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Sheriff's Office Policies
The Washington County Sheriff's Office policies are made available to the public as required by the Minnesota Peace Officer Standards and Training Board.
At the Washington County Sheriff's Office, wearing a uniform and a badge represents public trust and dedication to service. We uphold professionalism and integrity in our conduct and interactions with the community. We value your feedback on our efforts to assist community members.
Training Requirements for Peace Officer
Every year, active peace officers and part-time peace officers are required to complete specific trainings. Training records are maintained by the employing agency. The MN POST Board specifies the learning objectives for the trainings.
Use of Force Training
- Requirement: once per year.
- MN POST Board learning objective: Crisis intervention and mental illness crises.
- This training must follow Washington County's use of force policy.
Emergency Vehicle Operations and Conduct of Police Pursuit
- Requirement: once every five years.
- All officers not declared exempt on the Police Pursuit Training Exemption Form must complete this training.
- Must complete an eight-hour course in emergency vehicle operations.
- MN POST Board learning objective: Conflict and management mediation.
- This training must follow Washington County Sheriff's Office pursuit policy.
Learning Objectives
Minnesota statute requires officers complete at least a cumulative 16 hours of continuing education in:
- Crisis intervention and mental illness crises.
- Conflict management and mediation.
- Recognizing and valuing community diversity and cultural differences to include implicit bias.
Washington County Sheriff's Office Policies
- Policy 1011 Personnel Complaints (PDF)
- Policy 300 Use of Force (PDF)
- Policy 303 Handcuffing and Restraints (PDF)
- Policy 305 Control Devices (PDF)
- Policy 307 Officer Involved Shootings and Deaths (PDF)
- Policy 309 Firearms (PDF)
- Policy 311 Vehicle Pursuits (PDF)
- Policy 316 Domestic Abuse (PDF)
- Policy 322 Adult Abuse (PDF)
- Policy 324 Child Abuse (PDF)
- Policy 327 Hate or Prejudice Crimes (PDF)
- Policy 328 Standards of Conduct (PDF)
- Policy 335 Registered Predatory Offender (PDF)
- Policy 349 Child and Dependent Adult Safety (PDF)
- Policy 402 Bias-Based Policing (PDF)
- Policy 430 Shift Commanders (PDF)
- Policy 431 Squad Video Recorders (PDF)
- Policy 433 Body Worn Audio Video Recorders (PDF)
- Policy 435 Foot Pursuits (PDF)
- Policy 440 Criminal Conduct on School Buses (PDF)
- Policy 441 Response to Reports of Missing Runaway and Endangered Persons (PDF)
- Policy 443 Vehicle Driving Lights (PDF)
- Policy 457 First Amendment Assemblies (PDF)
- Policy 601 Sexual Assault Investigations (PDF)
- Policy 602 Asset Forfeiture (PDF)
- Policy 616 Unmanned Aerial System (PDF)
The Sheriff's Office will review all commendations and complaints.
Commendations
Submit your appreciation or feedback on an employee's service to Washington County.
Complaints
If you believe an employee has violated the Sheriff's standards, you may report any misconduct immediately.
How Complaints Are Resolved
After the investigation is complete, the Sheriff looks at the case file and listens to a summary of the investigation. The investigator will recommend a disposition to the Sheriff following a review of the facts of the case. The Sheriff might take action right away, depending on the situation. In all cases, the Sheriff is the final decision-making authority.
Once the Sheriff renders a final disposition, the complainant will be advised of the case disposition in writing. The possible dispositions are:
- Unfounded: Allegation is false or not factual.
- Not Sustained: Insufficient evidence to prove or disprove the incident.
- Exonerated: Incident occurred but it was lawful and proper.
- Sustained: Allegation is supported by sufficient evidence to justify a reasonable conclusion of guilt.
Discipline of any employee, if the complaint is sustained, may take several forms ranging from counseling to termination.
Although you may be informed of the disposition of your complaint and any actions taken against the employee, your statements, witness statements, peace officer statements, and other evidence obtained by the investigator will remain private pursuant to Minnesota Statute, Chapter 13.43, Subdivision 2. This means you can talk freely to a Sheriff's Office investigator without fear of revenge by any employee or fellow citizens.
Falsely Reporting Police Misconduct
Falsely reporting an act of police misconduct is a criminal offense.
Minnesota Statute 609.505, Subdivision 2. Falsely reporting police misconduct or police criminal activity is punishable as (1) a misdemeanor if the false information does not allege a criminal act; (2) a gross misdemeanor if the false information alleges a criminal act. Any person convicted will have to make full restitution not to exceed $3,000.