216 – Work Hours

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I. Purpose

This policy defines an employee’s workday, commonly referred to as “on-duty” or “off-duty” status.

II. Policy

Harris County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) employees will have regular hours assigned to them for active duty each day, and when not so engaged, they will be considered “off-duty”. However, employees will be considered subject to duty as needed. The fact that an employee is technically “off-duty” will not relieve the employee from the responsibility of taking appropriate law enforcement action regarding any matter coming to their attention at any time.
The number of hours constituting a standard workweek for a Harris County employee will be 40 hours. The workweek will begin at 12:01 A.M. Saturday and end at 12:00 midnight Friday.

III. Procedure

A. When an Employee is Considered “On-Duty” and “Off-Duty”:

Note: The below reference to leaving Harris County refers to those employees leaving Harris County at the end of their assigned duty hours or shift. You remain on-duty if you leave Harris County as a direct result of your official duties as authorized by HCSO policy or procedures.

  1. County-wide Assignment (e.g., Vehicular Crimes Division, Crime Scene Unit, Canine, etc.):

You are considered on-duty when you sign-on (SO) and are in Harris County. You are considered off-duty when you go off-duty (OD) or leave Harris County.

  1. Assignment to a District:

You are considered on-duty when you SO and are in the district of assignment. You are considered off-duty when you OD and leave the district. If you live in the district, you are off-duty when you OD.

  1. Assignment to a Specific Location:

When you arrive at the location, you are considered on-duty. When you leave the location, “for the day,” you are considered off-duty.

  1. Off-duty or on call and receive an assignment: (e.g., a shooting scene, surveillance, etc.):

You are considered on-duty when you SO and are enroute to that location. You are considered off-duty when you OD from the assignment.

  1. Off-duty and come across an emergency that requires you to take law enforcement action:

You are considered on-duty during your law enforcement actions. You are considered off-duty when those law enforcement actions cease.

Revision

This policy has been revised on the below listed dates:

April 21, 2009
May 21, 2014
June 9, 2021
March 6, 2025 (Technical Changes)

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