G.O. 02
LONGWOOD POLICE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDER
NUMBER: GO - 2
SUBJECT: CUSTOMS
EFFECTIVE: JANUARY 1, 2002
REVISED: MARCH 17, 2021
GENERAL ORDER
CUSTOMS
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I. PURPOSE:
The purpose of this General Order is to reaffirm traditional customs (etiquette) that shall
guide employees of the Longwood Police Department in certain situations.
II. COURTESY:
Courtesy is the accepted form of politeness among civilized people. Courtesy soothes the
personal relationship among individuals in all walks of life. Rules of courtesy and
etiquette are applicable to all employees of the Longwood Police Department.
III. DISCIPLINE:
Discipline is the state of order and obedience among Longwood Police Department
personnel resulting from training and respect for the values of the agency. Discipline does
not refer to regulations, punishments, or a state of subservience. Discipline is further
defined as the execution of orders resulting from intelligent and willing obedience, rather
than from habit or fear.
IV. CHAIN OF COMMAND:
Every effort should be made to utilize the chain of command. Use of the chain of
command promotes communication, morale and efficiency. Employees will familiarize
themselves with the chain of command and will use appropriate channels to transact
Department related business.
V. COURTESY OF RANK:
A. Supervisors will be addressed by their specific rank by subordinates. While it may
be permissible to address an immediate supervisor by his/her first name in a
private, non-formal atmosphere, it shall never be done while in public.
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B. When employees are promoted to a supervisory level they are no longer
responsible for their conduct alone, but bear the responsibility for a group of
people. Supervisors must conduct themselves in a manner that exemplifies the
philosophy and values of the Longwood Police Department.
VI. MILITARY PROTOCOL:
A. Ceremonial Protocol:
1. Command protocol at any ceremonial occasion will be vested in an
individual selected by the Chief of Police. This person, referred to as the
"Event Commander", will make all decisions regarding formations of
employees and whether or not hand salutes will be rendered. The Event
Commander will issue all orders to uniformed personnel.
2. The Longwood Police Department Honor Guard is bound by a set of rigid
regulations contained within the unit's standard operating procedures.
This General Order may or may not apply to Honor Guard operations.
Unless otherwise instructed in advance to do so, non-Honor Guard
employees will not obey commands issued by or to the Honor Guard at
ceremonial events.
B. Hand Salute:
1. The standard military hand salute will be the prescribed salute only for
uniformed employees who wear hats ("covers"). It will only be utilized
during formal ceremonies and only at the direction and command of the
Event Commander.
NOTE: The appropriateness of hand salutes at any ceremony will be
determined by the Event Commander based on the number of
uniformed employees wearing hats.
2. A hand salute will never be rendered with a casual, perfunctory, or `
flippant attitude. Salutes will be rendered quickly and smartly.
3. Uniformed individuals in a formation will not salute except upon the
order of the Event Commander. The proper command for a salute to be
rendered is "PRESENT ARMS". The proper command to release a salute
is "ORDER ARMS".
C. Hats:
1. A hat is defined as a campaign-style designed hat, motorcycle helmet
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2. Uniformed employees wearing hats are bound by the following
regulations:
a. A salute will never be rendered unless a hat is being worn
(exception: at no time will a salute be rendered while wearing a
baseball-style hat);
b. All hats will be removed before entering:
1. Places of worship;
2. Private residences;
3. A building to attend a meeting or reception; and,
4. A courtroom.
VII. FLAG COURTESY:
A. During any ceremony where a United States flag is hoisted or lowered, or when a
flag is passing in a parade or review, all Longwood Police Department employees
present at such an occasion should face the flag, stand at attention, and salute.
1. A civilian, non-uniformed employee will salute the flag by holding his/her
right hand over their heart.
2. A uniformed employee who is wearing correct headgear shall render a
standard military hand salute.
3. A uniformed employee who is hatless shall place their right hand over
their heart. A uniformed employee who is wearing a ball cap shall
remove the cap with their right hand and place both the hand and the
cap over their heart.
B. In a parade situation, when passing or being passed by an un-cased (unfurled)
flag, hand salutes will be rendered six paces before and held until six paces after
the flag has passed. Small flags carried by individuals or flags attached to
flagpoles or other permanent fixtures are excluded.
NOTE: A vehicle bearing a dignitary that displays the flag of the United States
or that of the Presidency, vice-presidency or Governor will be saluted
as indicated above.
C. When the National Anthem is played and the flag is not displayed, all employees
present should stand and face the direction or source of the music. Employees
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wearing hats will remove their hats. If the anthem is being played and the flag is
displayed, employees shall conform to the instructions as stated in paragraph "A"
above.
VIII. MOURNING PROTOCOL:
A. When the Chief of Police declares a period of mourning; he will also declare how
long the period of mourning will be in effect.
B. When the flag is flown at half-staff, it should first be hoisted to the peak of the
flag staff/mast for an instant and then lowered to the half-staff position. It will
be the first flag posted. Additional flags such as those for the State of Florida or
Longwood Police Department will be posted only after the United States flag has
been placed into position. These additional flags will be displayed at a lower level
than the United States flag.
C. Black mourning ribbons will be displayed on badges and identification cards for a
period of time determined by the Chief of Police.