8 Important Reminders for Protecting Yourself on the Job

I wanted to take a moment to provide an overview of various topics that members of the Executive Board frequently deal with.

1. Department Issued Cell Phones: You have zero expectation of privacy with respect to that device. Do NOT use your department cell phone for personal business. Do NOT send any text messages or emails that you would not be comfortable reading to a jury. If you are in patrol and are not required to possess a department cell phone 24/7, turn the phone off at the end of the shift and put it in your locker.

2. Department Email: Unless you work in an assignment that specifically requires otherwise, you are NOT required to check and respond to your department email while you are off duty.

3. Off-Duty Telephone Calls: You are NOT required to speak to IAB or the District Attorney's Office while you are off duty. It is not uncommon for IAB to call officers on their day off, or while they are off duty, to deliver the great news that they are the subject of an investigation and have been invited to visit them for a compelled interview. The same goes for calls from DA's. If you receive calls on your personal phone while you are off duty, let them go to voicemail. Keep this in mind: No one from Metro or the DA's office will call you on your day off to deliver good news.

4. Leave: FMLA, Administrative Leave, Military Leave, Professional Leave, etc. does not count towards the number of officers that can be off on vacation each shift. The station has the ability and the approval to call in officers for overtime to cover squad shortages.

5. At-Fault Accidents: If you are involved in a vehicle collision, you are required to complete a report in Blue Team. If you are determined to be the "at fault" driver, limit your narrative. "I was traveling northbound on Boulder Highway approaching Tropicana Avenue when I collided with a blue Toyota. I advised dispatch that I was involved in an accident. I checked the occupants of the Toyota, who refused medical. My supervisor responded along with a traffic unit who conducted the investigation." We will address the details of the accident in the board.

6. AI: Do not, under any circumstances, use AI to author your reports.

7. Personal Cell Phones: Do NOT use your personal cell phone while you are on BWC. Do not put yourself in a position where your personal cell phone could be discoverable in a criminal case.

8. Official Reports: If you are completing a Use of Force Report, Arrest Report, ICR Narrative, etc., review your BWC to ensure the information you are memorializing is accurate. NEVER author a Use of Force Report without first reviewing your BWC. If you are making an arrest after a dynamic incident, take the time to review your BWC. I promise you, defense attorneys are reviewing it and will destroy you on the stand if your memory is not consistent with the BWC.

Thank you for taking the time to check this out. If you have any questions reach out. Our phones are on 24/7.

Stay safe.