 Operations Division

​400 - Patrol Function
​401 - Racial/Bias Based Profiling
​402 - Briefing Training ​403 - Crime and Disaster Scene Integrity
​404 - Hostage Negotiations and SWAT
​405 - Ride Along Policy
​406 - Hazardous Material Response
​407 - Hostage and Barricade Incidents
​408 - Response to Bomb Calls
​409 - Mental Illness Commitments
​410 - Citation Releases
​411 - Arrest or Detention of Foreign Nationals
​412 - Rapid Response and Deployment Policy
​413 - Reporting Police Activity Outside of Jurisdiction
​414 - Immigration Violations
​415 - Emergency Utility Service
​417 - Aircraft Accidents
​418 - Field Training Officer Program
​419 - Obtaining Air Support
​420 - Field Interviews and Photographing Detainees
​421 - Criminal Street Gangs
​422 - Mobile Data Terminal Use
​423 - Foot Pursuit Policy
​424 - Automated License Plate Readers
​425 - Persons Experiencing Homelessness
​426 - Peace Officer-Involved Shooting/Fatal Incident
​427 - Vehicle Pursuits
​428 - Deputy Response Calls
​429 - Domestic Violence
​430 - Abuse of Older or Vulnerable Persons
​431- Child Abuse
​432 - Missing Person Reporting
​433 - Public Alerts
​434 - Victim Witness Assistance Program ​435 - Reserve Deputies
​436 - Outside Agency Assistance
​437 - Registered Sex Offender
​438 - Identity Theft
​439 - Child and Dependent Adult Safety Policy
​440 - Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation
​441 - Stratified Policing

05 Traffic Operations

​500 - Traffic Function and Responsibility
​501 - Traffic Collision Response and Reporting
​502 - Vehicle Towing
​503 - Impaired Driving
​504 - Traffic Citations
​505 - Disabled Vehicles
​506 - Abandoned Vehicle and Vessel Violations

06 Investigation Operations

​600 - Investigation and Prosecution
​601 - Sexual Assault Victims' Rights
​602 - Contraband Forfeiture Policy
​603 - Confidential Informants
​604 - Eyewitness Identification

07 Equipment

​700 - Office-Owned and Personal Property
​701 - Personal Communication Devices
​702 - Vehicle Maintenance
​703 - Vehicle Use
​704 - Cash Handling, Security and Management

08 Support Services

​800 - Crime Analysis
​801 - Communication Operations
​802 - Property and Evidence
​803 - Records Section Procedures
​804 - Restoration of Firearm Serial Numbers
​805 - Records Release and Security
​806 - Protected Information
​807 - Computers and Related Digital Evidence

09 Custody

900 - Custody Searches
901 - Prison Rape Elimination Act
902 – Temporary Custody of Juveniles (Pending)

10 Personnel

1000 - Recruitment and Selection
1001 - Evaluation of Employees
1002 - Special Assignment and Transfer Policy
1003 - Hepatitis and HIV Testing
1004 - Reporting of Employee Arrests, Court Proceedings, Court Orders, and Convictions
1005 - Alcohol and Drug Use Policy
1006 - Sick Leave Policy
1007 - Communicable Diseases
1009 - Personnel Complaints
1010 - Body Armor
1011 - Peace Officer Personnel Files
1012 - Request for Change of Assignment
1013 - Employee Commendations (Pending)
1014 - Fitness for Duty
1015 - Meal Periods and Breaks
1016 - Lactation Break Policy
1017 - Timecard Procedures
1018 - Overtime Payment Requests
1019 - Outside Employment
1020 - Special Event Assignments
1021 - On-Duty Injuries
1022 – Personal Appearance Standard
1023 – Uniform Regulations
1024 – Nepotism and Conflicting Relationships
1025 - Office Badges
1026 - Modified Duty Assignments
1027 - Employee Speech, Expression, and Social Networking
1028 - Sexual Harassment, Discrimination, Workplace Violence and Harassment
1029 - Discipline Policy
1030 - Office Technology Use
1031 - Brady Material Disclosure